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AU17: Gen Pathology > Neuropath > Flashcards

Neuropath Flashcards

1
Q

_______ are the functional units of the brain.

A

Neurons

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2
Q

The _____________ create the framework that supports the neurons.

A

Glial cells

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3
Q

Granular basophilic cytoplasmic material (RER) found in the neuron is called _____________.

A

Nissl substance

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4
Q

__________ are seen in hypoxia/ischemic injury to neurons due to cytoplasmic eosinophilia and nuclei pyknosis.

A

Red neurons

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5
Q

___________ are the major supporting cells in the brain.

A

Astrocytes

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6
Q

How do astrocytes respond to injury?

A

Reactive gliosis - will always reduce function

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7
Q

________________ form and maintain myelin in the central nervous system.

A

Oligodendrocytes

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8
Q

_____________ line the ventricles are vary from ciliated columnar to flattened cuboidal cells.

A

Ependymal cells

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9
Q

_____________ are derived from monocytes and appear as rod cells in some infections (Neurosyphilis).

A

Microglia

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10
Q

What happens to neurons and astrocytes in response to injury?

A

Neurons: shrinkage and degeneration

Astrocytes: repair/scar formation; Rosenthal fibers in chronic gliosis

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11
Q

The __________ produces cerebrospinal fluid.

A

Choroid plexus

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12
Q

What are the two mechanisms for cerebral edema?

A
  1. Vasogenic: blood-brain barrier disruption

2. Cytotoxic: secondary to glial or endothelial injury

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13
Q

T/F: Brain swelling is a major factor leading to increased intracranial pressure.

A

True

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14
Q

What are some classic indications of raised intracranial pressure?

A
  1. Headache
  2. Vomiting
  3. Papilledema (swelling of optic disk)
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15
Q

What is a brain herniation?

A

Part of brain is displaced to where it shouldn’t be - result of brain swelling.

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16
Q

Which brain herniation would result in the cerebellum being displaced?

A

Tonsillar herniation

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17
Q

An accumulation of excess CSF within the ventricular system is called a _____________.

A

Hydrocephalus

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18
Q

What are the two possible causes of hydrocephalus?

A
  1. Decreased CSF resorption: obstructed flow

2. Increased CSF production: rare tumor

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19
Q

T/F: Both cerebral edema and hydrocephalus increase intracranial pressure through similar methods.

A

False

Edema: brain swelling
Hydrocephalus: increased CSF volume in ventricles

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20
Q

T/F: Increased cranial pressure can lead to herniation.

A

True

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21
Q

What are the three common pathogenic mechanisms for a stroke?

A
  1. Thrombus occludes vessel
  2. Moving thrombus (embolus) occludes vessel
  3. Rupture of vessel
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22
Q

____________ is the most common underlying cause of brain infarction.

A

Atherosclerosis

Especially of MCA

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23
Q

What is the progression of brain infarction like?

A 
First 12 hours - normal
24-36 hrs - red neurons and neutrophils
3rd day - macrophages
1 month - cavitated lesions
6 moths - smooth walled cavity

Liquefactive necrosis!

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24
Q

What are the characteristics of acute brain infarction?

A

Red neurons and neutrophils

25
__________ are a characteristic of subacute brain infarction.
Macrophages
26
What are the most common sites of intraparenchymal brain hemorrhage?
Basal ganglia and pons
27
What is the most common cause/site of a subarachnoid brain hemorrhage?
Rupture of berry aneurysms on MCA in circle of Willis
28
What is the most common vascular malformation leading to a brain hemorrhage?
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
29
What is the leading cause of traumatic brain injury?
Motor vehicle accident
30
An __________ is often the result of blunt force skull fracture and involves the rupture of a meningeal artery (arterial bleeding).
Epidural hematoma
31
An epidural hematoma results in a _____________, where the affected is still conscious before eventually falling unconscious.
Lucid interval
32
A subdural hematoma results in __________ bleeding between the dura and arachnoid membranes.
Venous
33
A contusion directly under the trauma point is a ________ lesion, while a contusion opposite the impact is called a ____________ lesion.
Coup; countrecoup
34
T/F: In a gunshot injury, the entry wound often causes more damage than the exit wound.
False Exit wound is worse
35
Acute bacterial meningitis spreads through the _____________.
Subarachnoid spaces
36
Acute bacterial meningitis is caused by ____________.
Pyogenic bacteria
37
T/F: Brain abscesses can be caused by bacterial spread from dental roots.
True
38
What type of meningitis is caused by bacteria in soil and bird poop?
Cryptococcal meningitis (chronic)
39
T/F: Encephalitis is caused by a variety of bacteria.
False Viral (herpes, arboviruses, HIV, etc.)
40
What is characteristic of a viral brain infection?
Cowdry type A viral inclusions (Herpes)
41
T/F: A neutrophil response will be seen with encephalitis.
False Lymphocytes for virus
42
What is the most common demyelinating disorder?
Multiple sclerosis
43
Patients with MS will have __________, irregular areas of demyelination.
MS plaques
44
__________ is the most common cause of dementia.
Alzheimer’s
45
T/F: Alzheimer’s disease is often sporadic.
True Rarely familial
46
Alzheimer’s will show ____________ outside of the cells, and __________ within the cells.
Plaques; tangles
47
____________ involves degeneration of dopamine-secreting neurons of substantia nigra in the midbrain.
Parkinson’s Disease
48
Parkinson’s Disease is characterized by eosinophilic inclusions known as ___________.
Lewy bodies
49
T/F: Patients with Parkinson’s will have an emotionless face.
True
50
____________ is a hereditary disorder.
Huntington’s Disease
51
The gene for Huntington’s Disease is located on which chromosome?
Chromosome 4
52
T/F: With brain tumors, location is more important than tumor type.
True
53
T/F: Brain tumors often metastasize outside of the CNS.
False
54
T/F: Most brain tumors are metastasized from somewhere else.
True
55
What is the most common adult brain tumor?
Astrocytoma Cerebral hemisphere
56
What is special about ependymomas?
Adult brain tumors that will bring blood supply with them via perivascular pseudorosettes
57
Cellular whorls and psammoma bodies are characteristic of a ____________.
Meningioma Can cause lumps in the head
58
T/F: Medulloblastoma is a common brain cancer seen in children.
True
59
Homer-Wright rosettes are characteristic of ___________.
Medulloblastoma

AU17: Gen Pathology (22 decks)

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