Nervous System/ SCI/ TBI Terminology

Question 1

agnosia

Answer 1

inability to interpret information

Question 2

agraphesthesia

Answer 2

inability to recognize symbols, letters or numbers traced on the skin

Question 3

agraphia

Answer 3

inability to write due to a lesion within the brain and is typically found in combination with aphasia

Question 4

alexia

Answer 4

inability to read or comprehend written language secondary to a lesion within the dominant lobe

Question 5

anosognosia

Answer 5

denial or awareness of one’s illness (often with unilateral neglect)

Question 6

aphasia

Answer 6

inability to communicate or comprehend due to damage to specific areas of the brain

Question 7

apraxia

Answer 7

inability to perform purposeful learned movements or activities even though there is no sensory or motor impairment to hinder the task

Question 8

astereognosis

Answer 8

inability to recognize objects by sense of touch

Question 9

body schema

Answer 9

having an understanding of body as a whole and the relationship of its part to the whole

Question 10

constructional apraxia

Answer 10

inability to reproduce geometric figures and designs (often unable to visually analyze how to perform a task)

Question 11

decerebrate rigidity

Answer 11

characteristic of a corticospinal lesion at the level of the brainstem that results in extension of trunk and extremities

Question 12

decorticate rigidity

Answer 12

characteristic of corticospinal lesion at level of diencephalon where trunk and LE are in extension and UE are in flexion

Question 13

dysarthria

Answer 13

slurred and impaired speech due to motor deficit of tongue or other mm essential for speech

Question 14

dysphagia

Answer 14

inability to properly swallow

Question 15

dysprosody

Answer 15

impairment of rhythm and inflection of speech

Question 16

emotional lability

Answer 16

characteristic of receptive aphasia where there is an inability to control emotions and outbursts of laughing or crying inconsistent with situation

Question 17

fluent aphasia

Answer 17

characteristic of receptive aphasia where speech produces functional output regarding articulation, but lacks content and is typically dysprosodic

Question 18

ideational apraxia

Answer 18

inability to formulate an initial motor plan and sequence tasks where proprioceptive input necessary in impaired

Question 19

cauda equina injury

Answer 19

injuries that occur below the L1 level of the spine. Considered a LMN lesion

Question 20

myelotomy

Answer 20

surgical procedure that severs certain tracts within the spinal cord in order to decrease spasticity and improve function

Question 21

neurogenic non-reflexic bladder

Answer 21

bladder is flaccid as a result of cauda equina or conus medullaris lesion.

Question 22

neurogenic reflexive bladder

Answer 22

bladder empties reflexively for a patient with an injury above T12 level

Question 23

neurologic level

Answer 23

lowest segment with intact strength and sensation.

Question 24

paradoxical breathing

Answer 24

form of abnormal breathing that is common in tetraplegia where abdomen rises and the chest is pulled inward during inspiration. With expiration, abdomen falls and chest expands

Question 25

paraplegia

Answer 25

injuries below level of thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine

Question 26

rhizotomy

Answer 26

surgical resection of sensory component of a spinal nerve in order to decrease spasticity and improve function

Question 27

sacral sparing

Answer 27

incomplete lesion where some of the innermost tracts remain innervated. Sx: intact saddle area sensation, toe flexor movement, and renal sphincter contraction

Question 28

spinal shock

Answer 28

physiologic response that occurs between 30-60 minutes after trauma to SC and can last up to several weeks. Presents with total flaccid paralysis and loss of all reflexes below level of injury

Question 29

tenodesis

Answer 29

pts with tetraplegia that do not possess motor control for grasp can utilize tight finger flexors with wrist extension to produce a grasp

Question 30

tenotomy

Answer 30

surgical release of a tendon in order to decrease spasticity and improve function

Question 31

tetraplegia (quadpriplegia)

Answer 31

injuries that occur at cervical spine level

Question 32

zone of preservation

Answer 32

poor or trace motor or sensory function for up to 3 levels below neurologic level

Question 33

Open brain injury

Answer 33

injury of direct penetration through the skull to the brain. i.e. gunshot wound, knife penetration, skull fragments, etc

Question 34

Closed brain injury

Answer 34

injury to the brain without penetration through the skull. i.e. concussion, contusion, hematoma, hypoxia, etc

Question 35

Primary brain injury

Answer 35

initial injury to the brain sustained by impact. i.e. skull penetration, skull fx, contusions (coup and countrecoup lesions)

Question 36

Coup lesion

Answer 36

(primary brain injury) - direct lesion of brain under point of impact (local brain damage)

Question 37

Countrecoup lesion

Answer 37

(primary brain injury) - injury results on opposite side of brain (rebound effect after impact)

Question 38

Secondary brain injury

Answer 38

damage occurs as response to initial injury. i.e. hematoma, hypoxia, ischemia, increased ICP (epidural and subdural hematomas)

Question 39

Epidural hematoma

Answer 39

(secondary brain injury) - hemorrhage forms between skull and dura mater

Question 40

Subdural hematoma

Answer 40

(secondary brain injury) - hemorrhage forms due to venous rupture between dura and arachnoid

Question 41

coma

Answer 41

state of unconsciousness; unresponsive to external and internal stimuli

Question 42

stupor

Answer 42

state of general unresponsiveness with arousal occurring from repeated stimuli

Question 43

obtundity

Answer 43

state of consciousness that is characterized by state of sleep, reduced alertness to arousal, and delayed response to stimuli

Question 44

delirium

Answer 44

state of consciousness characterized by disorientation, confusion, agitation, and loudness

Question 45

clouding of consciousness

Answer 45

quiet behavior, confusion, poor attention, and delayed responses

Question 46

consciousness

Answer 46

state of alertness, awareness, orientation, and memory