2d. Spinal Cord Pathology

Question 1

Progressive Damage to the Spinal Cord

- Stages

Answer 1

1. Mild damage = pain and protective muscle spasm
2. Destruction of large superficial proprioceptive fibres
3. Destruction of motor neurones
4. Destruction of deep pain sensory axons

Question 2

Progressive Damage to the Spinal Cord

- 4 Effects of Destruction of Proprioceptive Fibres

Answer 2

• Dysmetria = uncoordinated running
• Hypermetria = running in a strange exaggerated way
• Wise-based stance
• Trunkal ataxia where the trunk swings form side to side

Question 3

Progressive Damage to the Spinal Cord

- 1 Effect of Destruction of Motor Neurones

Answer 3

Partial or total paralysis

Question 4

Progressive Damage to the Spinal Cord

- Destruction of Pain Sensory Axons

Answer 4

Loss of deep pain sensation

Question 5

Lower Motor Neurone Damage

- 3 Effects

Answer 5

• Hypotonia
• Reduced reflexes
• Flaccid paralysis

Question 6

Upper Motor Neurone Damage

- 3 Effects

Answer 6

• Hypertonia
• Increased reflexes
• Spastic paralysis

Question 7

Upper Motor Neurones

- Cell Body Location

Answer 7

Primary motor cortex

Animals:

• Red nuclei
• Vestibular nuclei