Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

1034 > Proprioception and balance > Flashcards

Proprioception and balance Flashcards

1
Q

What is proprioception

A

Sensory function for detecting and identifying the relative position of body parts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the key components of proprioception

A

Muscle spindles
Golgi tendon organ

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe the Golgi tendon organ

A

Located in the junction of a tendon and a muscle
Has a thin capsule of connective tissue that encloses tendon fascicles
Sensory nerve endings entwined within the collagen fibres
Monitor excessive tension
Results in the tendon reflex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe the muscle spindles

A

Proprioceptors detected in the muscle belly
More plentiful in muscles that produce fine and controlled movements
Made of intrafusal fibres - sensory nerve endings that wrap around 3-10 specialised muscle fibres, wrapped in connective tissue capsule anchored to endo and perimysium
Monitor changes in muscle length
Influence muscle tone
Results in a stretch reflex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Where is the primary motor cortex found

A

Found in the frontal lobe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Where is the somatosensory cortex found

A

Found in the parietal lobe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the motor areas and their functions

A

Premotor cortex - preparation, planning and controlling movements
Supplementary motor area - plans single movements, sequenced movements and coordinates bilateral movements
Primary motor cortex - gives conscious commands to muscles to perform movements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the cerebellum

A

Does not initiate motor output
Modifies motor commands to make movements more adaptive and accurate
Maintains posture and balance
Coordination of voluntary movements
Motor learning
Cognitive functions
Damage = cerebellar ataxia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe the basal ganglia

A

Does not initiate motor output
Receives intended motor output from the motor cortex, weighs the signals and determines the actions to inhibit or disinhibit
Helps initiate and terminate movement
Suppresses unwanted movement
Regulates tone
Damaged in Parkinson’s disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the roles of descending tracts

A

Motor info/signals
Descend from brain to spinal cord
Main role is to transmit motor signals to the effectors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe a 2 neuron reflex arc

A

Cannot be influenced by consciousness
No neuron between the afferent and efferent
Protective as it prevents excessive stretch to the muscle
E.g. Patella

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe a 3 neuron reflex arc

A

Can be influenced by conscious thought
E.g. taking hold of a hot plate but dont want to lose the food

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What do reflexes assess

A

Allow us to assess the integrity of the nervous system
A normal response means its intact
No response or abnormal response shows the neural pathway has been affected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the reflex gradings

A

0 means no response
1+ means diminished, low normal
2+ means average, normal
3+ means brisker than average
4+ very brisk, hyperactive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the reflex responses

A

Absent - lower motor neuron
Present - normal
Brisk - upper motor neuron?
Hyper-reflexive - upper motor neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is reflex testing

A

Biceps - C5/6
Brachioradialis - C6/7
Triceps - C7/8
Patellar - L3/4
Ankle - S1/2

17
Q

What is the Babinski reflex

A

Plantar response
Patient supine, well supported and comfortable to ensure they are fully relaxed
- use the end of the reflex hammer
- using a continuous movement at quick speed, draw the end upwards along the lateral border of the foot
- at the end of the 5th toe, move medially across the ball of the foot
- note toe movement

18
Q

What are the 5 reflex tests

A

Babinski
Stereognosis (UL)
Mirroring
Joint position sense
Co-ordination (ataxia)

19
Q

What is stereognosis and how is it carried out

A

Ability to recognise an object through touch alone
Model in sitting
Introduce/consent/procedure
Model closes eyes
Place an object in one of their hands
Ask them to feel it and tell you what it is
Repeat 2/3 times with different objects
Repeat in other hand

20
Q

How is mirroring carried out

A

Model sitting or supine
Introduce/consent/procedure
Model closes eyes
Place an upper or lower limb in a position
Ask model to place opposite limb in the same position

21
Q

How is joint position sense carried out

A

Model in long sitting
Introduce/consent/procedure
Demonstrate with thumb or big toe
Passively move limb into more flexion or extension
Ask model if its more bent or straight
Model closes eyes
Repeat on both sides

22
Q

How is upper limb co-ordination testing carried out

A

Finger to nose test
Patient supine of sitting in a chair
Therapist faces them
Therapist holds finger in front of patient at eye level
Eyes open, patient touches own nose then the therapists finger
Repeat faster if accurate
Change position of finger and repeat the test

23
Q

How is lower limb co-ordination testing carried out

A

Heel-shin test
Patient supine or sitting
Patient asked to place heel of one limb on opposite limb
Patient should run heel down shin towards ankle
Can be repeated and with increasing speed
Can also be repeated with eyes closed

24
Q

What is static balance

A

Ability to maintain the body in some fixed posture with COG over the BOS and body at rest

25
Q

What is dynamic balance

A

Ability to transfer the vertical projection of the COG around the supporting BOS whilst the body is in motion

26
Q

What is anticipatory/preparatory postural adjustment

A

Activation of postural muscles before a self initiated/expected movement begins
Involves motor planning feedforward to adapt motor and sensory systems on the basis of previous experience
Influenced by cortex but regulated by brainstem

27
Q

What are reactive postural adjustments

A

Response to external perturbation, identified movement strategies
Basis of ongoing visual, vestibular and somatosensory info

28
Q

What are muscle synergies

A

Pre-programmed muscle activation patterns of groups of muscles so they are constraint to act together as a unit
Ensures forces generated at one joint for balance does not produce instability elsewhere in the body

29
Q

What are the muscle synergies

A

Ankle strategy
Hip strategy
Stepping strategy
Grasping
UL extension/abduction
Trunk flexion

30
Q

Causes of problems with balance

A

Motor control problems
Sensory problems
Muscle length and strength
Joint ROM/posture
Perceptual
Environment
Pain
Adaptive/habitual
Learnt non-use

31
Q

What are the balance tests

A

Rombergs test
Berg balance score
Tinetti
Force plates
Clinical test for sensory interaction on balance
Brunel balance assessment
Timed get up and go
Motor assessment scale
Timed unsupported steady stand

32
Q

How is the Romberg test carried out

A

Model in standing, feet shoulder-width apart, arms by side or crossed over chest
Eyes open, stand for 30s
Repeat with eyes closed
Repeat with one foot in front of the other

33
Q

How is the berg balance test carried out

A

14-point test with a maximum score of 14 for each point
Max score of 56
Score below 45 indicates risk of falls
Stroke patients adjusted to below 49

1034 (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions