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Pathology Units 12-14 > Unit 12 > Flashcards

Flashcards in Unit 12 Deck (54)
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2
Q

Nervous System - Function

A

-Receives information from the body-Processes and interprets information-Produces response

3
Q

Nervous System - Structure

A

Central Nervous System (CNS)-Brain: located within the skull-Spinal Cord

4
Q

Brain Ventricles

A

Ventricles (cavities) in the brain produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

5
Q

CSF Circulation

A

Starts from:-> TWO LATERAL VENTRICLES; CSF moves through interventricular foramina -> 3RD VENTRICLE through cerebral aqueduct -> 4TH VENTRICLE through lateral and medial apertures -> SUBARACHNOID SPACE of brain and spinal cord

6
Q

Brain Trauma - ConcussionDefinition, results and symptoms

A

loss of cerebral control following injury (fracture, laceration, cutting, wound, hemorrhage)-immediate & temporary disturbance of brain function, disruption of normal electrical activity.Results in:-blood leaking into the brain-injection of spinal fluid into the brain -> molecular (chemical) disturbanceSymptoms:-drowsiness, loss of coordination, slow pulse, convulsions, projectile vomiting, stupor, comatose

7
Q

Brain Trauma - Contusion

A

a bruise - crushing (compression) of the brain-leads to hemorrhage-often accompanied by swelling-caused by fracture or trauma to the skull

8
Q

Brain Trauma - Laceration

A

cutting wound that penetrates the skull-results in hemorrhage, bleeding

9
Q

Intracranial (brain) hemorrhage - EXTRADURAL (EPIDURAL) HEMORRHAGE

A

-due to fracture, trauma to head-bleeding -> blood collects and proceeds down to brain-if unrelieved -> death can occur in days or weeks

10
Q

Intracranial (brain) hemorrhage - SUBDURAL HEMORRHAGE

A

-most severe fracture or injury-more rapid bleeding-if not relieved -> death within a few days

11
Q

Intracranial (brain) hemorrhage - SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE

A

Most sever due to laceration-very rapid bleeding into the brain-death occurs within hours

12
Q

Meningitis Process

A

Inflammation of the meninges-cause by microorganisms that spread into blood and CSF ->into meninges -> muscle paralysis -> respiratory failure (diaphragm) within 12-24 hours-may affect any age group:newborn -> elderly

13
Q

Bacterial Meningitis

A

AKA - Neisseria Meningitides-life threatening-may cause epidemic meningitis-spread by respiratory secretions

14
Q

Meningitis is caused by?

A

-Microorganisms-viruses (most cases)-Fungi-Protozoans-Cancers

15
Q

Fungal Meningitis

A

Common in people with impaired immune system (AIDS)

16
Q

Meningitis symptoms

A

headaches, stiff neck, fever, photophobia, vomiting

17
Q

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) -definition and process

A

Apoplexy/StrokeSudden death of some brain cells due to lack of oxygen caused by blockage or rupture of an artery in the brain->hemorrhage -> softening of the brain -> ischemia and infarction-effects depends on size of hemorrhage-3rd leading cause of death

18
Q

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) - Predisposing factors and symptoms

A

-Arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, thrombus or embolism in cerebral blood vessel, aneurysm-most common symptom is weakness or paralysis of one side of the body with partial or complete loss of voluntary movement or sensation in a leg or arm

19
Q

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) - definition, causes and symptoms

A

Temporary lack of circulation to a part of the brain-mini stroke (lasting minutes to hours)-warning sign for stroke-temporary reduction in blood flow (ischemia) to brain-most often caused by clot, narrowing (atherosclerosis) or blockage in a carotid artery-temporary symptoms - loss of sensation, movement, speech, mental function or vision-signs and symptoms generally disappear completely within 24 hours (after resumption of blood-flow)

20
Q

Hydrocephalus - definition, causes and symptoms

A

Excessive accumulation of CSF in the ventricles of the brain.Usually due to obstruction of flow of CSF out of the brain-congenital defect-in newborns: toxoplasmosis-infection (encephalitis), brain tumorcan result in:-brain damage, mental changes-bulging eyes, tight scalp, prominent head vein

21
Q

Encephalitis - definition and causes

A

Inflammation of brain tissuecaused by bacteria (Staph, Strep), viruses (herpes, encephalitis virus) or complication of measles, or chickenpox-equine encephalitis: Horse ->mosquito ->human-west nile virus-infection usually spread from upper respiratory tract, sinuses, ears, or eyes

22
Q

Encephalitis : Symptoms

A

-swelling of the brain-fever, headache, body aches, skin rash & swollen lymph nodes-sever infections - high fever, stiff neck, stupor (sleepiness), disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions, paralysis and rarely death- death rates 3% to 15% (higher in elderly than in younger)

23
Q

Neurosyphilis - Definition and damage

A

Late stages of syphilis often affect the brain and spinal cordDamage to the brain:-includes general paresis (incomplete paralysis)-can result in dementia, deafness, blindness, paralysis, insanityDamage to Spinal Cord:-TABES DORSALIS = slowly progressive degeneration of the spinal cord that occurs in late phase of syphilis, results in locomotive ataxia (wobbliness)

24
Q

Cerebral (Brain) Abscess - Definition, cause and result

A

Mass of immune cells, pus, and other material draining into deeper brain tissueUsually from a bacterial (Staph, Strep, Pseudomonas) or fungal infection-bacteria can get to the brain from injury, respiratory tract, ear or eye infectionresults in NECROSIS of healthy brain tissue - Encephalomalacia (brain softening)

25
Q

Encephalomyelitis - Definition, cause and results

A

Acute inflammation of the brain (encephalo-) and spinal cord (myelo-)can be caused by viruses which infect the nervous systemacute disseminated encephalomyelitis-occurs most commonly after acute viral infection such as measles (rubeola) -> autoimmune attack on nervous system

26
Q

Poliomyelitis (Polio=Infantile Paralysis) - definition, cause and results

A

Inflammation of the spinal cordhighly infectious, mainly affects children under 5spreads through oral or fecal-oral routeresults in:-fever, headache, sore throat, abdominal pain-stiffness of neck, trunk, extremities-Atrophy of group of muscle ->contraction -> permanent deformity-Paralysis in hours (e.g, respiratory, GI tract or leg)

27
Q

Rabies - Definition, cause and results

A

Acute viral infection of the nervous system of warm-blooded animals (wolves, cats, dogs)transmission by bite of rabid animal (rabies=madness, rage, fury)If left untreated -> 100% fatal in animalsResults in:-Hydrophobia (fear of water, attempts to drink water trigger laryngeal spasm)-increase in saliva production-abnormal behavior-paralysis -> respiratory failure -> coma -> death

28
Q

Neuritis - definition, cause and symptoms

A

Inflammation of a nerve or nervesCauses:-injury, compression, contusion-infection (tetanus, TB), inflammation-chemical poisoning (arsenic, lead), medication-neoplasm or stressSymptoms:-headaches, hyperesthesia (hypersensitivity), paresthesia (numbness, tingling), dysenthesia (painful sensation), muscular atrophy of part supplied by affected nerve, paralysis, lack of reflexes

29
Q

Tetanus - Definition and cause

A

Acute, infectious, life threatening bacterial disease that affects the nervous system.-caused by toxin produced by clostridium tetani -> toxin attaches to motor neurons-leading to painful muscle contractions, particularly of jaw (lockjaw) and neck muscles-found in animal feces, spores in soil

30
Q

Tetanus - Symptoms

A

painful, uncontrolled contractions of skeletal muscles -> gradually affects muscles of esophagus, neck, back, arms, legs-high fever-tachycardia (faster heartbeat-dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)-intense pain

31
Q

Epilepsy - Definition

A

Chronic neurogenic disease marked by sudden alterations in consciousness and convulsions.-a temporary lack of oxygen to vital brain centers-a recurrent seizures of unknown origin

32
Q

Petiti Mal Seizure

A

-Small-Loss of consciousness, usually for few seconds-No memory of the seizure, no complications

33
Q

Grand Mal Seizure

A

-Large-Loss of consciousness, muscle rigidity, spams of face, neck, arms, legs, person will thrash about-may result in cyanosis, breathing difficulty, tongue may be bitten, excess salivation, blood froth or saliva-generally lasts for a few minutes-no memory of the seizure

34
Q

Epilepsy - Predisposing Factors

A

Leading to seizures:-Congenital abnormality of blood vessels in the brain-Some disorders which block blood flow to the brain

35
Q

Alzheimer’s Disease - definition

A

Progressive and fatal brain disease due to formation of protein plaques, or tangles of nerve fibers in the brain that interfere with communication between nerve cells in the brain.-named for German physician Alois Alzheimers-Most common type of dementia

36
Q

Alzheimer’s Disease - Symptoms

A

-Amnesia (loss of short term memory, impaired recognition, forgetfulness-emotional upsets, confusion, mood changes-Inability to concentrate -> inability to complete simple tasks-irritability, agitation, restlessness, depression, hostility-motor disturbances, muscle rigidity, paralysis, apraxia (skilled movement)

37
Q

Cerebral atrophy

A

symptom of alzheimers-external surface of the brain with widened sulci and narrowed gyri mostly over frontal and parietal regions

38
Q

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - Definition, symptoms

A

AKA - Lou Gehrig’s diseasedestroys both: upper and lower motor neurons (brain and spinal cord)Symptoms: cramps, muscle weakness, uncontrollable twitching

39
Q

Parkinson’s Syndrome - definition and causes

A

degenerative disorder of the central nervous system basal ganglia (nuclei) causing faulty nerve signal transmission-insufficient dopamineCauses:-environmental toxins, no hereditary basis-trauma (often affect boxers)-Tumors, prior infections, drugs, atherosclerosis (more common)

40
Q

Parkinson’s Syndrome - Symptoms

A

-“tremors at rest”, rigidity of muscles, weakness of muscles, a forward plan-slurred speech-digestive and urinary difficulty-hypotension (low blood pressure)-in late stages: depression and dementia

41
Q

Multiple Sclerosis - definition and causes

A

degeneration of the brain and spinal cord-autoimmune disease - body attacks its own myelin (protective sheath, composed of lipids and proteins, around axons of some neurons-characterized by remissions and relapses and by the presence of sclerotic (hardening) patches of demyelination -softening of the spinal cord-ages 25-40

42
Q

Multiple Sclerosis - symptoms

A

-Loss of coordination (1st symptom)-optic disturbances-tremors-disturbance in neural pathways, local anesthesia and paralysis-Respiratory problems-loss of bowel and bladder control-paralysis to the limbs

43
Q

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease - definition and symptoms

A

degenerative neurological disorder of the brain-probably due to protein called a prion that folds abnormally -> which affects its functions-very rare-incurable, ultimately fatal-rapid development (6-12 months)-possibly from eating infected beefSymptoms:-personality changes, hallucinations-muscle twitching & stiffness-lacking of coordination-speech impairment

44
Q

CNS: Congenital Disorders

A

Cerebral PalsyMicrocephaly - small brain, occurs with Down SyndromeAnencephaly - no brain

45
Q

Cerebral Palsy - cause and symptoms

A

Motor disturbance present at birth, usually due to a congenital birth defect or birth trauma-nonprogressive, little or no mental damage-lifelong condition that affects communication between brain and muscles -> motor disturbance -> uncoordinated movementSymptoms:-limited motor skills, speech difficulties, learning disabilities

46
Q

CNS: Genetic Disorders

A

caused by gene mutations - permanent changes in the genetic material-due to radiation, chemicals, viruses-Autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive

47
Q

Autosomal dominant - Neurofibromatosis

A

genetic disorder of a particular tumor suppressor gene-peripheral nerve benign tumor-arise from fibrous coverings of nerves

48
Q

Autosomal dominant - Huntington’s Disease

A

neurological disorder that leads to progressive degeneration of brain cells -> loss of psychomotor control of body

49
Q

Autosomal recessive - Tay Sachs disease

A

-lack of enzyme (hexosaminidase A) that helps break down a lipid found in nervous tissue called ganglioside.-gangliosides build up in nerve cell leading to destruction of the brain and nerves-more common in certain Eastern European Jewish population

50
Q

Brain and Spinal Cord tumor

A

-most are benign-may cause hemorrhage in brain and spinal cord-ofthen are destructive due to pressure -> increased intracranial pressure -> headache, vomiting, problems with walking and coordination, double vision

51
Q

Gliomas

A

tumors originating in neuroglia (glial cells = supportive cells) of the brain or spinal cord-most common type of brain tumor-categorized by location and type of cells that originated the tumor

52
Q

Astrocytomas

A

Astrocytes, in brain or spinal cord-most common type of childhood brain tumor-in cerebellum

53
Q

Meningioma

A

-tumor of meninges (dura)-slowly growing, most common in 40 & 50 year old people-in cerebral hemispheres, under the skull-usually are separate from the brain and can be removed entirely during surgery-can recur & certain types can be malignant

54
Q

Retinoblastoms

A

malignant tumor of one or both eyes-retinal cells (primitive neuroepithelial cells = retinoblasts)-develops during infancy or early childhood-usually diagnosed by two years of age-probably hereditary

55
Q

Nervous system disorders and postmortem conditions

A

-brain purge-hemorrhage-atrophy-diminished circulation-discoloration