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UL PARAMEDICS > THE CNS + BRAIN > Flashcards

THE CNS + BRAIN Flashcards

(65 cards)

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1
Q

What are the two parts the PNS is divided into?

A
  • Somatic NS (voluntary)
  • autonomic (involuntary)
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2
Q

How many cranial nerve pairs are there?

A

12

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3
Q

How many spinal nerve pairs are there?

A

31

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4
Q

How long is the spinal cord

A

~45cm

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5
Q

What are the segments of the spine and how many vertebrae are in each?

A

Cervical - 7
Thoracic - 12
Lumbar - 5
Sacral - 5
Coccyx - 4

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6
Q

What segment of the spinal cord is responsible for breathing

A

C1-C4

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7
Q

What is the breakdown of spinal nerves?

A

C-8
T-12
L-5
S - 5
C- 1

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8
Q

Where is a lumbar puncture preformed?

A

Below L2

  • spinal cord ends around L2
  • meninges containing CSF extend further
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9
Q

What are the parts of the spinal cord?

A
  • Dorsal Root
  • Ventral Root
  • grey matter
  • white matter
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10
Q

What is the function of the dorsal root?

A

Carries sensory (afferent) info to CNS

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11
Q

What is the function of the ventral root?

A

Carries motor (efferent) into to muscles/glands

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12
Q

What is the function of grey matter in the spinal cord?

A

Consists of sensory and motor nuclei

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13
Q

What is the function of white matter in the spinal cord?

A

Consists of axons carrying into to/from the brain

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14
Q

What is the function of white matter in the spinal cord?

A

Consists of axons carrying into to/from the brain

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15
Q

What is the function of ASCENDING TRACTS in white matter?

A

Carry sensory info to the brain

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16
Q

What is the function of DESCENDING TRACTS in white matter?

A

Carry commands to motor neurons

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17
Q

What is the main difference between parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system?

A

Sympathetic prepares body for stressful situations
Parasympathetic encourages a state of calm and conservation of energy

EG:
PARASYMPATHETIC: decreases HR and BP
SYMPATHETIC: increases HR and BP

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18
Q

What is the origin and role of the phrenic nerve?

A

Originates from C3,C4,C5
Has a crucial role in respiratory function controlling the diaphragm for breathing

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19
Q

How much does the brain weigh?

A

~1.3kg

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20
Q

What is a synapse?

A

Junction between two neurons that allow signals to pass between them

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21
Q

What are the major parts of the brain?

A

Cerebrum
Cerebellum
Diencephalon
Brain stem

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22
Q

What are the parts of the neuron?

A

Soma
Axon
Myelin

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23
Q

Tell me about the cerebrum?

A

Front of brain

RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Basically everything)
- co-ordination/movement
- speech
-temp regulation
- thinking and reasoning
- emotions
-learning
- problem solving

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24
Q

What is the cerebral cortex?

A

Outer grey matter covering the cerebrum

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25
What is matter grey/white (This is kinda just a nice to know)
Grey matter has no myelin (fatty covering) which gives the white colour on scan
26
What is the brain stem and what are the parts?
* connects cerebrum with spinal cord * -midbrain (mescephalon) - pons - medulla
27
Tell me about the midbrain?
AKA mescephalon RESPONSIBILITIES: - motor control - sensory processing - visual reflexes ¡Rich in dopamine neurons - affected by Parkinson’s!
28
Tell me about the Pons
- Connects midbrain to medulla - origin for 4/12 cranial nerves RESPONSIBILITIES: - tear production - chewing - blinking - balance - hearing
29
Tell me about the medulla?
Where the brain meets the spinal cord - essential to survival/reflex activities RESPONSIBILITIES: - HR - Breathing - Blood flow - central chemoreceptors - sneezing/vomiting/swallowing/coughing
30
Tell me about the cerebellum?
RESPONSIBILITIES: - co-ordinate voluntary movements - posture - balance - equilibrium
31
What is the function of the meninges?
Protective layer of brain and spinal cord
32
Layers of the cranial meninges?
DURA MATER- outer *passage of arteries and veins to supply blood* ARACHNOID - middle (CSF between) PIA MATER - hugs brain 🥺 (rich in veins and arteries)
33
What are the lobes of the brain?
Frontal Parietal Occipital Temporal
34
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
- personality - decision making - movement - recognition of smell *contains Broca’s area = speech ability*
35
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
Proprioceptive stimuli - relation of one’s body compared to objects in space *contains wernickes area = understand spoken language*
36
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
Vision
37
What is the function of the temporal lobe?
Short term memory/speech/musical rhythm
38
What is the function of the pituitary gland?
Releases hormones essential for homeostasis
39
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Links nervous system to endocrine system via the pituitary gland -temp regulation
40
What is the function of the amygdala
Part of the limbic system Regulates emotion and memory “Fight or flight”
41
What is the role of the hippocampus?
Memory/learning/navigation/perception of space *role in Alzheimer’s*
42
What is the function of the pineal gland?
Responds to light/dark Secretes melatonin - cicadium cycle
43
What is the function of the pineal gland?
Responds to light/dark Secretes melatonin - cicadium cycle
44
What is the function of cranial ventricles and CSF
Ventricles manufacture CSF CSF cushions the brain and spinal cord - washes out waste and delivers nutrients
45
How is blood supplied to the brain?
Vertebral and carotid arteries Vertebral arteries join together in brain stem and form basilar artery
46
What is the circle of Willis
Anastomotic arterial ring @ base of brain Provides connection between 4 main arteries in brain
47
What is a toxidrome?
Specific collection of signs and symptoms due to toxic effects of chemicals in the body
48
What is a toxic effect?
Undesirable but often unavoidable adverse effects caused by excessive pharmacological action of the drug
49
What are the types of asphyxiants?
Simple: displace oxygen from the lungs Systemic: interfere with oxygen transport
50
What are the effects of acute exposure to solvents, anaesthetics, or sedatives (SAS) toxidrome?
CNS depression leading to decreased level of consciousness, depressed respirations, and in some cases ataxia (difficulty walking/balancing)
51
What is an anticholinergic toxidrome?
A drug that blocks the actions of the neurotransmitter ACETYCHOLINE Inhibits nerve impulses responsible for involuntary muscle movements and bodily functions Used to treat overactive bladder, COPD, Parkinson’s
52
What are the effects of anticholinergic toxidrome?
- increased HR/BP - increased temp - dilated pupils - decreases sweating
53
What are cholinergic drugs?
Drugs that enhance/mimic the action of the neurotransmitter ACETYCHOLINE Used to treat nausea, urinary retention, cardiac arrhythmias etc
54
What are the cholinergic toxidromes?
- decreases pupils - increased sweating
55
What are the opioid toxidromes?
- decreases HR/BP - decreases RR - decreased temp - decreased pupils - decreased sweating
56
What are sympathomimetic drugs?
Adrenaline/ cocaine ❄️/ amphetamines
57
What are the sympathomimetic toxidromes?
- increased everything baby (Big zoomies)
58
What are the sedative-hypnotic toxidromes?
- decreased everything (Pupils the same?)
59
What is organophosphate poisoning?
Organophosphates (OP) for the bases of many insecticides/herbicides Patients can die of acute cholinergic syndrome REMEMBER: SLUDGE S- salivation L- lacrimation U- urination D- diarrhoea G- GI upset E- emesis
60
Opening in the base of the skull where the brain is attached to spinal cord
Foramen magnun
61
Opening in the base of the skull where the brain is attached to spinal cord
Foramen magnun
62
C1 and C2 are known as what?
Atlas and axis
63
How many ventricles are there
4
64
How much CSF is in the body?
150mls
65
What regulates temperature in the brain?
Hypothalamus

UL PARAMEDICS (39 decks)

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