Neuro Pathophysiology Flashcards
(179 cards)
What are the three divisions of the afferent division in the peripheral nervous system?
somatic sensory
visceral sensory
special sensory (olfaction and vision)
What are the 2 divisions of the efferent division in the peripheral nervous system?
somatic motor autonomic motor (sympathetic, parasympathetic, enteric)
What is an example of an ANS reflex that Dr. Walker loves to talk about?
baroreceptor reflex, baroreceptors sense increase in pressure/stretch and send signal (afferent) to NTS which sends the signal to the VMC to be integrated and then transmitted down CNX to SA node and decreases HR
Describe the somatic reflex.
Sensory stretch receptors start AP that is send toward spinal cord, signal is transmitted through interneuron or directly to motor nerve which comes out of ventral portion of spinal cord and innervates the muscle to cause contraction
What are the primary functions of the CNS?
- integrates many incoming signals and coordinates appropriate outgoing neural signals
- carries out higher mental function - including memory and learning
What is the primary function of the PNS?
- connects CNS with peripheral structures
The spinal cord is an extension of the _______.
medulla oblongata
When do spinal nerves become apart of the PNS?
As soon as they exit the spinal cord, even though they still have their cell bodies in the spinal cord, if they exit they are considered part of the PNS
Where do the nerves for the cauda equina originate?
conus medullaris
What is the cauda equina?
Bundle of spinal nerves that resemble a horse’s tail, includes 2nd-5th lumbar nerve pairs, 1st-5th sacral nerve pairs, and coccygeal nerve
What regions/organs does the cauda equina innervate?
Pelvic organs, lower limbs, PSNS innervation to bladder and internal and external anal sphincters
What are the 3 demyelinating disorders?
multiple sclerosis (MS)
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
guillan barre syndrome (GBS)
What is the pathophysiology behind MS?
chronic degenerative disease of the CNS caused by misdirection of the immune system & T cells attacking CNS myelin protein; results in decreased number of dendrites and axons in the CNS; transmission along axon is slow
sclerosis refers to multiple scars (or scleroses) on the myelin sheaths
Does MS occur more in males or females?
females
What are some of the clinical features of MS?
fatigue, parathesias, unsteady gait, muscle weakness and atrophy, respiratory insufficiency, ANS dysfunction
What are some of the manifestations of brain demyelination in MS?
- seizures, spasticity
- emotional lability
- visual loss
- dysarthria, dysphagia
- cognitive dysfunction
What are some of the manifestations of spinal cord lesions with MS?
paresthesias, limb weakness, bowel and bladder symptoms
What are some of the manifestations of brain stem lesions with MS?
autonomic dysfunction
abnormal ventilatory drive
What causes relapses in MS?
Autoimmune assault on myelin which causes focal inflammatory demyelination
What causes remissions in MS?
inflammation subsides and conduction restored; Na+ channels restored and myelin repaired; can last weeks, months, or longer
What causes permanent dysfunction in MS?
axons are destroyed and no longer able to conduct signal
What are some of the anesthetic implications for MS?
- stress associated with anesthesia may worsen symptoms
- spinal anesthesia was avoided but now OK
- epidural and other regional techniques have been used w/o adverse effects
- Altered cardiovascular responses possible
- Avoid succ. due to hyperkalemia
- Prevent hyperthermia - slows conduction
Do patients with MS have upregulated, downregulated, or normal amount of NAchR at the NMJ?
upregulated
How does hyperthermia affect nerve conduction with MS?
slows conduction, 0.5 C temp increase may block nerve conduction in demyelinated fibers