Topic 2:Brain and Spinal Cord Problems Flashcards
1
Q
Why is it difficult to examine the brain?
A
-enclosed cranium
2
Q
What are the purpose of brain scans?
A
- to study a healthy brain
- to study brain injuries/disease
3
Q
What are CT Scans?
A
- forms images of slices through the brain
- denser material absorb the X-ray producing whiter areas
4
Q
How do CT scans work?
A
- X-ray beams moves in a circle around the head and detectors measure the absorption of X-rays
- computer uses information to build up a view of it inside the body
5
Q
What are PET Scans?
A
-shows brain activity
6
Q
How do PET Scans work?
A
- radioactive glucose given
- more active cells take in more; they would produce more gamma rays (brightly coloured images)
- the scanner detects it
7
Q
Why is treating brain damage hard?
A
-nerve cell don’t repair themselves
8
Q
What is the treatment of brain tumours?
A
- squash part of the brain and stop it from working
- radiotherapy - uses high energy X-ray beams to destroy the tumour but it could damage healthy cells
- chemotherapy - injecting drugs that kill actively dividing cells however there is a blood-brain barrier
9
Q
What is spinal cord damage?
A
- stops electrical impulses passing between the brain and the rest of the body - paralysis
- damage to the lower part - paralysis in the legs
- damage to the neck - paralysis will be in arms and legs (quadriplegia)
