The Motor System and Spinal Cord. Definitions and Introduction. Flashcards

1
Q

What is ataxia?

A

Mild incoordination.

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2
Q

What is hyper-reflexia?

A

When a reflex is larger than normal.

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3
Q

What is muscle paralysis?

A

Complete muscle weakness where the muscle is no longer functional.

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4
Q

What is muscle paresis?

A

Partial muscle weakness.

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5
Q

What is muscle spasticity?

A

Where muscles stay in a contracted state.

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6
Q

Are all motor responses to stimuli voluntary or involuntary?

A

They can be voluntary or involuntary.

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7
Q

What name is given to all of the motor neurons that originate from the brain?

A

Upper motor neurons.

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8
Q

Where are the cell bodies of upper motor neurons located?

A

In the cortex or the brain stem.

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9
Q

What name is given to motor neurons that are partly in the CNS or are totally outside the CNS?

A

Lower motor neurons.

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10
Q

Where are the cell bodies of lower motor neurons located?

A

In the ventral grey horn of the spinal cord.

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11
Q

What are the axons of lower motor neurons referred to as?

A

As spinal nerves.

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12
Q

What name is given to the descending tracts of the spinal cord?

A

The lateral and ventral funiculi.

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13
Q

Does synapsis occur between upper motor neurons and lower motor neurons?

A

Yes.

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14
Q

What is the function of descending motor fibres?

A

They excite particular muscle groups.

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15
Q

What happens when one muscle group is activated by descending motor fibres?

A

When one muscle group is excited another must be inhibited.

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16
Q

Are lower motor neurons excitatory or inhibitory?

A

They are excitatory and inhibitory.

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17
Q

Do upper motor neurons make decisions?

A

No, they only relay the message.

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18
Q

What are movements are upper motor neurons responsible for?

A

Voluntary movements (both gross and fine).

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19
Q

What motor neurons are responsible for maintenance of normal muscle tone and regulation of posture?

A

Upper motor neurons.

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20
Q

What are the 2 major upper motor neuron systems?

A

The pyramidal system.

The extra pyramidal system.

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21
Q

What is the first section of the motor pathway?

A

The extra pyramidal system of the upper motor neuron system.

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22
Q

Where do the neurons of the extra pyramidal system originate from?

A

The brainstem.

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23
Q

Do the axons of the neurons of the extra pyramidal system ever cross over?

A

They will either cross over immediately or they will not cross at all.

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24
Q

In what tract will the neurons of the extra pyramidal system run in the spinal cord?

A

The ventral and lateral funiculus.

25
Q

What is the function of the neurons of the extra pyramidal system?

A

They transmit information from the brain to the lower motor neurons in the limbs, trunk and neck.

26
Q

What 2 influences will the extra pyramidal system have on muscles?

A

It helps to maintain subconscious muscle tone.

It controls large muscle groups to achieve smooth gait and stable posture.

27
Q

What is paresis?

A

Partial muscle weakness.

28
Q

What is paralysis?

A

No muscle response.

29
Q

What will be the effects of lesions to the extra pyramidal system?

A

Over stimulated lower motor neurons.

30
Q

What are the symptoms of lesions to the extra pyramidal system?

A

Complete muscle paralysis or gait deficiencies.

Sometimes we can get hyper-reflexia as there are no inhibitory signals.

A typical sign is muscle weakness and spasticity.

31
Q

Where do the neurons of the pyramidal system originate in the brain?

A

In the motor cortex.

32
Q

Do the neurons of the pyramidal system cross over?

A

Yes, they cross over in the medulla.

33
Q

What part of the spinal cord will the neurons of the pyramidal system run down?

A

The lateral funniculus.

34
Q

Where do the neurons of the pyramidal system synapse out of the spinal cord?

A

At the ventral horn.

35
Q

What happens after the neurons of the pyramidal system have synapsed out of the spinal cord?

A

They travel to their destination via lower motor neurons.

36
Q

What muscles are innervated by the neurons of the pyramidal system?

A

Small muscles that are used in co-ordinated activities or fine motor skills.

37
Q

What kind of thought is required for movements involving the pyramidal system?

A

Conscious thought.

38
Q

The pyramidal system is well developed in what animals?

A

Primates.

39
Q

What are the signs of damage to the pyramidal system?

A

Gait will be normal, but there will be mild postural deficiencies.

There will also be mild muscle stiffness and spasticity.

40
Q

What are signs of damage to the pyramidal system in primates?

A

Damage to facial, hand or arm muscles.

41
Q

How do the symptoms of lesions in the extrapyramidal system differ from lesions in the pyramidal system?

A

Lesions in the extrapyramidal system result in abnormal gait.

Lesions in the pyramidal system result in normal gait, but abnormal fine movements.

42
Q

How does the crossing over of neurons differ in the extrapyramidal system and pyramidal system?

A

EPS. Contralateral from the forebrain and brainstem and ipsilateral in the spinal cord.

PS. Mostly ipsilateral.

43
Q

Will damage to the extrapyramidal system lead to effects in postural responses?

A

Extrapyramidal damage will affect the animals gait and their postural responses.

44
Q

What systems will be affected by upper motor neuron disease?

A

The pyramidal or extra pyramidal systems.

45
Q

What are the effects of upper motor neuron disease?

A

Muscle weakness and spasticity.

46
Q

Why do muscles tend to be hyper-reflexive if there is damage to the motor system?

A

As there is a loss of inhibitory neurons meaning the muscles receive much more innervation than normal.

47
Q

Will damage to the pyramidal system not affect the animals gait?

A

No.

48
Q

Is the extra pyramidal system a conscious or unconscious process?

A

An unconscious process.

49
Q

Will extrapyramidal damage affect gait and postural responses?

A

Yes.

50
Q

Will pyramidal damage affect gait and postural responses?

A

Only postural responses.

51
Q

Will damage to the unconscious proprioceptive pathway affect gait and postural responses?

A

Both.

52
Q

Will damage to the conscious proprioceptive pathway affect gait and postural responses?

A

Only the postural responses.

53
Q

Is there loss of muscle strength is there is damage to the proprioceptive pathways?

A

No, as the animal has only lost sensitivity, not the ability to use the limb.

54
Q

Will damage to the vestibular system affect gait and postural responses?

A

Both.

55
Q

What signs give clues that there is damage to the proprioceptive pathway and not the motor pathway?

A

If the animal has large ranges of movement it indicates the proprioceptive pathways are affected.

56
Q

Will muscle strength be affected if there is the vestibular system?

A

Muscle strength is unaffected.

57
Q

What are key signs that there is damage to the vestibular system?

A

These lesions often result in one side of the animal being affected e.g. a head tilt.

58
Q

What signs give clues that there is damage to the cerebellum?

A

No loss of muscle strength, but there is no menace response and tremors will be present.