Neurological Status — Video Flashcards (Chapter 8)

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering concepts from CNS/PNS organization, UMN vs LMN lesions, dermatomes and myotomes, reflexes (deep, superficial, pathological), and major nerve plexuses and testing concepts discussed in Chapter 8.

Central nervous system (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord; the main control center of the nervous system.

Brain

A major organ of the CNS that processes sensory information, coordinates movement, and supports thinking and behavior.

Spinal cord

CNS conduit transmitting information between brain and body; contains ascending sensory and descending motor pathways.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Nerves outside the CNS that connect the CNS to limbs and organs.

Cranial nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves emerging from the brain; part of the PNS and control head/neck functions and special senses.

Spinal nerve roots

Dorsal and ventral roots that merge to form spinal nerves; organized by cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral levels.

Nerve plexuses

Networks of interwoven nerves formed by the ventral rami of spinal nerves, giving rise to peripheral nerves.

Cervical plexus (C1–C4) and phrenic nerve

Neural network in the neck; phrenic nerve (C3–C5) innervates the diaphragm.

Brachial plexus (C5–T1) and radial nerve

Neural network in the shoulder region; radial nerve supplies the posterior arm/forearm and hand.

Lumbar plexus (T12–L4) and femoral/obturator nerves

Nerve network in the lumbar region; major branches include the femoral and obturator nerves.

Sacral plexus (L4–S3) and sciatic nerve

Plexus in the pelvis; sciatic is the major nerve supplying the lower limb.

Goal of neurological examination

To rule out brain, spinal, or peripheral nerve pathology and localize the lesion.

Upper motor neuron (UMN)

Neuron in the brain or brainstem/corticospinal tract; lesions cause spasticity, hyperreflexia, and weakness.

Lower motor neuron (LMN)

Neuron in the anterior horn or peripheral nerves; lesions cause flaccidity, atrophy, and hyporeflexia.

Upper motor neuron lesion

Injury to corticospinal/pyramidal pathways; signs include spasticity, hyperreflexia, and Babinski.

Lower motor neuron lesion

Injury to anterior horn cells or peripheral nerves; signs include atrophy, fasciculations, and decreased reflexes.

Corticospinal tract

Descending motor pathway from cerebral cortex to the spinal cord; essential for voluntary movement.

Spasticity

Velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone due to UMN lesion.

Hyperreflexia

Increased deep tendon reflexes commonly seen with UMN lesions.

Hyporeflexia

Diminished or absent reflexes; often seen with LMN lesions.

Babinski sign

Upgoing big toe with plantar stimulation; indicates an upper motor neuron lesion.

Clonus

Rhythmic, involuntary muscle contractions in response to stretch; indicates an UMN lesion.

Monosynaptic reflex

A reflex arc with a single synapse between sensory and motor neurons (e.g., knee-jerk).

Deep tendon reflex (DTR)

Monosynaptic reflex elicited by tapping a tendon to assess the stretch reflex arc.

Jendrassik maneuver

Technique to enhance reflexes by having the patient perform an isometric contraction elsewhere (e.g., clench hands or pull apart).

Patellar reflex

Knee-jerk; deep tendon reflex of the quadriceps; primarily L3–L4.

Achilles reflex

Ankle-jerk; deep tendon reflex of the gastrocnemius; primarily S1–S2.

Superficial reflex

Cutaneous reflexes elicited by skin stimulation; can indicate CNS integrity and UMN status.

Cutaneous reflex

Reflexes elicited by skin stimulation (e.g., abdominal, plantar, cremasteric) to assess CNS function.

Pathological reflex

Abnormal reflex responses indicating CNS disease; often indicative of UMN dysfunction.

Oppenheim reflex

Pathological plantar response elicited by stroking the tibia; UMN sign.

Gordon reflex

Pathological plantar-like response elicited by stroking the calf; UMN sign.

Chaddock reflex

Pathological plantar-like response elicited by stroking the lateral malleolus; UMN sign.

Dermatomes

Skin areas innervated by a single spinal nerve.

Myotomes

Muscle groups innervated by a single spinal nerve root.

Reflex grading scale

Scale to rate reflexes from 0 to 4+; 0 absent, 1+ diminished, 2+ normal, 3+ exaggerated, 4+ clonus.

Plantar reflex

Response of the plantar surface; plantar flexion is normal; extension (Babinski) suggests UMN lesion.

Cremasteric reflex

Superficial reflex: stroking the upper inner thigh causes elevation of the ipsilateral testicle (L1–L2).

Anal reflex

Contraction of the anal sphincter in response to anal stimulation (S2–S4).

Capillary refill

Time for color to return to capillaries after pressure; assesses peripheral circulation.

Analgesic reflex

(Not included as a standard term in this set; placeholder removed.)