Neurology, Blood Supply, and Cerebrospinal Fluid Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental terms in neurology, CNS structures, arterial supply via the Circle of Willis, stroke syndromes, venous drainage, CSF dynamics, and clinical tests for vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

Orthopedics

The field concerned with the correction or prevention of issues related to the skeleton and associated structures, such as tendons and ligaments.

Neurology

The branch of medicine pertaining to the structure, function, and diseases of the nervous system.

Biomechanics

The study focused on the mechanics of muscular activity.

Basal Nuclei (Basal Ganglia)

CNS structures—including the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra—whose primary function is motor control, particularly starting, stopping, and monitoring the intensity of movements, as well as acting as a filter for inappropriate responses.

Thalamus

The gateway for information entering the cerebral cortex; functions as a sensory relay center that sorts, edits, and sends information, while playing a role in emotions, visceral function, and memory.

Brain Stem

CNS structure consisting of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata that conducts sensory and motor information, contains 9 of the 12 cranial nerve nuclei, and helps control the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, pain sensitivity, alertness, and consciousness.

Superior Cerebellar Peduncles

Paired neuronal pathways that connect the cerebellum to the midbrain, which communicates with the cerebral motor cortex.

Middle Cerebellar Peduncles

Paired neuronal pathways that connect the cerebellum to the pons.

Inferior Cerebellar Peduncles

Paired neuronal pathways that connect the cerebellum to the medulla oblongata.

Cerebellum

Brain structure responsible for refining motor activity, ensuring smooth coordinated movements, maintaining posture and muscle tone, and influencing thinking, language, and emotion.

Circle of Willis

An anastomotic arterial system located at the base of the brain, fed by 3 arteries from the neck (paired ICA and VBA), delivering blood via 6 exiting cerebral arteries (paired ACA, MCA, PCA), and connected by 3 communicating arteries (ACOM and paired PCOM).

Vertebrobasilar Artery (VBA)

Arterial structure formed near the foramen magnum by the union of the paired vertebral arteries; supplies the brain stem, parts of the thalamus, occipital lobe, cerebellum, and temporal lobe.

Internal Carotid Artery (ICA)

Major paired artery entering the Circle of Willis that forms the anterior cerebral arteries (ACAs) and middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), supplying areas of the brain not supplied by the VBA.

Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA)

Paired artery exiting the Circle of Willis that supplies the portion of the brain controlling the lower body.

Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA)

Paired artery exiting the Circle of Willis that supplies the portion of the brain controlling the upper body.

Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA)

Paired artery exiting the Circle of Willis (formed by the VBA) that supplies the occipital lobe, parts of the thalamus, and temporal lobe.

ICA Occlusion CVA

Cerebrovascular accident affecting the internal carotid artery, leading to unilateral blindness, severe contralateral hemiplegia and hemianesthesia, and profound aphasia.

MCA Occlusion CVA

Cerebrovascular accident affecting the middle cerebral artery, causing alterations in communication, cognition, mobility, and sensation, contralateral homonymous hemianopia, and contralateral hemiplegia/hemiparesis with motor and sensory loss greater in the face and arm than the leg.

ACA Occlusion CVA

Cerebrovascular accident affecting the anterior cerebral artery, causing emotional lability, confusion, amnesia, personality changes, urinary incontinence, and contralateral hemiplegia/hemiparesis greater in the lower than upper extremities.

PCA Occlusion CVA

Cerebrovascular accident affecting the posterior cerebral artery, resulting in hemianesthesia, contralateral hemiplegia (face/upper > lower), cerebellar ataxia, tremor, homonymous hemianopia, cortical blindness, receptive aphasia, and memory deficits.

VBA Occlusion CVA

Cerebrovascular accident affecting the vertebrobasilar artery, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), limb weakness, upper motor neuron weakness of face/tongue/throat, loss of position/vibratory/two-point discrimination sense, diplopia, homonymous hemianopia, nausea, vertigo, tinnitus, syncope, dysphagia, and dysarthria.

Superior Sagittal Sinus

Dural venous sinus located between layers of the dura mater that drains blood from the top of the brain.

Inferior Sagittal Sinus

Dural venous sinus that drains blood from the inside of the brain.

Cavernous Sinus

Dural venous sinus that drains blood from the face and eyes.

Transverse Sinus

Dural venous sinus that receives drainage from all other dural venous sinuses and empties into the internal jugular vein.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear and colorless fluid similar to blood plasma containing small amounts of protein, glucose, and ions like $\text{Na}^+$ and $\text{Cl}^-$ that cushions and supports the brain and spinal cord.

Choroid Plexuses

Structures located in the ventricles of the brain that produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at a rate of approximately $500\,\text{ml}$ per day.

Arachnoid Villi

Structures situated within the dural venous sinuses responsible for reabsorbing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) back into the bloodstream.

Hydrocephalus

A condition caused by fluid accumulation when CSF reabsorption is obstructed or impaired (e.g., by tumor, infection, or hemorrhage), leading to head enlargement in young children or increased intracranial pressure in adults.

Increased Intracranial Pressure

Pathological condition characterized by exploding headaches, projectile vomiting, ataxia, vision loss, and seizures, which can eventually force the brain stem and cerebellum through the foramen magnum.

George's Test

A vertebrobasilar insufficiency test where a seated patient's neck is rotated and extended while holding vision on a stationary object for $20\text{--}30\,\text{seconds}$ to observe for vascular impairment symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or nystagmus.

Hautant's Test

A two-part test for vertebrobasilar insufficiency; Part 1 assesses neurological issues with arms extended and eyes closed, while Part 2 adds neck extension and rotation for $20\text{--}30\,\text{seconds}$ to test for vascular impairment indicated by arm drifting.