The Dizzy Patient Flashcards
Vertigo is typically defined as a sensation of movement like spinning. Is this a central or peripheral or both dysfunction?
- both
- central = CNS such as brain stem or cerebellum
- peripheral = vestibular dysfunction
When we think of vertigo, which of the following systems is the main culprit?
1 - vestibular and cerebellar
2 - vestibular
3 - cardiovascular
4 - cardiovascular and cerebellar
2 - vestibular
Investigations would target the vestibular nerve and brain stem
When we think of disequilibrium (feeling that you will lose balance and fall), which of the following systems is the main culprit?
1 - vestibular and cerebellar
2 - vestibular
3 - cardiovascular
4 - cardiovascular and cerebellar
1 - vestibular and cerebellar
Investigations would target the vestibular nerve, brain stem and cerebellum
When we think of pre-syncopal symptoms, which of the following systems is the main culprit?
1 - vestibular and cerebellar
2 - vestibular
3 - cardiovascular
4 - cardiovascular and cerebellar
3 - cardiovascular
Cardiovascular – vasovagal response, postural hypotension, arrythmia, cardiac outflow obstruction
Investigate the heart and cardiovascular system
Pre-Syncope is a prodrome to syncope, which is a complete loss of consciousness that people are often aware of. Which of the following typically occurs in pre-syncope?
1 - pallor
2 - nausea
3 - sweating
4 - all of the above
4 - all of the above
- essentially due to a transient impairment of cerebral blood flow
Which of the following is involved in ensuring that patients do not feel dizzy?
1 - Cortex
2 - Cerebellum
3 - Eyes
4 - Vestibular organs (semi-circular canals and otoliths)
5 - Vestibular nuclei (VIII cranial nerve in Medulla)
6 - Proprioceptive information from feet/legs
7 - all of the above
7 - all of the above
Key organs are the inner ear, brainstem and cerebellum
What is the prevalence of dizziness in the UK in >65s?
1 - 3%
2 - 13%
3 - 30%
4 - 60%
3 - 30%
15-20% of adults experience dizziness
- dizziness can lead to distress, falls, injuries, anxiety, loss of independence, isolation, depression and more
What are the 2 functions of the vestibular system?
1 - balance
2 - spatial awareness
3 - hearing
4 - smell
1 - balance
2 - spatial awareness
What does otolith mean?
1 - greek for ear
2 - greek for ear stone
3 - greek for hearing loss
4 - greek for heavy
2 - greek for ear stone
- saccule and utricle contain otoconia membrane and otoconia on top of the otoconia membrane
- otoliths are calcium carbonate stones
- heavy weight means they move and drag the gelatinous matrix with it, allowing hair cells to detect movement in a specific direction
The ability to remain static is the role of the saccule and utricle, which contain endolymph which helps with balance. What is endolymph?
1 - fluid in bony labyrinth high in K+
2 - fluid in bony labyrinth high in Na+
3 - fluid in membranous labyrinth high in K+
4 - fluid in membranous labyrinth high in Na+
3 - fluid in membranous labyrinth high in K+
- clear fluid located in the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear
- contains high K+ (140 mEq/L) and low Na+ concentration (15 mEq/L)
The macula is contained within the utricle and is the balance receptor of the ear. The macula contain sensory mechanoreceptors that are supported by epithelial cells. What are these mechanoreceptors located in the macula called?
1 - oliths
2 - ampulla
3 - hair cells
4 - follicular cells
3 - hair cells
- type 1 and 2
The saccule and utricle are at aprox 90 degrees to one another and contain macula. Why is this important?
1 - allows hair cells to detect movement in vertical and horizontal planes
2 - able to detect motion only
3 - able to detect static position only
4 - all of the above
1 - allows hair cells to detect movement in vertical and horizontal planes
- utricle macula = horizontal plane pointing up remember the boys name HUgh
- saccule macula = vertical plane pointing out remember Very Small
The otolith organs contained within the utricle and saccule contain type I and II hair cells that are able to detect movement in the macula. What are the hair cells embedded in?
1 - mucus
2 - gelatinous matrix
3 - columnar epithelial cells
4 - ear wax
2 - gelatinous matrix
- called otolithic membrane
The utricle macula contains hair cells in the horizontal plane pointing up. Remember HUgh:
- H = horizontal
- U = utricle
What type of motion are the hair cells of the utricle able to detect?
1 - linear acceleration in a horizontal plane
2 - head tilt (left, right, forward)
3 - driving a car, sudden break and the head moves forward
4 - all of the above
4 - all of the above
The saccula macula contains hair cells in the horizontal plane pointing up. Remember Very Small:
- V = ventricle
- S = small
What type of motion are the hair cells of the saccula able to detect?
1 - vertical linear acceleration/deceleration
2 - moving up and down
3 - movement when in a lift, etc.
4 - all of the above
4 - all of the above
Label the image of the macula below using the names below:
- cilia
- supporting cells
- vestibular nerve axons
- gelatinous matrix
- hair cell
- otoliths
1 = otoliths
2 = gelatinous matrix
3 = cilia
4 = hair cell
5 = supporting cells
6 = vestibular nerve axons
The hair cells contain cilia that are able to detect horizontal (utricle) and vertical (saccule) acceleration. There are 2 types of cilia, one of which is much larger than the others, what are they both called?
1- stereocilia and epicillia
2 - stereocilia and macucillia
3 - kiniocillia and stereocilia
4 - kiniocillia and large kiniocillia
3 - kiniocillia and stereocilia
- kiniocillia = 1 large in each hair cell
- stereocilia = mulitple of these in each hair cell
In addition to the multiple sterocilia (small) and the singular kinocilium (large) on hair cells in the vestibular system there is something in-between each sterocilia (small) and the singular kinocilium (large) called tip links. When there is movement the otoliths that are on top of the gelatinous membrane drag the gelatinous membrane. As they drag the gelatinous membrane the hair cells inside also move. When the hair cells detect movement the tip links come into closer contact with the adjacent sterocilia and kinocilium. When this occurs what happens?
1 - tip links open mechanically gated Na+ channels
2 - tip links open mechanically gated Ca2+ channels
3 - tip links open mechanically gated Mg+ channels
4 - tip links open mechanically gated K+ channels
4 - tip links open mechanically gated K+ channels
- increased K+ causes depolarisation
In addition to the multiple sterocilia (small) and the singular kinocilium (large) on hair cells in the vestibular system there is something in-between each sterocilia (small) and the singular kinocilium (large) called tip links. When the hair cells detect movement the tip links come into closer contact with the adjacent sterocilia and kinocilium. When this occurs tip links open mechanically gated K+ channels and increased K+ causes depolarisation. What then happens at the base of the hair cell?
1 - depolarisation of the hair cell causes Ca2+ release at the bottom of the hair cells
2 - Ca2+ causes vesicles containing glutamate to fuse with membrane, releasing glutamate
3 - glutamate (stored in vesicles) is released into synaptic space
4 - glutamate binds to glutamate receptors and depolarises the axon, sending a signal to the brain
5 - all of the above
5 - all of the above
Which cranial nerve supplies the vestibular system?
1 - vagus nerve (X)
2 - trigeminal nerve (VII)
3 - vestibulocochlear (VIII)
4 - assessory nerbe (XI)
3 - vestibulocochlear (VIII)- cranial nerve VIII (8) vestibulocochlear nerve
- vestibular branch
When our heads are in a stationary position we are constantly generating action potentials to tell the brain about our head position. However, if we change position and move towards or away from the kinocilium, do the action potentials increase or decrease?
- towards = increased action potentials
- away = decreased action potentials
- tells the body about position
Why are the semi-circular canals arranged at 90 degrees to one another?
1 - allow horizontal and verticle motion awareness
2 - allow 3 dimensional motion awareness
3 - ensure awareness of being stationary and moving
4 - allows the ability to remain stationary
2 - allow 3 dimensional motion awareness
There are 3 semi-circular canals which are continuations of the utricle. What are the 3 positions (names) of the canals?
1 - superior, posterior and inferior
2 - superior, inferior and lateral
3 - anterior, posterior and lateral
4 - lateral, medial and inferior
3 - anterior, posterior and lateral
- anterior (like handle on a handbag)
- posterior (like handle on a mug)
- lateral (like a shelf draw pulling out)
Together they provide 3 dimensional information
The semicircular canals are continuations of the utricle, and therefore contain the same fluid, which is called what, endolymph or perilymph?
- endolymph
- high in K+ and low in Na+
The semicircular canals are continuations of the utricle, and therefore contain the same fluid, called endolymph. There is also an enlarged portion at the end of each of the semi-circular canals (so 3 in total), called what?
1 - macula
2 - canaliculi
3 - fossa
4 - ampulla
4 - ampulla
- allows us to detect changes in head rotation
In the ampulla is the crista ampullaris, which is the sensory organ that is able to detect rotation and angular acceleration and deceleration. What is contained within the crista ampullaris?
1 - cisterna
2 - hair cells type I and II
3 - Ca2+ channels
4 - otoliths
2 - hair cells type I and II
- a gelatinous mass called the capula that covers hair cells
In the ampulla is the crista ampullaris, which is the sensory organ that is able to detect rotation and angular acceleration and deceleration. Within the crista ampullaris are hair cells type I and II covered in a gelatinous mass called the cupula. Each hair cell is the same as those contained within the saccula and utricle, meaning they have lots of sterovilli, one kinocilium and tip links that connect sterovilli and the kinocilium. What happens if the hair cells are stimulated and the sterovilli and the kinocilium move towards a stimulus?
- tip links open mechanically gated K+ channels
- K+ causes depolarisation
- depolarisation causes Ca2+ channels to open
- Ca2+ causes the release of glutamate into synaptic space
- glutamate binds to receptors causing action potential to be sent to the brain
- all of the above
- via cranial nerve VIII (8) the vestibulocochlear
When the hair cells are stimulated inside the crista ampullaris contained in ampulla is the sterovilli and the kinocilium move towards a stimulus. This inturn triggers an action potential that is sent to the brain and informs us about this change in head position. Which crnail nerbve is responsible for delivering this information?
1 - vagus nerve (X)
2 - trigeminal nerve (VII)
3 - vestibulocochlear (VIII)
4 - assessory nerbe (XI)
3 - vestibulocochlear (VIII)
Projections of the 4 regions of the vestibular nuclei (inferior, superior, lateral and medial) are able to innervate which cranial nerves?
1 - CNs I, II and III
2 - CNs II, III and IV
3 - CNs III, IV and VI
4 - CNs IV, VI and X
3 - CNs III, IV and VI
- cranial nerve III (3) (oculomotor nerve)
- cranila nerve IV (4) (trochlear nerve)
- cranial nerve VI (6) (abducens nerve)
- contribute towards coordinating the eye, neck and trunk movement.