agnosia
inability to interpret information
agraphesthesia
inability to recognize symbols, letters or numbers traced on the skin
agraphia
inability to write due to a lesion within the brain and is typically found in combination with aphasia
alexia
inability to read or comprehend written language secondary to a lesion within the dominant lobe
anosognosia
denial or awareness of one’s illness (often with unilateral neglect)
aphasia
inability to communicate or comprehend due to damage to specific areas of the brain
apraxia
inability to perform purposeful learned movements or activities even though there is no sensory or motor impairment to hinder the task
astereognosis
inability to recognize objects by sense of touch
body schema
having an understanding of body as a whole and the relationship of its part to the whole
constructional apraxia
inability to reproduce geometric figures and designs (often unable to visually analyze how to perform a task)
decerebrate rigidity
characteristic of a corticospinal lesion at the level of the brainstem that results in extension of trunk and extremities
decorticate rigidity
characteristic of corticospinal lesion at level of diencephalon where trunk and LE are in extension and UE are in flexion
dysarthria
slurred and impaired speech due to motor deficit of tongue or other mm essential for speech
dysphagia
inability to properly swallow
dysprosody
impairment of rhythm and inflection of speech
emotional lability
characteristic of receptive aphasia where there is an inability to control emotions and outbursts of laughing or crying inconsistent with situation
fluent aphasia
characteristic of receptive aphasia where speech produces functional output regarding articulation, but lacks content and is typically dysprosodic
ideational apraxia
inability to formulate an initial motor plan and sequence tasks where proprioceptive input necessary in impaired
cauda equina injury
injuries that occur below the L1 level of the spine. Considered a LMN lesion
myelotomy
surgical procedure that severs certain tracts within the spinal cord in order to decrease spasticity and improve function
neurogenic non-reflexic bladder
bladder is flaccid as a result of cauda equina or conus medullaris lesion.
neurogenic reflexive bladder
bladder empties reflexively for a patient with an injury above T12 level
neurologic level
lowest segment with intact strength and sensation.
paradoxical breathing
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
paraplegia
injuries below level of thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine
rhizotomy
surgical resection of sensory component of a spinal nerve in order to decrease spasticity and improve function
sacral sparing
incomplete lesion where some of the innermost tracts remain innervated. Sx: intact saddle area sensation, toe flexor movement, and renal sphincter contraction
spinal shock
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
tenodesis
pts with tetraplegia that do not possess motor control for grasp can utilize tight finger flexors with wrist extension to produce a grasp
tenotomy
surgical release of a tendon in order to decrease spasticity and improve function
tetraplegia (quadpriplegia)
injuries that occur at cervical spine level
zone of preservation
poor or trace motor or sensory function for up to 3 levels below neurologic level
Open brain injury
injury of direct penetration through the skull to the brain. i.e. gunshot wound, knife penetration, skull fragments, etc
Closed brain injury
injury to the brain without penetration through the skull. i.e. concussion, contusion, hematoma, hypoxia, etc
Primary brain injury
initial injury to the brain sustained by impact. i.e. skull penetration, skull fx, contusions
(coup and countrecoup lesions)
Coup lesion
(primary brain injury) - direct lesion of brain under point of impact (local brain damage)
Countrecoup lesion
(primary brain injury) - injury results on opposite side of brain (rebound effect after impact)
Secondary brain injury
damage occurs as response to initial injury. i.e. hematoma, hypoxia, ischemia, increased ICP
(epidural and subdural hematomas)
Epidural hematoma
(secondary brain injury) - hemorrhage forms between skull and dura mater
Subdural hematoma
(secondary brain injury) - hemorrhage forms due to venous rupture between dura and arachnoid
coma
state of unconsciousness; unresponsive to external and internal stimuli
stupor
state of general unresponsiveness with arousal occurring from repeated stimuli
obtundity
state of consciousness that is characterized by state of sleep, reduced alertness to arousal, and delayed response to stimuli
delirium
state of consciousness characterized by disorientation, confusion, agitation, and loudness
clouding of consciousness
quiet behavior, confusion, poor attention, and delayed responses
consciousness
state of alertness, awareness, orientation, and memory