Physiology Flashcards
CSF
Cerebrospinal Fluid
CSF: Composed mainly of what?
Water
CSF: Produced from where?
Secretory epithelium of the chorioid plexus
CSF: In the CNS what is the volume of CSF present?
150ml
CSF: Function
Supplies water, amino acids and ions whilst removing metabolites
CSF: 3 functions
Mechanical Protection - shock-absorbing medium that protects brain tissue so that the brain floats within the cranial cavity
Homeostatic Function - pH of the CSF affects pulmonary ventilation and cerebral blood flow to transport hormones
Circulation - medium for minor exchange of nutrients and waste products between the blood and brain tissue
Embryology of the Brain and Ventricular System: At 3 weeks what has developed?
The neural canal gives rise to the adult brain and ventricles and the spinal cord central canal
Embryology of the Brain and Ventricular System: The chorioid plexus develops from what?
Cells in the walls of the ventricles
Embryology of the Brain and Ventricular System: How is the chorioid fissure formed?
Developing arteries invaginate the roof of the ventricle
Embryology of the Brain and Ventricular System: How is the chorioid plexus formed?
Involuted ependymal cells along the vessels enlarge into the villi
Embryology of the Brain and Ventricular System: Chorioid plexus in the adult brain is found within what?
3rd, 4th and lateral ventricles
Chorioid Plexus
Network of capillaries in the walls of the ventricles
CSF Production: Secretion involves the transport of what to where?
Ions - Sodium, Chloride and Bicarbonate
Across the epithelium from the blood to the CSF
CSF Production: Secretion is dependent on what?
Sodium transport across the cells into the CSF
CSF Production: Electrical gradient with Sodium allows the synchronised transport of what?
Cl-
CSF Production: CSF has a lower what (3) than blood plasma?
K+
Glucose
Protein
CSF Production: CSF has a higher what (2) than blood plasma?
Sodium
Chloride
The Ventricular System: What are the ventricles names?
Lateral ventricles
Third Ventricle
Fourth Ventricle
The Ventricular System: CSF Flow - Intraventricular Foramen of Monroe
Allows flow from the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle
The Ventricular System: CSF Flow - Cerebral Aqueduct of Sylvius
Allows flow from the Third Ventricle to the Fourth Ventricle
The Ventricular System: CSF Flow - Foramen of Magendie
Median aperture that allows flow from the Fourth Ventricle to the Subarachnoid Space
The Ventricular System: CSF Flow - Foramina of Luschka
Lateral aperture that allows flow from the Fourth Ventricle to the Subarachnoid Space
CSF Circulation: The CSF is originally formed where?
Chorioid Plexus of each lateral ventricle
CSF Circulation: Flows from the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle how?
Through two narrow openings in the interventricular foramina
CSF Circulation: Where is CSF added in third ventricle?
Roof
CSF Circulation: CSF flows from the third ventricle to where and how?
Into the fourth ventricle through the cerebral aqueduct of the midbrain
CSF Circulation: CSF enters the subarachnoid space how?
Through 3 openings in the roof of the fourth ventricle - single median aperture and paired lateral apertures
CSF Circulation: After the subarachnoid space the CSF circulates into what?
Central canal of the spinal cord
CSF Circulation: Where does CSF flow through the subarachnoid space and ventricular system?
Between the Pia and Dura Mater
CSF Circulation: CSF returns to venous blood via what?
Arachnoid granulations into the superior sagittal sinus
CSF Circulation: Interstitial fluid of the brain is composed mostly of what?
Circulating CSF
CSF Circulation: Interstitial fluid of the brain drains to the CSF via what?
Perivascular space
Blood Brain Barrier: Structure
Highly selective barrier between the systemic circulation and the brains extracellular fluid formed by endothelial cells
Blood Brain Barrier: BBB consists of what three structures?
Capillary endothelium
Basal membrane
Perivascular astrocytes
Blood Brain Barrier: Tight junctions between the brain endothelial cells function
Prevent paracellular movement of undesirable molecules
Blood Brain Barrier: What cells prevent the crossing of CSF into the blood?
End foot of the astrocytes
Blood Brain Barrier: What parts of the brain do not have a BBB?
Circumventricular organs
Pineal gland
Blood Brain Barrier: Main function
Protect the brain from harmful neurotoxins and helps prevent infection from spreading to the brain
Pathologies of the Ventricles, Chorioid Plexus and CSF: Examples of Tumours (3)
Colloid Cyst
Ependymomas
Choroid Plexus Tumours
Pathologies of the Ventricles, Chorioid Plexus and CSF: Colloid Cysts are often found where?
At the interventricular foramen
Pathologies of the Ventricles, Chorioid Plexus and CSF: Ependymomas arise from where?
Ependymal cells lining the ventricles
Ventricular Haemorrhage
Accumulation of blood within the ventricles
Ventricular Haemorrhage: Epidural Haematoma
Arterial bleed between the skull and dura mater
Ventricular Haemorrhage: Subdural Haematoma
Venous bleed between the dura mater and arachnoid
Hydrocephalus
Accumulation of the CSF in the ventricular system or around the brain causing ventricular enlargement and increased CSF pressure
Hydrocephalus: Aetiologies (2)
Obstruction of drainage
Overproduction of CSF
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Pseudotumour Cerebri: What type of condition is this?
Enigmatic
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Pseudotumour Cerebri: Clinical Presentation (2)
Headache
Visual disturbances
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Pseudotumour Cerebri: Why do visual disturbances develop?
Papilloedema
Papilloedema
Optic disc swelling due to increased intracranial pressure transmitted to the subarachnoid space surrounding the optic nerve
Papilloedema: Clinical Presentation (4)
Enlarged blind spot
Blurring of vision
Visual obscurations
Loss of vision
Aqueous Humor
Specialised fluid that bathes the structures within the eye
Aqueous Humor: Function
Provides oxygen and metabolites
Aqueous Humor: Ascorbate has what function?
Powerful antioxidant
Aqueous Humor: What is the function of bicarbonate in this?
Buffers the H+ produced in the cornea and lens by anaerobic glycolysis
Aqueous Humor: Produced in an … dependent process?
Energy
Aqueous Humor: Produced from what?
Epithelial layer of the ciliary body
Aqueous Humor: Secreted into where from the ciliary body?
Posterior chamber of the eye then flows to the anterior chamber
Aqueous Humor: Drained into what and how?
Into the scleral venous sinus via a trabecular meshwork and the canal of Schlemm
Aqueous Humor: Where is the canal of Schlemm located?
In the angle between the iris and cornea iridocorneal angle
Aqueous Humor: Small amount diffuses through what to where?
Vitreous to be absorbed across the retinal pigment epithelium
Aqueous Humor: Ionic Composition - Function of Carbonic Anhydrase
Hydration of Carbon Dioxide to form Bicarbonate and H+
Aqueous Humor: Ionic Composition - What happens to Bicarbonate and H+?
Transported across the basolateral membranes of pigmented epithelial cells into the interstitial fluid in exchange for Chloride and Sodium
Aqueous Humor: Ionic Composition - Cl- and Na+ Ions that enter cells undergo what?
Diffusion via gap junctions between pigmented and non-pigmented cells
Aqueous Humor: Ionic Composition - Cl- and Na+ are transported out of non-pigmented cells into aqueous humor how?
Na+/K+/2Cl- Transporters
Aqueous Humor: Ionic Composition - K+ ions leaving the cell are recycled how?
Na+/K+ pump and Cl- channels
Aqueous Humor: How does water move?
AQP1 aquaporins of non-pigmented cells and via the paracellular cell pathway
Glaucoma: Occurs due to what?
Increased intra-ocular pressure due to imbalance between the rates of secretion and removal of aqueous humor
Glaucoma: How can we treat this?
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Glaucoma: How do Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors work?
Reduce the production of aqueous humor to reduce ocular pressure
Glaucoma: Examples of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors (2)
Dorzolamide
Acetazolomide
Ciliary Epithelium: The ciliary body and posterior surface of the iris is covered by what?
Two juxtaposed layers of epithelial cells:
1. Forward continuation of the pigment epithelium of the retina
2. Inner non-pigmented epithelial layer
Microbiology: Bacterial Conjunctivitis - Causative organisms in neonates (3)
Staphylococcus aureus
Neisseria gonorrhoea
Chlamydia trachomatis
Microbiology: Bacterial Conjunctivitis - Causative Organisms in patients that are not neonates (3)
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Microbiology: Bacterial Conjunctivitis - Management options (3)
Topical Antibiotics - Chloramphenicol, Fusidic Acid and Gentamicin
Microbiology: Bacterial Conjunctivitis - Chloramphenicol does not manage what bacteria?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Microbiology: Bacterial Conjunctivitis - Chloramphenicol is avoided in what cases? (2)
Allergy
Aplastic anaemia
Microbiology: Bacterial Conjunctivitis - Chloramphenicol Effective against what bacteria? (3)
Streptococcus
Staphylococcus
Haemophilus influenza
Microbiology: Bacterial Conjunctivitis - Chloramphenicol has a risk of what side effect?
Gray Baby if the dose is too high
Microbiology: Bacterial Conjunctivitis - Chloramphenicol why does this present with Gray Baby?
Neonata cannot process the drug as the liver is immature and can cause hypotension
Microbiology: Bacterial Conjunctivitis - Fusidic Acid treats what bacteria?
Staphylococcus aureus
Microbiology: Bacterial Conjunctivitis - Gentamicin treats what bacteria?
Coliforms
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Microbiology: Viral Conjunctivitis - Causative organisms (3)
Adenovirus
Herpes simplex
Herpes zoster
Microbiology: Viral Conjunctivitis - Management
Ganciclovir
Microbiology: Viral Conjunctivitis - Ganciclovir Mechanism of Action
Inhibits viral DNA synthesis as base analogue mimics Guanine
Microbiology: Viral Conjunctivitis - Ganciclovir application
Used for dendritic ulcers of the cornea
Microbiology: Chlamydial Conjunctivitis - Management
Topical Oxytetracycline
Microbiology: Chlamydial Conjunctivitis - Suspect in what cases?
Bilateral conjunctivitis in young children
Microbiology: Chlamydial Conjunctivitis - May have what complication?
Subtarsal scarring
Microbial Keratitis: Bacterial Keratitis - Why is admission required?
For hourly drops
Microbial Keratitis: Bacterial Keratitis - Usually associated with what? (2)
Corneal pathology
Contact lens wearing
Microbial Keratitis: Bacterial Keratitis - Management options (2)
4-Quinolone e.g Ofloxacin
Gentamicin + Cefuroxime
Microbial Keratitis: Bacterial Keratitis - 4-Quinolones does not treat what bacteria?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Microbial Keratitis: Herpetic Keratitis - If recurrent can result in what?
Reduced corneal sensation
Microbial Keratitis: Herpetic Keratitis - Management
Topical Antiviral Ganciclovir
Microbial Keratitis: Herpetic Keratitis - Risk of Ganciclovir management
Can cause corneal melt and perforation of the cornea
Microbial Keratitis: Adenoviral Keratitis - Usually follows what? (2)
URTI
Conjunctivitis
Microbial Keratitis: Adenoviral Keratitis - Management
May require steroids to speed up recovery if chronic
Microbial Keratitis: Fungal Keratitis - Seen in what patients? (2)
Those who work outside
Ocular surface disease
Microbial Keratitis: Fungal Keratitis - Management
Topical Anti-fungals - Natamycin or Amphotericin
Keratitis: Causative amoebic organism
Acanthomoeba
Keratitis: Management if Acanthomoeba causative organism (3)
Polyhexamethylene Biguanide
Propamide Brolene
Chlorhexadine
Pre-Septal Cellulitis: Often associated with what structures?
Paranasal snuses
Pre-Septal Cellulitis: Diagnostic test
CT scan to identify orbital abscesses
Pre-Septal Cellulitis: Clinical Presentation (4)
Painful
Proptosis - bulging of one or both eyes
Pyrexial
Sight Threatening
Orbital Cellulitis: Direct extension from what?
The sinus or focal orbital infection
Orbital Cellulitis: When is a scan required?
Any suggestion of restriction of the muscles or optic nerve dysfunction
Orbital Cellulitis: Management
Broad spectrum antibiotics - if an abscess is present this requires drainage
Endophthalmitis
Infection of the inside of the eye
Endophthalmitis: Clinical Presentation (3)
Painful
Decreasing vision
Incredibly red eye
Endophthalmitis: Management
Intraviteal - Amikacin or Ceftazidime or Vancomycin
Topical antibiotics
Endophthalmitis: Most common Causative Organism
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Chorioretinitis: When does Cytomegalovirus Retinitis present?
During AIDS
Chorioretinitis: Viral aetiologies (2)
Herpes Simplex Virus
Herpes Zoster Virus
Chorioretinitis: Fungal aetiologies
Candida
Chorioretinitis: Parasitic aetiologies (2)
Toxoplasma gondii
Toxocara canis
HSK-HSV Chorioetinitis: Alternate Name
Acute Retinal Necrosis
Chorioetinitis: Endogenous Type is caused by what?
Candida and Aspergillus
Chorioetinitis: Endogenous Type - Associated with what? (2)
Bacterial endocarditis
Indwelling catheters
Chorioetinitis: Endogenous Type - How is this diagnosed?
Imaging shows Roth spots with disseminated embolic bacterial abscesses
Chorioetinitis: Toxoplasmosis - Causative organism
Toxoplasmosis gondii
Chorioetinitis: Toxoplasmosis - Aetiologies (2)
Contaminated soil
Undercooked meat
Chorioetinitis: Toxoplasmosis - Clinical presentation
Mild Flu-like illness followed by cyst formation in the latent phase
Chorioetinitis: Toxoplasmosis - Management when sight threatening (2)
Clindamycin
Azithromycin
Chorioetinitis: Toxocara Canis - Description of the organism
Parasitic nemotode that affects cats and dogs
Chorioetinitis: Toxocara Canis - Unable to do what in humans?
Replicate
Chorioetinitis: Toxocara Canis - How does this cause irreversible vision loss?
Forms granulomas
Chorioetinitis: Toxocara Canis - Diagnostic test
ELISA test on the serum
Antibiotics: Chloramphenicol - Mechanism of action
Inhibits Peptidyl Transferase Enzyme
Antibiotics: Chloramphenicol - Bacteriocidal action on what bacteria? (2)
Streptococcus
Haemophilus influenzae
Antibiotics: Chloramphenicol - Bacteriostatic action on what bacteria?
Staphylococcus
Antibiotics: Chloramphenicol - Side effects (3)
Allergy
Irreversible Aplastic Anaemia
Gray baby syndrome
Antibiotics: Inhibition of Cell Wall Synthesis - Two Types
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Antibiotics: Inhibition of Cell Wall Synthesis - Used for what bacteria in Dacrocystitis? (2)
Streptococcus pyogenes
Staphylococcus aureus
Antibiotics: Inhibition of Nucleic Acid Synthesis - Example of type of drug
Quinolones - Ofloxacin
Vision: The pattern of the object must fall onto what?
The vision receptors - rods and cones
Vision: The pattern of the object must fall onto the vision receptors to enable what?
Accomodation
The Visual Field: How is binocular visual field generated?
Monocular visual fields (+/- 45 degrees) are overlapped
The Visual Field: The retina is divided in half relative to what?
The fovea
The Visual Field: Two halves of the visual field retina
Nasal hemiretina
Temporal hemiretina
The Visual Field: What happens to the nerve fibres of the nasal hemiretina?
Crosses at the optic chiasma
Visual Field: Visual Field Mapping involves what structures? (4)
Retina
Lateral Geniculate Nucleus
Superior Colliculus
Cortex
Visual Field: Why is the central field over-represented?
As the magnification factor is not constant
Visual Field: Primary Visual Cortex - In this the eye-specific inputs are segregated where?
Layer 4
Visual Field: Primary Visual Cortex - At the primary visual area vision is largely segregated into what?
Ocular dominance columns
Visual Field: Primary Visual Cortex - Each column in the primary visual area is dominated by what?
Input from one of the two eyes
Visual Field: Primary Visual Cortex - Cells outside of layer 4 receive input from where?
Both eyes
Visual Perception: Ambylopia can be caused by what from infancy?
Strabismus - wandering eye
Hebb’s Postulate
When the axon of cell A is near enough to excite cell B and is repeatedly fired, growth and metabolic changes cause increased efficiency in cell A
Retina: Direct Pathway Stages (3)
- Photoreceptors
- Bipolar Cells
- Ganglion Cells
Retina: Function of horizontal cells
Receive input from photoreceptors and project to other photoreceptors and bipolar cells
Retina: Function of amacrine cells
Receive input from bipolar cells and project to ganglion cells, bipolar cells and other amacrine cells
Photoreceptors: Two types
Rods
Cones
Photoreceptors: Function
Converts electromagnetic radiation to neural signals via transduction
Photoreceptors: Four regions
Outer segment
Inner segment
Cell body
Synaptic terminal
Photoreceptors: Phototransduction - The resting membrane potential is …
Depolarised