T2 L10: Motor learning and neurological symptoms

Question 1

Describe the simple motor pathway

Answer 1

Motor cortex of the brain gives info to an upper motor neuron that passes that info onto a lower motor neuron which will pass it onto a muscle

Question 2

What is the difference between upper and lower motor neurones?

Answer 2

Upper motor neurones begin in the brain. Lower motor neurones begin in the spinal cord

Question 3

Which motor control centres are responsible for high level strategy functions?

Answer 3

Association areas of the neocortex and basal ganglia

Question 4

Which motor control centres are responsible for middle level tactics functions?

Answer 4

The motor cortex and cerebellum

Question 5

Which motor control centres are responsible for low level execution functions?

Answer 5

Brainstem and spinal cord

Question 6

Give an example of strategy, tactics and execution function of the brain in tennis

Answer 6

Strategy: Different choices of serve Eg. direction, spin, previous responses of the opponent

Tactics: The instructions to execute the serve

Execution: delivery of the serve

Question 7

What is the only cortical tract to directly synapse with motor neurones?

Answer 7

Pyramidal tracts

Question 8

Which layer are pyramidal cells predominantly derived from?

Answer 8

Layer 5 (V)

Question 9

Which spinal tract is for flexion of upper limbs and where does it originate?

Answer 9

The Rubrospinal tract originating in the red nucleus

Question 10

Which spinal tract is for balance and where does it originate?

Answer 10

The vestibulocochlear nucleus originating in the vestibular nucleus

Question 11

Which spinal tract is for vision and alerting and where does it originate?

Answer 11

The tectospinal tract originating in the tectum

Question 12

Where is the tectum?

Answer 12

In the midbrain (Also known as the superior colliculus)

Question 13

Which spinal tract is for extending arms and legs and where does it originate?

Answer 13

The reticulospinal tract originating in the reticular formation

Question 14

What are the 5 descending spinal tract pathways?

Answer 14

Tectospinal, medial and lateral vestibulospinal, reticulospinal, and rubrospinal

Question 15

What causes decorticate posturing?

Answer 15

A lesion above the red nucleus

Question 16

What is Decorticate posturing?

Answer 16

A person is stiff with bent arms, clenched fists, and legs held out straight

Question 17

What is Decerebrate posturing?

Answer 17

Involves the arms and legs being held straight out, the toes being pointed downward, and the head and neck being arched backward.

Question 18

What causes Decerebrate posturing?

Answer 18

A lesion below the red nucleus

Question 19

What are the symptoms of damage to the motor cortex and corticospinal tract?

Answer 19

Eg. Caused by a stroke

There will be some preserved upper limb flexion and lower limb extension
Increased tone (Spasticity), brisk reflexes, Extensor Plantar/Babinski reflex, Clonus
Patient will maintain a posture but a contracture will be left because the red nucleus is having more if an impact 

All caused by a loss of descending inhibition

Question 20

What is the Babinski reflex?

Answer 20

It’s a normal reflex in children but not in adults. It when the toes raise up instead of curling inwards when the sole of the foot is stimulated (A tickle)

Question 21

What is Clonus?

Answer 21

Involuntary and rhythmic muscle contractions. It can be found at the ankle, patella, triceps surae, wrist, jaw, biceps brachii

Question 22

Why is the Babinski reflex normal in children?

Answer 22

Because their corticospinal tracts don’t develop fully until they reach age 2

Question 23

What is Bell’s Palsy?

Answer 23

A temporary weakness or lack of movement affecting 1 side of the face

Question 24

What is a Parasagittal Meningioma?

Answer 24

A meningioma that fills the parasagittal angle

Question 25

How does a Parasagittal Meningioma present itself?

Answer 25

A bilateral leg weakness and spasticity

Question 26

What are the 4 arteries in which a stroke can occur?

Answer 26

Anterior cerebral artery
Middle cerebral artery
Posterior cerebral artery
Anterior choroidal artery

Question 27

What are the symptoms of a middle cerebral artery occlusion?

Answer 27

Proximal lesion affects internal capsule
Complete Hemiparesis
Distal lesion may spare leg area of the motor cortex but secondary swelling and ischaemia may compromise function

Question 28

What is Complete Hemiparesis?

Answer 28

Weakness on the entire side of the body

Question 29

Which areas does the anterior cerebral artery supply?

Answer 29

Supplies the frontal lobes including the leg area of motor cortex

Question 30

What is Abulia?

Answer 30

Loss or impairment of the ability to make decisions or act independently

Question 31

What are the symptoms of an Anterior cerebral artery stroke?

Answer 31

More leg paresis than arm paresis

Abulia