Neurology Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering key vocabulary, anatomical structures, and physiological processes discussed in the neurology lecture.

Clonus

A rapid succession of alternating contractions and partial relaxations of a muscle occurring in some nervous system diseases.

Decerebrate Posturing

Rigid extension of all four extremities with hyperpronation of the forearms and plantar flexion of the feet

Decorticate Posturing

Posturing manifested by the obtunded patient pulling arms and hands medially toward the center (core) of the body in response to noxious (harmful) stimuli.

Dermatome

The lateral wall of a somite from which the dermis is produced.

Encephalitis

An acute inflammation of the brain and spinal cord involving the meninges, often due to a virus.

Epilepsy

A chronic disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures secondary to any underlying brain abnormality.

Hemiparesis

Muscular weakness or partial paralysis restricted to one side of the body.

Hemiplegia

Total or partial paralysis of one side of the body that results from disease of or injury to the motor centers of the brain.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

Pressure that occurs inside the skull, usually between 5 and 15 mmHg, contained within the brain tissue and CSF.

Glasgow Coma Scale

A clinical assessment tool used to evaluate a patient's level of consciousness based on Verbal Response, Eye Opening, and Best Motor Response.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)

A post infectious disorder following a nonspecific gastrointestinal or respiratory infection that causes an acute neuromuscular paralysis.

Lethargy

The quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, or indifferent; abnormal drowsiness

Meninges

Any of the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord and include the Arachnoid, Dura Mater, and Pia Mater

Meningitis

A disease marked by the inflammation of the meninges that is either a relatively mild illness caused by a virus, or a more severe life-threatening illness causes by a bacterium.

Paresthesia

A sensation of pricking, tingling, or creeping on the skin having no objective cause and usually associated with injury or irritation of a sensory nerve or nerve root.

Reflex

A reflected action, particularly an involuntary action or movement. Superficial and Deep tendon reflexes are used to evaluate the function of specific spine segmental levels.

Seizure

A sudden change in sensation, behavior, or movement. The most severe form of seizure produces violent muscle contractions called convulsions.

Status Epilepticus

Repeated seizure or a seizure prolonged that may be convulsive, non-convulsive, partial, or subclinical.

Stroke

A sudden interruption of blood supply to a part of the brain or the rupture of a blood vessel, spilling blood into the spaces around brain cells.

Syncope

Loss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain; Fainting.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Sudden focal loss of neurologic function with complete recovery usually within 24 hours.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

An acquired brain injury caused by external force (as a blow to the head sustained in a motor vehicle accident, or a fall, or shrapnel or bullet entering through the skull).

Vertigo

Sensation of dizziness, either of spinning oneself or of external objects whirling around oneself.

AOC

Alteration of Consciousness

A&O x 3

Alert and Oriented to Person, Place, and Time

ANS

Autonomic Nervous System

CNS

Central Nervous System

EEG

Electroencephalogram - A diagnostic test utilized to measure and record the activity of brain waves.

MACE 2

Military Acute Concussion Evaluation - Screening tool utilized by the military to assist the provider in diagnosing concussions.

PNS

Peripheral Nervous System

The central nervous system

Brain and spinal cord, is the main network of coordination and control for the body.

The peripheral nervous system

Nerves that enter and exit the spinal cord between the vertebrae, the 12 pairs of cranial nerves that travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord and all of the body's other motor sensory nerves

The autonomic nervous system

Coordinates and regulates the internal organs of the body, such as cardiac muscle and smooth muscle. It has two divisions, each tending to balance the impulses of the other.

Cerebrum

Two cerebral hemispheres, each divided into lobes.

Frontal Lobe

Contains the motor cortex associated with voluntary skeletal movement and fine repetitive motor movements, as well as the control of eye movements.

Parietal Lobe

Primarily responsible for processing sensory data as it is received and assists with the interpretation of tactile sensations, as well as visual, taste, smell, and hearing sensations.

Occipital Lobe

Contains the primary vision center and provides interpretation of visual data.

Temporal Lobe

Responsible for the perception and interpretation of sounds and determination of their source and is also involved in the integration of taste, smell, and balance.

Cerebellum

Aids the motor cortex of the cerebrum in the integration of voluntary movement and processes sensory information from the eyes, ears, touch receptors, and musculoskeletal system.

Brainstem

The pathway between the cerebral cortex and the spinal cord that controls many involuntary functions.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls respiratory, circulatory, and vasomotor activities and reflexes of swallowing, coughing, vomiting, sneezing, and hiccupping.

Pons

Controls reflexes of pupillary action and eye movement and regulates respiration.

Midbrain

Reflex center for eye and head movement and an auditory relay pathway.

Thalamus

Relays impulses between cerebrum, cerebellum, pons, and medulla, and conveys all sensory impulses (except olfaction) to and from cerebrum before their distribution to appropriate associative sensory areas.

Epithalamus

Controls sexual development and behavior.

Hypothalamus

Major processing center of internal stimuli for autonomic nervous system and maintains temperature control, water metabolism, body fluid osmolarity, feeding behavior, and neuroendocrine activity.

Pituitary Gland

Controls the hormonal control of growth, lactation, vasoconstriction, and metabolism.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that lead directly from the brain to various parts of the head, neck, and trunk (chest).

Olfactory Nerve (CN I)

Sensory nerve involved in smell reception and interpretation.

Optic Nerve (CN II)

Sensory nerve that conducts visual impulses from the eye to the brain, affecting visual acuity and visual fields.

Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)

Controls four muscles of the eye, raises eyelids, and influences pupillary constriction.

Trochlear Nerve (CN IV)

Supplies some of the eye muscles with movement, controlling downward, inward eye movement.

Trigeminal Nerve (CN V)

Supplies motor and sensory fibers mostly in the face, controlling jaw movement and sensation to the face, cornea, and nasal mucosa.

Abducens Nerve (CN VI)

Motor nerve supplying movement to the outer and lateral side of each eye, facilitating lateral eye movement.

Facial Nerve (CN VII)

Provides motor fibers especially to the muscles of the face and jaw, and sensory and parasympathetic fibers to the tongue, palate, and fauces

Acoustic Nerve (CN VIII)

Transmits impulses concerned with hearing and balance, contains both the cochlear nerve and vestibular nerve.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX)

Mixed nerves that supply chiefly the pharynx, posterior tongue, and parotid gland.

Vagus Nerve (CNX)

Arises from the Medulla Oblongata and supplies chiefly the viscera especially with autonomic sensory and motor function.

Spinal Accessory Nerve (CN XI)

Supplies chiefly the pharynx and muscles of the upper chest, back, and shoulders.

Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII)

Arises from the Medulla Oblongota, supplies muscles of the tongue