spinal cord

Question 1

what is a reflex

Answer 1

fast, automatic unplanned sequence of actions that occur in response to a stimulus

Question 2

what makes up a reflex arc

Answer 2

sensory receptor
sensory neuron
integrating centre (interneuron)
motor neuron
effector organ

Question 3

a missing knee jerk reflex can indicate

Answer 3

an intervertebral disc prolapse

paralysis

Question 4

a missing achilles reflex can indicate

Answer 4

nerve damage or subarachnoid haemorrhage

Question 5

describe achilles reflex

Answer 5

tapping achilles tendon triggers stretch reflex to stimulate plantar flexion of the foot

Question 6

describe plantar reflex/babinski sign

Answer 6

stroking outer margin of the sole causes big toe to dorsiflex and other toes to fan - normal in children under 1/.5 ONLY

Question 7

positive plantar reflex/babinski sign in adult could indicate

Answer 7

ALS

MS

Question 8

describe abdominal reflex

Answer 8

contraction of abdominal muscles in response to stroking sides of abdomen

Question 9

Erb’s palsy also known as

Answer 9

Waiters tip

Question 10

which nerves Erb’s palsy

Answer 10

brachial plexus - c5/6

Question 11

klumpke’s palsy known as

Answer 11

claw hand

Question 12

which nerve klumpke’s palsy

Answer 12

ulnar nerve damage- in brachial plexus

Question 13

which nerve damaged ape hand

Answer 13

median nerve damage in brachial plexus

Question 14

wrist drop also known as

Answer 14

saturday night palsy - falls asleep with back or arms compressed against bar edge

Question 15

which serve damaged wrist drop

Answer 15

radial nerve in brachial plexus

Question 16

what happens with a herniated/prolapsed disc

Answer 16

herniation/prolapsed intervertebral disc causing pressure on spinal nerve root or spinal cord

Question 17

symptoms herniated disc

Answer 17

pain at location radiating unilaterally,
positive lasegue test
shooting pain on sneezing

Question 18

differential diagnosis herniated disc

Answer 18

MS
spinal tumour
Lyme disease

Question 19

lasegue test also known as straight leg raising test

describe

Answer 19

patient lies prone
knee extended, hip flexed, ankle dorsiflexed
pain? lower lumbosacral nerve roots inflamed

Question 20

which is longest widest nerve in human body

Answer 20

sciatic nerve

Question 21

symptoms sciatica

Answer 21

lower back pain
leg, buttock pain
one sided
pins needles/tingling/burning
difficulty moving, controlling leg

Question 22

pathophysiology sciatica

Answer 22

general compression/irritation of 1 of the 5 nerve roots or of sciatic nerve itself

Question 23

causes sciatica

Answer 23

tumours in pelvis
constipation
pregnancy
cold
injury

Question 24

tests for sciatica

Answer 24

lasegue test

patient cannot stand on toes or heels?

Question 25

how can spina bifida be prevented

Answer 25

Folic acid during pregnancy

Question 26

very fair hair, eczema
mousy odour of urine and skin
progressive cognitive impairment
if untreated brain damage/mental retardation within months

Answer 26

phenylketonuria

Question 27

cause phenylketonuria

Answer 27

genetic defect - enzyme deficiency