Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Head, Neck and Neurological Systems > Week 3 > Flashcards

Week 3 Flashcards

1
Q

What spinal tracts cross over at the medulla oblongata?

A

Dorsal column and lateral corticospinal tracts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What spinal tract crosses over in the spinal cord?

A

Spinothalamic tract

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What disorders can be caused by incomplete SCI?

A

Central/anterior/posterior cord syndrome
Brown-Sequard syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is central cord syndrome?

A

Low velocity hyperextension injury causes damage to the centre of the spinal cord; impairment of sensation mostly in upper limbs; preservation of proprioception/light touch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why is central cord syndrome more common in elderly patients?

A

Narrowed cervical canal due to osteophytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is Brown-Sequard syndrome?

A

Penetrating injury causes damage to one side of the spinal cord; results in paralysis (corticospinal) and loss of proprioception/light touch (dorsal column) on same side and pain/temperature (spinothalamic) on opposite side

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is cauda equina syndrome?

A

Bony compression/disc protrusion in lumbosacral region causes non-specific symptoms (back pain, bowel/bladder dysfunction, leg numbness/weakness, saddle paraesthesia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is saddle paraesthesia and what disorder is it associated with?

A

Loss of sensation restricted to the area of the buttocks, perineum area between the anus and scrotum/vulva and inner surface of the thighs
Cauda equina syndrome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How are SCIs immediately managed?

A

Identify
Immobilise (prevent further damage from movement)
Investigate (injuries, neurological exam, ASIA scale for motor and sensory)
Inform

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

A SCI above what level will produce significant autonomic disruption and why?

A

T5

Origin of the majority of sympathetic output

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is spinal shock?

A

A combination of areflexia/hyporeflexia and autonomic dysfunction that accompanies SCI immediately
Initial hyporeflexia = loss of reflexes below the level of injury
Initial loss of sympathetic outflow = hypotension and bradycardia
Eventual return of reflexes with hyperreflexia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What level of SCI can cause spinal shock?

A

All levels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How long does spinal shock last?

A

3 days to 2 weeks; depends on level and severity of injury

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which reflex is the first to return after spinal shock?

A

Plantar reflex/Babinski’s sign

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is neurogenic shock?

A

Disruption of the autonomic pathways within the spinal cord, resulting in hypotension, bradycardia and hypothermia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What level of SCI can cause neurogenic shock?

A

Above T6

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is an upper motor neuron lesion?

A

Lesion of the neural pathway above the anterior horn cell of the spinal cord or motor nuclei of the cranial nerves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is a lower motor neuron lesion?

A

Affects nerve fibres traveling from the anterior horn of the spinal cord or the cranial motor nuclei to the relevant muscle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the signs of an UMN lesion?

A

Muscle weakness
Increased tone
Increased reflexes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are the signs of a LMN lesion?

A

Muscle weakness and wasting
Reduced tone
Reduced reflexes
Fasciculations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are SCI patients at high risk of a week after injury?

A

DVT

Pulmonary embolism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What additional medical complications can SCI patients experience?

A 
Asensory skin
Bladder incontinence
Inability to move bowels
Pain 
Erectile dysfunction 
Autonomic dysreflexia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How is the bladder affected in UMN and LMN lesions?

A

UMN - spinal reflex will cause bladder to empty spontaneously when full
LMN - spinal reflex will be absent, causing incontinence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What makes up the brainstem?

A

Medulla, pons, midbrain (inferior to superior)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What are the functions of the brainstem?
``` CV, respiratory and GI control Cranial nerves Ascending tracts to thalamus/cortex Descending tracts from motor cortex Reticular formation Neurotransmitters Consciousness ```
26
What is CN 1 and what is it's function?
Olfactory | Smell
27
What is CN 2 and what is it's function?
Optic | Vision
28
What is CN 3 and what is it's function?
Oculomotor | Extrinsic eye muscles, striated eyelid muscle, pupil constriction, accommodation
29
What is CN 4 and what is it's function?
Trochlear | Innervates superior oblique muscle
30
What is CN 5 and what is it's function?
Trigeminal Sensory to facial skin/muscle/joints/mouth/teeth (ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular branches) Motor to muscles of mastication
31
What is CN 6 and what is it's function?
Abducens | Innervates lateral rectus muscle
32
What is CN 7 and what is it's function?
Facial Sensory to skin of external ear and anterior 2/3 of tongue (taste) Motor to muscles of facial expression Secretomotor to lacrimal and salivary glands
33
What is CN 8 and what is it's function?
Vestibulocochlear | Hearing and balance
34
What is CN 9 and what is it's function?
Glossopharyngeal | Swallowing, carotid body, sensory to palate and posterior 1/3 of tongue (taste), parotid salivary gland
35
What is CN 10 and what is it's function?
Vagus | Motor parasympathetic, visceral sensation of pharynx/thorax/abdomen, striated muscles of larynx and pharynx (speech)
36
What is CN 11 and what is it's function?
Spinal accessory | Trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles
37
What is CN 12 and what is it's function?
Hypoglossal | Innervates tongue muscles
38
What position should a muscle be in for testing reflexes?
Under slight tension but not bearing any weight
39
What tendon reflexes are present in the lower limb?
Knee - patellar tendon | Ankle - Achilles tendon
40
What tendon reflexes are present in the upper limb?
Biceps Triceps Supinator
41
What is a Jendrassik manoeuvre?
Method of reinforcing tendon reflexes Upper limb - clench teeth Lower limb - pull locked hands apart
42
What tendon reflexes are present in the head?
Jaw-jerk reflex - masseter muscle (not usually visible)
43
What is the nerve root level of the jaw jerk reflex?
CN 5
44
What is the nerve root level of the biceps reflex?
C5/6
45
What is the nerve root level of the triceps reflex?
C6/7/8
46
What is the nerve root level of the supinator reflex?
C5/6
47
What is the nerve root level of the knee jerk reflex?
L3/4
48
What is the nerve root level of the ankle jerk reflex?
S1/2
49
What reflex is present on the sole of the foot and what does this test?
Plantar response/Babinski's reflex | Integrity of pyramidal tracts
50
What is a normal and abnormal plantar response?
Normal adult - downward curling of the toes (plantar flexion; 'Babinski negative') Normal neonate or adult with a lesion of the cortico-spinal projection - the reflex movement is opposite, with withdrawal of the foot and fanning of the toes ('Babinski-positive')
51
What are the 2 methods by which the ball of the thumb has higher sensory innervation than the upper limb?
Distribution of cutaneous receptors - higher density of touch receptors Two-point discrimination - smaller and closer receptive fields
52
What is the cranial cavity comprised of?
Anterior, middle and posterior cranial fossa
53
What route does the internal carotid artery take to supply the brain?
Passes under the dura of the middle cranial fossa to supply the underside of the brain
54
Through which hole in the skull does the olfactory nerve pass?
Cribiform plate (roof of nasal cavity)
55
Through which hole in the skull does the optic nerve pass?
Optic foramen
56
Through which hole in the skull does the oculomotor nerve pass?
Superior orbital fissure
57
What is the position of the trochlear nerve relative to the oculomotor nerve?
Behind, lateral to and smaller than the oculomotor nerve
58
Where does the trigeminal nerve arise from?
Pons
59
Through which holes in the skull do the branches of the trigeminal nerve pass?
Ophthalmic - superior orbital fissure Maxillary - foramen rotundum Mandibular - foramen ovale
60
Which cranial nerve has the longest course in the cranial cavity?
Abducens (CN 6)
61
Through which hole in the skull does the facial nerve pass and which other nerve passes with it?
Internal acoustic meatus | Vestibulocochlear (CN 8)
62
Through which hole in the skull does the vestibulocochlear nerve pass and which other nerve passes with it?
Internal acoustic meatus | Facial (CN 7)
63
In which bone is the internal acoustic meatus found?
Temporal bone
64
Which nerves exit the skull through the jugular foramen?
Glossopharyngeal (CN 9), vagus (CN 10) and accessory (CN 11)
65
Through which hole in the skull does the glossopharyngeal nerve pass?
Jugular foramen
66
Through which hole in the skull does the vagus nerve pass?
Jugular foramen
67
Through which hole in the skull does the spinal accessory nerve pass?
Jugular foramen
68
Through which hole in the skull does the hypoglossal nerve pass?
Hypoglossal canal
69
Through which hole in the skull does the trochlear nerve pass?
Superior orbital fissure
70
Through which hole in the skull does the abducens nerve pass?
Superior orbital fissure
71
What cranial nerves pass through the superior orbital fissure?
Oculomotor Trochlear Abducens Trigeminal (ophthalmic branch)
72
What cranial nerves pass through the internal acoustic meatus?
Facial | Vestibulocochlear
73
What is the falk cerebri?
A large, crescent-shaped fold of meningeal layer of dura mater that descends vertically in the longitudinal fissure between the cerebral hemispheres of the brain
74
What is the tentorium cerebelli?
An extension of the dura mater that separates the cerebellum from the inferior portion of the occipital lobes
75
What is the function of the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli?
Stop the brain from moving excessively
76
What is the superior sagittal sinus?
Large venous channel running front to back in the midline inside the attached edge of falk cerebri Drains blood from central part of the forebrain and meets the inferior sagittal sinus to form the great cerebral vein
77
What do the superior and inferior sagittal sinuses meet to form?
Great cerebral vein
78
Where does the straight sinus receive blood from and where does it drain to?
Receives blood from the superior cerebellar veins and inferior sagittal sinus Drains into the confluence of sinuses
79
Where is the straight sinus found?
Junction between falk cerebri and tentorium cerebelli
80
Why is there slow blood flow in the cavernous sinus and what is the clinical significance of this?
Meshwork/labyrinth structure Infection (e.g. from a boil on the skin surface near this area) can cause bacteria to enter the sinus, clot the blood and cause cavernous sinus thrombosis
81
What is cavernous sinus thrombosis?
Blood clotting in the cavernous sinus prevents blood draining from the eye, causing swelling accompanied by an increased temperature
82
How might cavernous sinus thrombosis be caused by a dental infection?
Through the sphenoidal emissary vein which connects the back of the teeth to the cavernous sinus
83
What is the confluence of sinuses?
Where the superior sagittal and transverse sinuses meet
84
What is the sick role?
A role of sanctioned deviance; outlines rights and responsibilities of those affected by illness
85
What is illness behaviour?
The way in which symptoms are perceived, evaluated and acted upon by a person wo recognises some pain, discomfort or other signs of organic malfunction
86
What is the difference between disease and illness?
Disease - disorder of structure and/or function | Illness - expression and experience of ill health; psychological, social and cultural factors
87
What is the locus of control?
The degree to which the person believes that control to influence events resides with themself or others
88
What is internal locus of control?
Belief that they have the agency in their behaviour and ability to influence the world about them
89
What is the external locus of control?
Belief that they have little control over events and that outcomes will be determined by others or by fate
90
What are some common illness behaviours?
``` Consulting behaviours Adherence to treatment Health promoting behaviours Avoidance Unhelpful coping strategies – drugs, alcohol ```
91
What is secondary gain?
When a patient unconsciously continues illness behaviours because of something which is positive about being ill
92
What factors are involved in adjustment to illness?
Managing uncertainty about the future/searching for meaning/dealing with loss of control Having a need for openness Need for emotional/medical support
93
What types of behaviour indicate good coping?
Optimal functioning, self-management strategies, reduced co-morbidity, helpful coping behaviours Optimistic – maintain morale, realistic Practical – here and now, problem-focused Willing to consider new strategies – flexible and open to suggestions Owns own decisions (internal locus of control) Expresses emotion but avoids extremes
94
What role do cytokines play in adjustment to illness?
Large number of non-specific symptoms are mediated through cytokines (e.g. weakness, fatigue, lethargy, anorexia) Pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. TNF, interferon) influence psychological symptoms (e.g. MI, diabetes, cancer) Interventions can target this (e.g. graded exercise, activity scheduling)
95
How can illness be self-managed?
``` Understanding illness Diet, exercise, lifestyle Symptom monitoring Decision making Use of medication Concordance with treatment ```
96
What psychological interventions are available for adjustment to illness?
CBT Motivational interviewing Acceptance and commitment therapy Mindfulness
97
In which bone is the foramen rotundum found?
Sphenoid
98
What does the foramen rotundum transmit?
Maxillary branch of trigeminal nerve
99
Other than CN 9, 10 and 11, what other structure passes through the jugular foramen?
Internal jugular vein
100
Where do the first order sensory neurons of the trigeminal nerve synapse with the second order sensory neurons?
Spinal nucleus of the trigeminal
101
Why is lumbar puncture contraindicated in a person with raised ICP?
Risk of neurological deterioration/herniation – low-pressure shunt is created by LP where CSF can escape which causes CSF pressure to drop and the mass which is causing raised ICP to move towards the site of the LP
102
What structures pass through the foramen magnum?
Vertebral arteries, spinal cord/brainstem and spinal accessory nerve
103
Briefly outline the passage of CSF through the ventricular system
Lateral ventricle → interventricular foramen → third ventricle → cerebral aqueduct → fourth ventricle → subarachnoid space of the meninges
104
Where is CSF resorbed?
In the arachnoid granulations
105
What are the arachnoid granulations?
Projections of the arachnoid membrane into the dural sinuses which allows CSF to pass from subarachnoid space into venous system
106
What is the primary blood supply of the visual cortex?
Calcarine branch of the posterior cerebral artery
107
What does the foramen ovale transmit?
Mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve
108
What is a vestibular schwannoma?
Benign primary intracranial tumor of the myelin-forming cells of the vestibulocochlear nerve (8th cranial nerve)

Head, Neck and Neurological Systems (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions