Neurology and Brain Disorders Flashcards

Flashcards covering major brain areas, autonomic nervous system functions, levels of consciousness, speech disorders, and trauma-related conditions based on Chapter 14 lecture notes.

Broca's area

Located in the left cortex of the frontal lobe; responsible for speech expression.

Wernicke's area

Located in the left cortex of the temporal lobe; responsible for the comprehension of speech.

Medulla oblongata

Contains control and coordination centers for respiration and cardiovascular activity, as well as reflex centers for swallowing, vomiting, and coughing.

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

The system responsible for arousal or awareness.

$\beta-1$ (beta-1) Receptor

A Sympathetic Nervous System receptor that increases the rate and force of heart contractions and increases renin secretion.

$\alpha-1$ (alpha-1) Receptor

A Sympathetic Nervous System receptor associated with vasoconstriction, pupil dilation, and constriction of the bladder sphincters.

Left Hemisphere Damage

Causes loss of logical thinking ability, analytical skills, intellectual abilities, and communication skills.

Lethargy

A level of reduced consciousness marked by limited spontaneous movement or speech, but the individual is easily aroused with normal speech or touch.

Obtundation

A state with mild to moderate reduction in arousal where the person falls asleep unless stimulated tactilely or with loud verbal stimulation.

Stupor

A condition of deep sleep where a person arouses only to vigorous stimulation and responds by withdrawing or grabbing at the stimulus.

Glasgow Coma Scale

An assessment tool based on three criteria: Eye opening ($4$), Motor response ($6$), and Verbal response ($5$), where a score of $15$ is normal.

Locked-in syndrome

A condition in which an individual is aware and capable of thinking but is paralyzed and cannot communicate.

Decorticate (Flexor) Posturing

Inward movement of arms toward the "cord" due to problems with the cervical spinal tract or cerebral hemisphere.

Decerebrate (Extensor) Posturing

Extensor posturing where arms are positioned like "e's" due to problems within the midbrain or pons.

Hemianopia

Visual loss where damage to the optic tract or occipital lobe causes loss of the visual field on the side opposite to the damage.

Aphasia

The inability to comprehend or express language; classified as receptive, expressive, or global.

Agnosia

The loss of recognition or association.

Cushing's reflex

A response to cerebral ischemia where systemic vasoconstriction results in increased blood pressure and a slow heart rate.

Herniation

The most serious complication of IICP where increased pressure pushes brain tissue downward, causing pressure on the middle brain or brainstem.

Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)

Temporary localized reductions of blood flow in the brain, which may serve as a warning sign for atherosclerosis.

Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVAs)

Also known as a stroke; an infarction of brain tissue resulting from a lack of blood due to occlusion or rupture of a vessel.

Guillain-Barre syndrome

An inflammatory condition of the PNS involving ascending paralysis that can affect the diaphragm and respiratory muscles.

Concussion

Minimal brain trauma characterized by reversible interference with brain function following a mild blow or whiplash injury.

Contrecoup injury

An injury where the area of the brain contralateral to the site of direct damage is injured as the brain bounces off the skull.

Epidural hematoma

Bleeding that occurs between the dura mater and the skull.

Subdural hematoma

Bleeding that develops between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater.

Spinal shock

An initial period post-injury where all neurologic activity ceases below the level of injury, including flaccid paralysis and absence of reflexes.

Autonomic Dysreflexia

A massive sympathetic reflex response triggered by stimuli like bladder distention, causing high blood pressure, vasoconstriction below the injury, and bradycardia.

Tetraplegia

Paralysis of all four extremities, also referred to as quadriplegia.

Aura

A visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, or sensory warning that occurs before a seizure.

Status Epilepticus

A seizure lasting more than $5$ to $10+$ minutes, or recurrent seizures without a normal return to consciousness in between.