Sensory (Lecture)

Question 1

how is the sensation signal transmitted?

Answer 1

Question 2

what is the pathway for sensation (3 steps)?

Answer 2

Question 3

describe the receptors portion of the sensory pathway

Answer 3

Question 4

describe the spinal tracts portion of the sensory pathway

Answer 4

Question 5

describe the cortex portion of the sensory pathway

Answer 5

the signal goes to the somatosensory cortex, or postcentral gyrus.

Question 6

what are the 4 major subdivisions of sensation?

Answer 6

Question 7

what is the pathway for proprioception and touch? - what levels do the fibres cross over at?

Answer 7

Question 8

describe the pathway for pain and temperature - what level do the fibres cross over at?

Answer 8

Question 9

explain why we do a sensory examination

Answer 9

1) to determine extent of sensory loss
2) helps Id source of sensory loss for a more precise differential diagnosis (by observing the pattern of distribution ie periperal or central nerve root means peripheral or central nervous system dysfunction)
3) to help determine the impact on function and activity level
4) to more effectively determine prognosis and follow recovery
5) to help determine a care plan and develop treatment (develop compensatory strategies if sensation is absent, determine which modality to train if recovery is expected)

Question 10

what are the categorizations of sensory tests?

Answer 10

Question 11

describe the sensory distributions/mapping of peripheral nerves

Answer 11

• each nerve has a specific mapped area of innervation - a single nerve may represent multiple spinal segments (ulnar nerve, c8, t1)

Question 12

describe sensory distributions/mapping of the spinal nerve or dorsal nerve root

Answer 12

• represents 1 particular segment of the spinal cord (eg c5 nerve root may affect many peripheral nerves)

Question 13

describe sensory distributions/mapping of the primary somatosensory cortex

Answer 13

• body representation releated to the amount of brain area devoted to a particular body part

Question 14

name the 4 steps of a sensory assessment

Answer 14

1) history
2) appropriate selection of tests
3) administration of tests
4) knowledgeable interpretation of results

Question 15

what should history taking focus on?

Answer 15

Question 16

how do you select the appropriate sensory test?

Answer 16

Question 17

what are snesory test administration guidelines?

Answer 17

Question 18

what are clinical features/effects of peripheral level issues?

Answer 18

Question 19

what are clinical features/effects of spinal cord level issues?

Answer 19

note stenosis is narrowing of bone channel (spinal = narowing of spinal column)

Question 20

what are clinical features/effects of cerebral level issues?

Answer 20

Question 21

what are clinical features/effects of impaired sensation on postral control/gait and UE and hand function? why?

Answer 21

why: normal movement and function requires normal sensation

impaired cutaneous feedback from soles of feet or hands (superficial sensory)

impaired proprioception from ankles and leg affecting balance and gait or from hands and arms affecting sensory-motor integration (deep sensory)

Question 22

what are treatments and recomendations for sensory issues?

Answer 22

Question 23

describe the most reliable sensory test measure which includes assesment of all snesory modalities

Answer 23

• 3 specific points per body area (x 3 reps each point)

Question 24

review the 4 cases from this lecture

Answer 24

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