Neuroanatomy and neurological exams Flashcards
(50 cards)
What is the definition of neurological disorders?
Diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system
What does the CNS consist of?
Brain and spinal cord (White and grey matter)
What is found within the forebrain?
Cerebral hemispheres, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal nucleuu
The brain stem comprises of:
Midbrain, Hindbrain, Cranial nerves III-XII
What is the function of the midbrain?
Ascending reticular activating system (consciousness), relays vision and hearing, relays motor function
What is the function of the hindbrain?
Cerebellum (coorderination), pons (relays information between cerebrum and cerebellum), medulla oblongata (respiration and cardiac function)
What does the PNS consist of?
Cranial and spinal nerves
What are afferent neurons stimulated by?
Mechanoreceptors (pressure)
Nociceptors (Chemical, heat, cold, mechanical deformation)
Proprioceptors (golgi tendon apparatus, muscle spindles, joints, tendons)
What is the neuroanatomy of motor neurons?
Effector neurons; muscle, glands
What is the neuroanatomy of lower motor neurons?
Somatic a-neuron-cell body in ventral portion of spinal tract
What is the neuroanatomy of upper motor neurons?
Located in brain (cortex, medulla, midbrain) - voluntary motor control
Initiate movement, maintain tone in extensor muscles
Calming effect on reflex arcs
What are signs of lesions on lower motor neurons?
Loss of spinal reflex, loss of voluntary control, atonia, flaccid paralysis, rapid muscle atrophy
What are signs of lesions on the upper motor neurons?
Loss of ‘calming effect’, loss of voluntary control, reflex intact and may be hyperactive, hypertonia, spastic paralysis
What are the goals of a neurological exam?
To locate affected anatomical area of damage/effect
To make a differential diagnosis list
Veterinary diagnosis to decide on treatment and prognosis
Physio diagnosis to evaluate progress
What are the 8 steps to a neurological exam?
History
Behaviour and mental state
Posture and position of body at rest
Gait evaluation
Cranial nerve assessment
Postural testing
Spinal reflexes, muscle evaluation
Sensory evaluation
Name things you may check when looking at the posture
Head tilt
Head turn
Spinal curvature (scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis, torticollis)
Wide based stance
Define paresis
Some voluntary movement
Define paralysis (plegia)
Inability to move/weakness
What does the prefix ‘tetra’ mean?
Affects all four limbs (lesion cranial to T3)
What does the prefix ‘para’ mean?
Affects hind limbs (Caudal to T2)
What does the prefix ‘Mono’ mean?
One limb only, likely to be peripheral nerve damage
What does the prefix ‘hemi’ mean?
Affects both limbs on same side
Ataxia is loss of coordination of movement. What are the three types?
Proprioceptive (abnormal limb placement, limb paresis, weakness)
Vestibular (head tilt, rolling/falling to one side)
Cerebellar (Wide base stance, intention tremors)
Describe three ataxia gait effects
Hypermetria - longer protraction phase
Hypometria - shorter protraction phase
Dysmetria - uncoordinated irregular gait
