SF2 NBME / Misc Flashcards
Lentiform Nucleus (components)
Putamen + Globus Pallidus
Nerves of Corneal Reflex
V1 -> VII
Spina Bifida Occulta.
(Neural Tube Defect) Failure of caudal neuropore to close, but no herniation. Usually seen at lower vertebral levels. Dura intact.
Associated with tuft of hair or skin dimple at level of bony defect
Structures passing through Jugular Foramen
CN IX, X, XI, and Jugular Vein
Pathological Location of Serotonin Synthesis
Raphe Nucleus
Developmental Origin of PNS Neurons and Schwann Cells
Neural Crest
Athetosis
Slow, snake-like, writihing movements; especially seen in fingers
Characteristic of Basal Ganglia lesion + Huntington’s Disease
First Order Neuron: Lateral Corticospinal Tract
UMN cell body in the Primary Motor Cortex. Descends ipsilaterally (through posterior limb of internal capsule). Most fibers decussate at Caudal Medulla. Descends CONTRALATERALLY
Preoptic Nucleus
Regulate thermoregulation and sexual behavior. Releases GnRH.
Senses and Location: Ruffini Corpuscles
Pressure, slippage of objects of skin, joint angle change
Clinical sign: Anencephaly
Polyhydramnios (No swallowing center in brain). Fetus doesn’t swallow amniotic fluid
Lesion of Subthalamic Nucleus
Contralateral Hemiballismus
Cerebellar Tonsillar Herniation into Foramen Magnum
Coma and death result when these herniations compress the brainstem
Astigmatism
Abnurmal curvature of cornea. Different refractive power at different axes.
Correct with cylindrical lenses
Tonic-Clonic Seizure
Alternating stiffening and movement, postictal confusion, urinary incontinence, tongue biting
Myoclonic Seizure
Quick, repetitive jerks
Lissencephaly
Failure of neuronal migration resulting in a “smooth brain” that lacks sulci and gyri. May be associated with microcephaly and ventriculomegaly
Passage Through Cranial Cavity: CN XII
Hypoglossal Canal
Outer Ear
Visible portion of ear (pinna), includes auditory canadal and tympanic membrane.
Resting Tremor
Uncontrolled movement of distal appendages; termor alleviated by intentional movement
Substantia Nigra issue (Parkinson’s esp)
Myeleomeningocele
(Neural Tube Defect) Meninges AND neural tube (eg cauda equina) herniate through bony defect
Think about how Myelo- prefix sounds like myelin to remember this includes the neural tube herniating as opposed to Meningocele
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Affects the elderly; idiopathic; CSF pressure elevated only episodically; does not result in increased Subarachnoid space volume.
Triad: Urinary incontinence, gait apraxia, and congnitive dysfunction “wet, wobbly, and wacky”
Lesion: Paramedian Pontine Reticular Formation
Ipsilateral gaze palsy (inability to look toward side of lesion)
(Primitive Reflex) Plantar Reflex
Dorsiflexion of large toe and fanning of other toes with plantar stimulation. (Babinski sign if present in adults - UMN lesion)
Dorsal Motor Nucleus
Sens autonomic (parasympathetic) fibers to heart, lungs, upper GI
CN X
Function: Lateral Spinothalamic Tract
Pain and Temperature
Vitamin B12 Deficiency (Spinal Cord)
Subacute Combined Degeneration (SCD)
Demyelination of Spinocerebellar Tracts, Lateral Corticospinal Tracts, and Dorsal Columns. Ataxic gait, paresthesia, impaired position/vibration sense.
Endoneurium
Thin, supportive connective tissue that ensheaths and supports individual myelinated nerve fibers.
Developmental predecessor to Telencephalon and Diencephalon
Prosencephalon
Synapse: Spinothalamic Tract
Synapses at level of entry
UMN or LMN: Spastic Paresis
UMN
Pathological Location of GABA Synthesis
Nucleus Accumbens
Name of Sympathetic Ganglion going to head
Superior Cervical Ganglion
Cerebellum: Deep Nuclei (lateral to medial)
Dentate, Emboliform, Globose, Fastigial
“Don’t Eat Greasy Food”
Input to Cerebellum
- Contralateral cortex via Middle Cerebellar Peduncle
* Ipsilateral Proprioceptive information via Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle from Spinal Cord
Decreased Mesocortical Pathway Activity
Leads to “negative” symptoms (eg anergia, apathy, lack of spontaneity). Antipsychotic drugs have limited effect.
Result of CN IV damage
Patient cannot look down and out. Eye rotated laterally. Difficulty walking down stairs. Head tilted.
Symptom: Damage to Short Ciliary Nerves
Mydriasis
Papilledema
Optic disc swelling (usually bilateral) due to increased ICP. Enlarged blind spot and elevated optic disc wtih blurred margins.
Synapse: Lateral Corticospinal Tract
Cell body of anterior horn
Internal Carotid Plexus
Post-Ganglion Fibers from Superior Cervical Ganglion (Sympathetics); Wrap ICA
Striatum (components)
Caudate (Cognitive) + Putamen (Motor)
Function: Anterior Spinothalamic Tract
Crude touch and pressure
Herniation associated with Epidural Hematoma
Uncal (Transtentorial)
Structures passing through Foramen Magnum
Brainstem, Spinal root of CN XI, and Vertebral Arteries
Asterixis
Extension of wrists causes “flapping” motion
Developmental Origin of Microglia
Mesoderm
Postganglionic Neurotransmitter in Parasympathetic Nervous System
Acetylcholine
Supraoptic and Paraventricular Nuclei
Synthesis Vasopression (ADH) and Oxytocin
Reflex Spinal Root: Patellar Reflex
L3, L4
Lucid Interval (Epidural Hematoma)
Epidural hematomas might present with transient loss of consciousness, a recovery period, and then rapid deterioration due to hematoma expansion
Myoclonus
Sudden, brief, uncontrolled muscle contraction
Craniopharyngioma
Most common childhood supratentorial tumor. May be confused with Pituitary Adenoma because both cause Bitemporal Hemianopia
Neurotransmitter Changes: Parkinson’s Disease
Increase: ACh
Decrease: DA, 5HT
Result of LMN Lesion of CN XII
1) Atrophy of Muscles
2) Protruded tongue deviates toward side of lesion
Medial Geniculate Nucleus
Input: Superior Olive and Inferior Colliculus of Tectum
Senses: Hearing
Destination: Auditory Cortex of Temporal Lobe
Neurotransmitter Changes: Depression
Decrease: DA, NE, 5HT
Inferior extent of Subarachnoid Space in Vertebrae
Lower border of S2
Huntington’s Pathology
Atrophy of caudate and putamen with ex vacuo ventriculomegaly. Neuronal death via NMDA-R binding and glutamate excitotoxicity
Increase: Dopamine
Decrease: GABA, ACh
Sensory Neurons: Free Nerve Endings
A∂ - Fast, Myelinated
C - Slow, Unmyelinated
“A Delta plane is fast but a taxC is slow”
Marcus Gunn pupil
aka Relative Afferent Pupillary Defect (RAPD)
When the light shines into a normal eye, constriction of both eyes if observed. When the light is then swung to the affected eye, both pupils dilate instead of constrict due to impaired conduction of light signal along the injured optic nerve
Postganglionic Neurotransmitter in Sympathetic Nervous System
Norepinephrine (exception sweat glands / ACh)
Parkinson’s Disease Pathology
Loss of dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra pars compacta
Lateral Geniculate Nucleus
Input: CN II/chiasm/tract
Senses: Vision
Destination: Primary Visual Cortex
MRI Findings in Holoprosencephaly
Monoventricle and fusion of basal ganglia
Innervation: Outer Ear
- CN V3
- CN VII
- CN IX
- CN X
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Compression of spinal roots L2 and below, often due to intervertebral disc herniation or tumor.
Radicular pain, absent knee/ankle reflexes, loss of bladder/anal sphincter control, saddle anesthesia
Location of CSF flow in Meninges
Subarachnoid Space
Hormones controlled by Circadian Rhythm
1) ACTH
2) Prolactin
3) Melatonin
4) Norepinephrine
Tic Douloureux
Intense, stabbing pain. CN V or an be limited to single divisions of Trigeminal Nerve (Most Frequent: V2)
Catarct
Painless, often bilateral opacification of lens. Results in glare and decreased vision, especially at night.
Risk Factors:
- Age
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
- Excessive sunlight
- Prolonged corticosteroid use
- Diabetes
- Trauma / Infection
Decreased Tuberoinfundibular Pathway Activity
Leads to increase in Prolactin secretion. Sexual dysfunction, galactorrhea, gynecomastia (in men), and decrease in libido
Kallmann Syndrome
Failure of GnRH-producing neurons (Preoptic Nucleus - Hypothalamus) to migrate from olfactory pit
Preganglionic Neurotransmitter in the Autonomic System (both Sympathetic and Parasympathetic)
Acetlycholine
Stroke causing Frontal Eye Field lesion
MCA Stroke
Epineurium
Dense connective tissue that surrounds entire nerve (fascicles and blood vessels)
Pinealoma
Tumor of Pineal Gland. Can cause Parinaud Syndrome (Compression of tectum -> Vertical gaze palsy); obstructive hydrocephalus (cerebral aquduct); Precocious puberty in males
Ependymal Cells
Ciliated simple columnar glial cells line the ventricles and central canal of spinal cord. Apical surfaces are covered in cilia (which circulate CSF) and microvilli (which help in CSF absorption). Specialized ependymal cells (choroid plexus) produce CSF
Innervation: Dilator Pupil
Sympathetics
Absence Seizure
3 Hz spike-and-wave discharges, no postictal confusion, blank stare
Notochord
Induces overlying ectoderm to differentiate into neuroectoderm and form neural plate
Retinal Vein Occlusion
Blockage of central or branch retinal vein due to compression from nearby arterial atherosclerosis. Retinal hemorrhage and venous engorgement. Edema in affected area
End level of Spinal Cord (Adault)
Lower border of L1-L2 vertebrae
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
Regulate Circadian rhythm
Accomodation
Thickening of lens for near vision. Parasympathetics of CN III.
Output from Cerebellum
- Only output from Cerebellar cortex is Purkinje Cells (inhibitory)
- Deep Nuclei
Second Order Neuron: Dorsal Column Ascending Tracts
Decussates in Medulla. Ascends contralaterally as the Medial Lemniscus. Goes to VPL (Thalamus)
Cause: Leaking CSF through nasal cavity
Fracture of Cribriform Plate
Chromatolysis
Reaction of neuronal cell body to axonal injury. Changes reflect increased protein synthesis in effort to repair damaged axon.
1) Round Cellular swelling
2) Displacement of the nucleus to the periphery
3) Dispersion of Nissl substance throughout cytoplasm
Muscle(s) closing jaw
Masseter, teMporalis, Medial pterygoid
Pathological Location of Acetylcholine Synthesis
Basal Nucleus of Meynert
Central Poststroke Pain Syndrome
Neuropathic pain due to thalamic lesions. Initial paresthias followed in weeks/months by allodynia and dysesthesia on the contralateral side.
Chiari II Malformation
(Posterior Fossa Malformation) Herniation of Cerebellar Vermis and Tonsils through Foramen Magnum with Aqueductal Stenosis (Noncommunicating Hydrocephalus).
Usually associated with Lumbosacral Myelomeningocele (may present as paralysis/sensory loss at/below level).
Cell affected in Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Schwann Cell (demyelinating disease)
Anencephaly
(Neural Tube Defect) Failure of rostral neuropore to close. No forebrain, open calvarium.
Reflex Spinal Root: Cremasteric Reflex (Testicles move)
L1, L2
Brown-Sequard Syndrome (Name 5 Findings jackass)
Hemisection of Spinal Cord. Findings:
1) Ipsilateral loss of all sensation @ level
2) Ipsilateral LMN signs @ lesion
3) Ipsilateral UMN signs below lesion
4) Ipsilateral loss of proprioception, vibration, 2pt touch, and tactile sense below lesion
5) Contralateral loss of pain, temperature, and crude touch below level of lesion (spinothalamic)
If lesion above T1, may kill sympathetics
Dystonia
Sustained, involuntary muscle contractions..
Treated with BOTOX
Presbyopia
Aging-related impaired accommodation (focusing on near objects), primarily due to decreased lens elasticity, changes in lens curvature, and weak ciliary muscle. Patients need reading glasses often
Hemiballismus
Sudden, wild flailing of 1 arm and sometimes ipsilateral leg
CN V Motor Lesion
Jaw deviates TOWARD lesion due to unopposed pterygoid muscle
Lesion: Cerebellar Vermis
Truncal Ataxia, Nystagmus
Formed by Neural Plate
Neural Tube and Neural Crest Cells
Developmental origin of Anterior 2/3 of Tongue
1st and 2nd Pharyngeal arches
Pathological Location of Dopamine Synthesis
Ventral Tegmentum and/or SNc
Dopamine Receptor in Indirect Pathway
D2 Receptor