Supporting Systems to the Brain and Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

What are the meninges and their function?

A

3 layers of connective tissue that act to cover the brain and the spinal cord.

  • provide protection from contusion and infection
  • Contains blood vessels and CSF
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2
Q

What is the Dura Mater?

A

Outer most meningeal layer

  • lining the periosteum of the skull, protects the brain
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3
Q

What space is found between the Dura and the Arachnoid Mater?

A

Subdural Space

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4
Q

What is the Arachnoid Mater?

A

Middle meningeal layer!

  • is impermeable
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5
Q

What space is found between the Arachnoid and the Pia Mater?

A

Subarachnoid Space

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6
Q

What is the Pia Mater?

A

Inner most meningeal layer

  • forms the choroid plexus (part of the ventricle system)
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7
Q

What is meningitis and its clinical signs and symptoms?

A

Meningitis: inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord
- Often (Bacterial Meningitis)
- considered a medical emergency

Clincal signs and symptoms:
- Fever, headache, vomiting
- Complaints of stiff and painful neck
- Nuchal rigidity: simply refers to neck stiffness.
- Pain in (lumbar area) and (posterior thigh)
- Brudzinski’s sign*
- Kernig’s Sign*
- Light sensitivity

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8
Q

What is the gold standard for diagnosing meningitis?

A

Lumbar Puncture

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9
Q

What is Brudzinski’s Sign?

A

Flexion of the Neck facilitates Flexion of the Hips and Knees

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10
Q

What is Kernig’s Sign?

A

Pain with (Hip Flexion) combined with (Knee Extension)

Essentially a STRAIGHT LEG RAISE

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11
Q

What is the epidural space?

A

Area between the Skull and the Dura Mater.

Area between the Dura Mater and space between the Periosteum of the Vertebrae

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12
Q

What is the subdural space?

A

Area between the Dura and the Arachnoid mater

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13
Q

What is the subarachnoid space?

A

Area between the Arachnoid and the Pia mater

  • contain the CSF and the Circulatory System of the cerebral cortex
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14
Q

What is the ventricular system?

A

Designed to protect and nourish the brain

  • contains FOUR fluid filled cavities; called ventricles
  • contains multiple foramina
  • allows for the passage of CSF
  • Each ventricle contains choroid plexus
    forming CSF
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15
Q

What can an excess of CSF in the ventricles cause?

A

Hydrocephalus

  • in the spinal cord excess of CSF is known as Syringomyelia
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16
Q

What is Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and its function

A

Fluid that serves to cushion the brain and the spinal cord.

  • Provides nutrition to the CNS
  • Serves as a medium for the removal of metabolites
  • Constantly being absorbed and replenished within the brain and the spinal cord
17
Q

What is the blood brain barrier (BBB) and its function?

A

Consists of:
- Meninges
- Protective glial cells
- Capillary Beds in the Brain

  • Used for the exchange of nutrients between the CNS and the Vascular System
  • Provides protection for the CNS by restricting certain molecules from crossing.
18
Q

What is Hydrocephalus and its clinical signs and symptoms?

A

Is an increase in CSF in the ventricular system typically due to poor resorption, flow obstruction or excessive production

  • classified as Congenital, Acquired or Idiopathic

Signs and Symptoms
- Enlarged head or bulging fontanelles in infants
- [headache]
- [changes in vision]
- large veins noted on scalp
- behavioral changes
- seizures
- alteration in appetite/vomiting
- Sun Setting Sign*
- incontinence

Fontanelles: soft spots on an infant’s head where the bony plates that make up the skull have not yet come together

19
Q

What conditions are associated with hydrocephalus?

A

PEDI Conditions

Spina Bifida
Choroid Plexus Neoplasm
Cerebral Palsy
Tumor
Meningitis
Encephalocele: a sac-like protrusion or projection of the brain and the membranes that cover it through an opening in the skull.

20
Q

What is sun setting sign?

A

Downward deviation of the eyes

21
Q

What treatment options are available for hydrocephalus?

A

Surgical placement of a Shunt

or

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV): creating a small opening in the bottom of the third ventricle so that CSF can drain to the ‘basal cisterns’ below, and from there into the spinal cord, and thus relieve CSF pressure.

22
Q

Is Meningitis Considered a Medical Emergency?

A

YUH

23
Q

What is Nuchal Rigidity?

A

Neck Stiffness

24
Q

What regions of the body are often painful with Meningitis?

A

Lumbar Region

and

Posterior Thigh

25
Q

How much CSF is produced daily?

A

500-700 mL/day

26
Q

What should a PT do if there is suspected Shunt Malfunction for patients with Hydrocephalus?

A

Immediately notfiy appropriate medical personnel