Intro to Nervous System Flashcards
define a hematoma and include the 3 types
bleeding in relation to the layers of the meninges; can be caused by head trauma
1) epidural
2) subdural
3) subarachnoid- this bleeding can be caused by pathology rather than trauma (like aneurysm)
draw and describe the meninges and the potential vs true spaces
most superficial is bone which is adhered to the dura mater
- epidural space: potential space
- dura mater
- subdural space: potential space as the dura mater is adhered to the arachnoid mater
- arachnoid mater
- subarachnoid space: the only true space and it contains CSF and vasculature
- pia mater which is adhered to the brain
describe the epidural hematoma including the clinical and gross findings, and s/s for patient
describe the imaging
blood between skull and dura mater
- usually due to skull fracture
- usually caused by the middle meningeal artery
- gross findings: blood clot causing cerebral compression and midline shift (shift to brain past center line)
- patient has rapid decline of consciousness and can die
convex toward the brain, like a lens
describe the subdural hematoma including the clinical and gross findings, and s/s for patient
describe the imaging
- blood between dura and arachnoid mater (potential space)
- caused by bridging veins
- gross findings: blood clot causing cerebral compression and brain injury
-can be acute= trauma or chronic= elderly
-can be simple- no brain injury or
complex- brain injury
- patient has slow decline (days/weeks), usually can result in death bc patient comes in too long after trauma
- imaging: concave, toward the brain like a crescent
describe the subarachnoid hematoma including the clinical and gross findings, and s/s for patient
describe the imaging
-blood between the arachnoid and the pia mater which is a true space
- usually cerebral artery
- trauma or aneurysm
gross findings: blood around vessel causes ischemia and swelling
-patient has the worst headaches and 10-15% die immediately
define epilepsy
group of related disorders characterized by reoccurent seizures
what is a seizure and what are the 2 types (and subtypes)
sudden random discharge of neurons that causes convulsions
1) generalized: involve both hemispheres and can be
a) convulsive
b) non-convulsive
2) focal: involve part of the brain
a) simple
b) complex
describe the EEG activity during different types of seizures: partial vs generalized
- a partial seizure EEG will have half EEG be abnormal and a
- generalized seizure EEG will show all abnormal
what are the classifications of a generalized seizure?
1) convulsive:
a) absence: atypical absence, myoclonic absence, eyelid myoclonia
2) non convulsive:
a) tonic clonic : aka the gran mal. tonic= stiffing and clonic=muscle jerks
- afterwards the person is drowsy
b) myoclonic: can have clusters of jerking of muscle groups
c) atonic: lose all muscle tone and drop to the ground
what are the classifications of focal seizures?
1) simple: retain awareness, almost like an aura lasting for less than 2 minutes.
2) complex: altered awareness, dyscognitive…these can evolve to bilateral convulsions
what are the causes of epilepsy?
idiopathic- no known cause with normal EEG, imaging, IQ, and neurological exam
cryptogenic: abnormal imaging and no known cause
symptomatic: known cause and either genetic or acquired
how is epilepsy treated?
70% of pt take anticonvulsant medications
What is the functional difference between dorsal and ventral roots?
Ventral roots carry motor fibers, both somatic and visceral. Dorsal roots carry sensory fibers. (N 169, TG 1-17)
What are the relations of the denticulations and the denticulate ligament to the roots of spinal nerves?
how many are there
21
The denticulations separate the dorsal and ventral roots by lying between them.
