Neurological History and Physical Assessment

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the neurological history and physical assessment.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and transmitting neural signals.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of all the nerves outside the CNS, including cranial and spinal nerves.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves arising from the brain, each serving specific sensory and motor functions.

Olfactory Nerve (CN I)

Responsible for the sense of smell; sensory nerve located in the nose.

Optic Nerve (CN II)

Responsible for vision; sensory nerve that transmits visual information from the eye.

Trigeminal Nerve (CN V)

Has both sensory and motor functions; involved in sensation of the face and muscles of mastication.

Vagus Nerve (CN X)

Regulates autonomic functions of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract.

Subluxation

A partial dislocation of a vertebra that can lead to nerve interference in the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the PNS that controls involuntary bodily functions, divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that conserves energy and restores the body to rest.

Dermatomes

Areas of skin that are mainly supplied by a single spinal nerve root.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls a reflex action, typically involves sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

Cerebellum

A region of the brain that regulates balance, posture, and coordination of movement.

Cranial Nerve Testing

Clinical assessment of the functionality of cranial nerves through various tasks to evaluate sensory and motor responses.

Deep Tendon Reflexes

Involuntary muscle contractions in response to stretching; assessed during neurological examinations.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing or inability to swallow due to neurological impairments.

Dysarthria

A motor speech disorder resulting in unclear articulation of speech due to difficulty controlling the muscles used for speech.

Sensation Testing

A clinical examination method to assess the integrity of the sensory pathways and peripheral nerves.

Mini Mental Status Exam

A brief 30-point questionnaire used to screen for cognitive impairment.