neuromuscular diseases Flashcards
(142 cards)
What are neuromuscular diseases?
disorders that adversely affect muscle function either primarily or via nerve or neuromuscular junction abnormalities
upper motor neurons are
completely contained within the CNS
where do upper motor neuron pathways being and end?
begin: cerebral cortex
end: ventral horn of the spinal cord
primary roles of upper motor neurons
directing, influencing, and modifying reflex arcs, lower level control centers and motor neurons and some sensory
upper motor neurons form
synapses with interneurons which then form synapses with lower motor neurons before projecting to the periphery
the corticospinal tract supplies the
voluntary muscles of the trunk and extremities
where does the corticospinal tract originate?
precentral gyrus
75-90% of the corticospinal tract decussates in the ___ and forms the ____
medulla; lateral corticospinal tract
10-25% of the corticospinal tract makes up the ____
ventral corticospinal tract and travel to the spinal cord
the corticobulbar tract supplies the
voluntary muscles of the head and follow the corticospinal tract until they reach the brainstem
where does the corticobulbar tract originate
in the precentral gyrus next to the lateral fissure of Sylvius
the corticobulbar tract innervates cranial motor nuclei _____ bilaterally except
III, IV, VI, IX, X, XI; except facial and hypoglossal
the corticobulbar tract is involved in
precise motor movements
lower motor neurons are located in
the brain stem or in the spinal cord
the lower motor neurons are responsible for
direct influence on muscles
lower motor neurons send axons out through nerves in the ____ to synapse on and control ____
peripheral nervous system; skeletal muscle cells
the lower motor neurons that pass through the spinal nerves primarily control
muscles of the limbs and the trunk
lower motor neurons that pass through cranial nerves primarily control
the skeletal muscles of the head and the neck
What happens when an action potential arrives and initiates synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction
Na+ channels open depolarizing the axon terminal causing VG Ca++ channels to open allowing Ca++ to enter the cell and vesicles to fuse and release ACh into the synaptic cleft, the ACh will bind to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane opening nAChR channels and depolarize the membrane
ACh in the synaptic cleft is broken down by
acetylcholinesterase
upper motor lesion characteristics
muscle groups are affected mild weakness minimal disuse muscle atrophy no fasciculations increased muscle stretch reflex hypertonia spasticity pathological reflexes (+ babinski)
lower motor lesion characteristics
individual muscles may be affected mild weakness marked muscle atrophy fasciculations decreased muscle stretch reflex hypotonia flaccidity (-) babinski sign
Types of lower motor neuron BULBAR diseases
bulbar palsies, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS- this is mixed upper and lower)
types of lower motor neuron Anterior Horn Cell diseases
poliomyelitis, motor system disease, polyneuritis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis