NSG 1610 - Neurological System/Assessment Flashcards
What is the function of the cerebral cortex?
divides into left and right hemispheres with 4 lobes
What is the function of the basal ganglia?
controls autonomic associated movements (i.e., swinging arms while walking)
What is the function of the thalamus?
main relay station - sensory pathway to the brainstem and spinal cord
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
control center - temperature, HR, BP, sleep, pituitary gland (hormones), coordinates autonomic nervous system
What is the function of the cerebellum?
motor coordination and voluntary movements - equilibrium, muscle tone, coordinate and smooth movement
What is the function of the brainstem?
collection of nerve fibres, midbrain, pons, medulla
What is the function of the spinal cord?
main pathway for ascending and descending - connects the brain to the spinal nerves
what are the protective mechanisms of the brain?
CSF, blood-brain barrier, and meninges
What are the 12 cranial nerves?
I - olfactory
II - optic
III - oculomotor
IV - trochlear
V - trigeminal
VI - abducens
VII - facial
VIII - acoustic
IX - glossopharyngeal
X - vagus
XI - spinal
XII - hypoglossal
What is the function of cranial nerves I and II? Are they sensory, mixed, or motor?
- both are sensory
- smell and visual acuity
What is the function of cranial nerves III and IV? Are they sensory, mixed, or motor?
- Mixed and motor
- functions to control pupillary reflex and extraocular eye movement
- Controls lateral and downward movement of the eyeball
What is the function of cranial nerves V and VI? Are they sensory, mixed, or motor?
- mixed and motor
- sensations of the cornea, skin of the face, and nasal mucosa
- controls lateral movement of the eyeball
What is the function of cranial nerves VII and VIII? Are they sensory, mixed, or motor?
- mixed and sensory
- VII motor - movement and strength of the facial muscles
- VII sensory - taste on the anterior 2/3 of the tongue
- ability to hear
What is the function of cranial nerves IX and X? Are they sensory, mixed, or motor?
- both are mixed
- swallowing, allows the soft palate to rise symmetrically and the uvula to remain in midline & taste (sensory)
- pharynx/larynx for talking and swallowing (motor) & carotid body and carotid reflex (sensory)
What is the function of cranial nerves XI and XII? Are they sensory, mixed, or motor?
- both motor
- controls movement of the trapezius and sternomastoid muscles, which should be equal and strong
- supplies the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there? How many within each spinal region?
- 31 pairs
- Cervical (8)
- Thoracic (12)
- Lumbar (5)
- Sacral (5)
- Coccygeal (1)
What are dermatomes?
level of the skin innervated by specific spinal nerves
Dermatomes are the area of skin supplied by cutaneous branches of a single cranial or spinal nerve
What are the differences between somatic and autonomic nerve fibres?
- somatic is skeletal, voluntary muscles
- autonomic is smooth, involuntary muscles
What is the purpose of the sensory pathways in the CNS?
Focuses on skin, muscles, tendons, organs, and mucous membranes
Allow our body to monitor conscious sensations (perception of temperature and pain), internal organ functions, reflexes and body positions
What are assessing in the posterior (dorsal) columns of the brain?
Assessing the client’s ability to determine position without looking (proprioception), vibration (striking a tuning fork and placing it near either a toe or finger joint)
what is stereogenesis?
testing a client’s ability to close their hand around a common/familiar object and tell us what it is with their eyes closed
what are we assessing in the spinothalamic tract?
Assessing the client’s ability to have transmitting sensations of pain, temperature, crude or light touch (transmitted to the thalamus which travels to sensory cortex of the brain for interpretation)
what is the function of the corticospinal/pyramidal tract?
mediates voluntary movement, skilled and purposeful movements
what is the purpose of the extrapyramidal tracts?
maintains our muscle tone and allows us to have controlled body movements (no jerking or spasticity)
what is the function of the cerebellar system?
coordinates our movements, maintains equilibrium, and helps us to maintain posture
what is the function of the upper motor neurons?
influence or modify lower motor neurons and are originating from the upper spinal cord
what is the function of the lower motor neurons?
located mostly in the PNS and have control of the trunk/legs, along with some arm movements
Which part of the spine is associated with the biceps and brachioradialis reflex?
C5-C6