S1) Other Groupwork Questions/ Videos Flashcards
Grey matter vs White matter
BRAIN DUMP!!!!
Spinal cord: Funiculi, Tracts, Fasciculi
BRAIN DUMP!!!
Overview of spinal reflexes, ascending + descending injuries
Normally sensory/ afferent neurone carries info from sensory receptors → synapse with 2nd neurone → synpase with 3rd neurone which goes to cerebral cortex to get conscious perception → upper motor neurone → this controls lower motor neurone → acts on effector
In reflexes, it occurs in the spinal cord, skipping the brain (no conscious control) .: goes from dorsal root synapses with cell body of efferent neurone/ ventral root at the ventral horn of spinal cord grey matter
Describe the homuncular pattern in terms of primary sensory cortex/ motor cortex.
Describe the body parts according to the homunculus on the cortex.
Considering the motor homunculus, which region of the body is represented most laterally in the primary motor cortex?
A. The face B. The hand C. The lower limb
A The face
In a seizure, you notice that the man’s seizure started in his left hand, but then progressively moved proximally through his upper limb. Why is this the case?
Initial abnormality starts at point of homunculus which controls the hand. Then disruption widens + spreads the electrical conductivity (happens in both directions along the gyrus) + causes other symptoms to be seen e.g. upper limb.
CT vs MRI brain scans - observe and learn
In patella tendon reflex test, which structures detect muscle stretch when the tendon hammer is applied to the patellar ligament?
Muscle spindle/ stretch receptors on the quadriceps muscle
What is a T1 MRI scan, and how does it differ from a T2 scan?
T1 MRI scan = Fat is white, Water is black
T2 MRI scan = Fat is black, Water is white (T2 H20 - high signal .: white) Water starts with W .: white.
Why does gadolinium (Gd) enhance the lesions e.g. tumours seen in MRI?
Tumour has leaky vasculature around it .: Gd can leak out and accumulate + will come out as bright on scan - this is a contrasting agent.
What is the generic term for the neurone that receives information from the structures named above?
Afferent neurone
What is the generic term for the neurone that sends impulses to the skeletal muscle in a reflex arc?
Efferent neurone
In monosynaptic reflexes like the knee jerk, where is the synapse found?
Ventral horn - within the spinal cord
Draw a labelled diagram showing the complete reflex arc
What spinal level (s) mediates the knee jerk reflex?
L3/L4
(L3 for knee extension)
List as many reasons that you can think of for why you were unable to elicit knee jerk reflexes in this patient.
If pt is aware of it .: conscious about it
Poor technique
Damage/ lesion in either afferent/ efferent neurone of the reflex
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing
What is Quadriplegia?
paralysis from the neck down, including the trunk, legs and arms.
What is paraplegia?
describe the inability to voluntarily move the lower parts of the body
What is ataxia?
means without coordination
What is dyslexia?
common learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling
What is aphasia?
inability (or impaired ability) to understand or produce speech, as a result of brain damage.
What is rigidity?
an increase in resistance to passive movement about a joint.
What is paresis?
slight or partial paralysis
What is akinesia?
the loss of ability to move your muscles voluntarily.
What is hypertonia?
increased muscle tone
What is hemiplegia?
varying degree of weakness, stiffness (spasticity) and lack of control in one side of the body.
What is apraxia?
disorder of the brain and nervous system in which a person is unable to perform tasks or movements when asked, even though: The request or command is understood. They are willing to perform the task.
What is dysarthria?
when the muscles you use for speech are weak or you have difficulty controlling them.
What is agnosia?
rare disorder characterized by an inability to recognize and identify objects or persons.
What is dysdiadochokinesis?
inability to perform rapid alternating muscle movements. These can be quick, synchronous, and can include pronation/supination, fast finger tapping, opening and closing of the fists, and foot tapping.
What is spasticity?
abnormal muscle tightness due to prolonged muscle contraction
What is hyporeflexia?
decreased muscle reflex
What is areflexia?
the absence of deep tendon reflexes
What is bradykinesia?
slowness of movement
What is palsy?
paralysis
What is chorea?
movement disorder that causes involuntary, irregular, unpredictable muscle movements.
What is dysphonia?
trouble/ disorder with the voice when trying to talk, including hoarseness and change in pitch or quality or voice.
You are unable to elicit the patellar reflex. Suggest a maneuver that you could use to help elicit a response.
Jendrassik manoeuvre
