Neurological System

What are the three parts of the brainstem?

Midbrain, Pons, and Medulla Oblongata

What is the main function of the brainstem?

Controls vital functions like heart rate, breathing, and consciousness

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Sympathetic (“fight or flight”) and Parasympathetic (“rest and digest”)

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

Increases heart rate, dilates pupils, slows digestion

What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

Slows heart rate, constricts pupils, increases digestion

What are dermatomes?

Skin areas supplied by a single spinal nerve

Why are dermatomes important?

Help identify the level of spinal or nerve injury

What are key things to assess in a neurological health history?

Level of consciousness (LOC), pain, seizures, dizziness, visual changes, weakness, abnormal sensations

What are early signs of increased ICP?

Nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, photosensitivity, change in LOC

What are late signs of increased ICP?

Cushing’s Triad: widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations

What does the cerebellum control?

Coordination, balance, and posture

What test helps assess cerebellar function?

Romberg test (balance with eyes closed)

What are superficial reflexes?

Upper & lower abdominal, cremasteric, plantar, and anal reflexes

What are deep tendon reflexes (DTRs)?

Biceps, triceps, brachioradialis, patellar, Achilles, and ankle clonus tests

What are meningeal reflexes used to test for?

Signs of meningitis (Kernig’s and Brudzinski’s signs)

What does the mental status exam evaluate?

Orientation, memory, attention, language, mood, and judgment

How many cranial nerves are there?

12 pairs

Function of Olfactory nerve (CN I)?

Smell

How do you test it?

Ask patient to identify familiar scents (coffee, soap)

Function of Optic nerve (CN II)?

Vision (sight)

How is it tested?

Snellen chart or visual field test

Function of Oculomotor nerve (CN III)?

Eye movement, pupil constriction, eyelid elevation

How is it tested?

Check pupil reaction to light and eye tracking

Function of Trochlear nerve (CN IV)?

Moves eye downward and inward

How is it tested?

Have patient follow object downward and toward nose

Function of Trigeminal nerve (CN V)?

Facial sensation and chewing muscles

How is it tested?

Touch face with cotton; ask patient to clench jaw

Function of Abducens nerve (CN VI)?

Moves eye outward (lateral movement)

How is it tested?

Ask patient to look side to side

Function of Facial nerve (CN VII)?

Facial expression, taste (front 2/3 of tongue), tear & saliva production

How is it tested?

Ask patient to smile, frown, raise eyebrows

Function of Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)?

Hearing and balance

How is it tested?

Whisper test, tuning fork, Romberg test

Function of Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)?

Taste (back 1/3 of tongue), swallowing, gag reflex

How is it tested?

Check gag reflex and ability to swallow

Function of Vagus nerve (CN X)?

Controls heart, lungs, digestion; gag reflex; speech muscles

How is it tested?

Check ability to talk, swallow, and say “ahh”

Function of Accessory nerve (CN XI)?

Shoulder and neck muscle movement

How is it tested?

Ask patient to shrug shoulders or turn head against resistance

Function of Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)?

Tongue movement

How is it tested?

Ask patient to stick out tongue (look for deviation)

What does the GCS assess

Level of consciousness using eye, verbal, and motor responses

What is the GCS scoring range?

3 (deep coma) to 15 (fully awake)

What does “BE FAST” stand for in stroke recognition?

• Balance – loss of balance

• Eyes – vision changes

• Face – drooping

• Arms – weakness

• Speech – slurred

• Time – call 911 immediately

What is the cerebrum responsible for

Thought, memory, reasoning, emotion, voluntary movement

What does the cerebellum control?

Balance, coordination, and posture

What are the three parts of the brainstem?

Midbrain, Pons, Medulla Oblongata

What does the brainstem do?

Controls vital life functions (breathing, heart rate, blood pressure)

Function of the Frontal Lobe?

Thinking, planning, emotions, personality, voluntary muscle control

Function of the Parietal Lobe?

Sensation, spatial awareness, touch, pain, temperature

Function of the Temporal Lobe?

Hearing, memory, speech comprehension

Function of the Occipital Lobe?

Vision and visual processing

What is the limbic system responsible for?

Emotions, behavior, motivation, memory formation

Function of the Thalamus?

Relay station for sensory information going to the cortex

Function of the Hypothalamus?

Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, hormones, and sleep

Function of the Midbrain?

Controls eye movement, reflexes, and alertness

Function of the Pons?

Connects brain parts and helps control breathing

Function of the Medulla Oblongata?

Regulates vital functions — heart rate, blood pressure, respiration