Descending Tracts Flashcards
What is horners syndrome?
Horner’s syndrome is a rare condition caused by damage to the sympathetic nerves of the face and eye. It’s characterized by a combination of drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis), constriction of the pupil (miosis), and decreased sweating on the affected side of the face (anhidrosis). It can be caused by various underlying conditions, including injury, tumors, or neurological disorders.
Difference between upper motor neuron palsy and bells palsy?
Upper motor neuron (UMN) palsy and Bell’s palsy both involve facial weakness, but they have different causes and manifestations:
1. Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) Palsy:
- Caused by damage to the motor cortex or corticospinal tract in the brain.
- Results in weakness or paralysis on the opposite side of the body from the affected hemisphere of the brain.
- Facial weakness in UMN palsy typically affects only the lower part of the face, sparing the forehead due to bilateral innervation.
- Reflexes, such as the jaw jerk reflex, are often exaggerated.
- There may be associated muscle stiffness or spasticity.
2. Bell’s Palsy:
- Bell’s palsy is a type of “*peripheral facial nerve palsy**, usually idiopathic (without a known cause).
- It involves damage to the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), often due to inflammation or compression.
- Results in weakness or paralysis on the same side of the face as the affected nerve.
- Facial weakness in Bell’s palsy typically affects the entire half of the face, including the forehead, due to unilateral involvement of the facial nerve.
- Reflexes are usually normal.
- Bell’s palsy is often associated with sudden onset and may be accompanied by symptoms such as facial pain, altered taste, or increased sensitivity to sound.
In summary, while both conditions result in facial weakness, UMN palsy involves damage to the central nervous system (brain), affecting the opposite side of the body, while Bell’s palsy involves damage to the peripheral facial nerve, typically affecting only the same side of the face.
What is Gullian Barre syndrome?
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves. This can lead to muscle weakness, tingling sensations, and in severe cases, paralysis. It often follows a viral or bacterial infection. Treatment typically involves supportive care and sometimes immunotherapy. Most people recover from GBS, but it can be a serious condition requiring medical attention.
