Neuro random/general

Structures that protect the central nervous system

meninges, cerebrospinal fluid, skull, and vertebral column

What is gray matter

unmyelinated neurons - contains capillaries, glial cells, cell bodies, and dendrites

What is white matter

myelinated axons - contains nerve fibers without dendrites

three funiculi of white matter of spina cord

anterior, lateral, and dorsal columns

How many pairs of cranial nerves are there

12

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there

31

What protects PNS nerves

spinal sheaths, though relatively unprotected

Which root/fibers carry motor information away from the CNS?

anterior root/efferent fibers

which root/fibers carry sensory information to CNS

posterior, afferent

what is a ganglia

clusters or swellings of cells that give rise to peripheral and central nerve fibers (act as relay stations)

sympathetic division neurotransmitter

norepinephrine

parasympathetic division neurotransmitter

acetylcholine

interhemispheric fissure (medial longitudinal) separates what?

the two cerebral hemispheres

sylvian fissure (lateral) seperates?

anterior portion- temporal ad frontal

posterior portion- temporal and parietal

central sulcus separates

frontal and parietal lobes laterally

parieto-occipital sulcus separates

parietal and occipital lobes medially

calcarine sulcus separates

occipital into superior and inferior halves

Left hemisphere characteristics

language, sequence and perform movements, understand language, produce written and spoken language, analytical, controlled, logical, rational, mathematical calculations, express positive emotions, process verbally coded info in organized, logical, and sequential manner

Right hemisphere characteristics

nonverbal processing, process info in holistic manner, artistic abilities, general concept comprehension, hand-eye coordination, spatial relationships, kinesthetic awareness, understand music, understand nonverbal communication, mathematical reasoning, express negative emotions, body image awareness

mononeuropathy

isolated nerve lesion, associated conditions include trauma and entrapment

neuroma

abnormal growth of nerve cells, associated conditions include vasculitis, AIDS, and amyloidosis

peripheral neuropathy

impairment or dysfunction of peripheral nerves, associated conditions include diabetic peripheral neuropathy, trauma, alcoholism

polyneuropathy

diffuse nerve dysfunction that is symmetrical and typically secondary to pathology and not trauma, associated conditions include guillain-barre, peripheral neuropathy, use of neurotoxic drugs, and HIV

neurapraxia

mildest form of acute nerve injury, usually due to myelin dysfunction

axonotmesis

more severe acute peripheral nerve injury, damage occurs to axons with preservation of endoneurium, epineuriam, schwann cells, and supporting structures

neurotmesis

most severe grade injury to peripheral nerve, axon, myelin, connective tissue components all damaged or transected, irreversible.

characteristics of anterior horn cell pathology

• sensory component in tact

• motor weakness and atrophy

• fasciculations

• decreased deep tendon reflexes

muscle pathology characteristics

• sensory component intact

• motor weakness

• normal or decreased deep tendon relfexes

neuromuscular junction pathology characteristics

• sensory component in tact

• motor fatigue greater than weakness

• normal deep tendon reflexes

peripheral nerve pathology (mononeuropathy) characteristics

• sensory loss along nerve route

• motor weakness and atrophy in peripheral distribution

peripheral polyneuropathy pathology characteristics

• sensory impairments

• motor weakness/atrophy, weaker distally than proximally

• decreased deep tendon reflexes

spinal roots and nerves pathology characteristics

• sensory component will have corresponding dermatomal deficits

• motor weakness in an innervated pattern, may have fasciculations

• decreased deep tendon reflexes

Where is upper motor neuron lesion found

descending motor tracts within the cerebral motor cortex, internal capsule, brainstem or spinal cord W

Where is lower motor neuron lesion located

at or below the level of the branstem

athetosis

slow, twisting, writhing movements

chorea

brief, irregular contractions that are rapid

-typically secondary to damage of the caudate nucleus

dystonia

sustained muscle contractions frequently causing twisting, abnormal postures, and repetitive movements

tremors

involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory movements that are typically classified into: resting, postural, or intention