Neuro Basics and Examination for NPTE Prep FF

Final Frontier

FSBPT

Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy

APTA

American Physical Therapy Association

Neuro Differential Diagnosis

Identifying Neurological disorders based on symptoms

Stroke

Sudden interruption of blood supply to the brain

SCI

Spinal Cord Injury affecting motor and sensory function

TBI

Traumatic Brain Injury for external force

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves controlling sensory and motor functions

NICU Nurse

Works in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Broca’s Aphasia

Expressive aphasia with slow, hesitant speech

CN I

Olfactory nerve; responsible for sense of smell

CN II

Optic Nerve; responsible for vision

CN III

Oculomotor nerve; controls eye movements and pupil constriction

CN IV

Trochlear nerve controls superior oblique muscle of the eye

CN V

Trigeminal Nerve; providers sensation to the face and motor functions

CN VI

Abducens nerve; controls lateral eye movement

CN VII

Facial Nerve; controls facial expressions and taste

CN VIII

Vestibulocochlear Nerve; sensory nerve for hearing and balance

CN IX

Glossopharyngeal Nerve; taste and swallowing functions

CN X

Vagus Nerve; controls gag reflex and speech

CN XI

Spinal Accessory Nerve; controls shoulder shruggingC

CN XII

Hypoglossal Nerve; controls tongue movements for speech and swallowing

Strabismus

Misalignment of eyes due to nerve damage

Ptosis

Drooping of eyelid from oculomotor nerve impairment

Dilation of pupils

Enlarged pupils indicating nerve dysfunction

Rinne’s Test

Compares air and bone conduction of sound.

Weber’s Test

Determines lateralization of sound perception

Uvula Deviation

Indicates vagus nerve injury; deviates to opposite side

Cerebellum

Brain structure coordination voluntary movements and balance

Cerebrum

largest brain region; responsible for higher function

Paresthesias

Abnormal sensation, often tingling or numbness

Ataxic Gait

Uncoordinated walking pattern indicating balance issues

Hypertonia

Increased muscle tone; observed in biceps, hamstrings and calves

Upper Motor Neuron

Nerve pathway in the CNS affecting movements

Lower Motor Neuron

Nerve pathway in the PNS affecting muscle control

Vestibular Rehabiliation

Therapy for balance disorders related to inner ear

Frontal Lobe

Controls movement, emotion, and personality

Temporal Lobe

Responsible for hearing and language comprehension

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information and spatial awareness

Occipital Lobe

Responsible for visual processing

Wernicke’s Aphasia

Inability to comprehend language, produces nonsensical speech

Pupillary Light Reflex

Response of pupil to light exposure

Conduction Hearing Loss

Sound louder in affected ear during Weber’s Test

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sound louder in normal ear during Weber’s Test

Corneal Reflex

Involuntary blinking response to corneal stimulation

Ataxic Gait

Uncoordinated walking pattern often from cerebellar issues

Basal Ganglia

Group of nuclei involved in movement regulation

Proprioceptive Loss

Impaired sense of body position and movement

Sensory Function Loss

Loss of sensation, particularly in the tongue

Double Vision

Visual disturbance where two images are seen

Light Touch Sensation

Ability to perceive light touch on skinG

Gag Reflex

Involuntary response to stimulate throat

Pupillary Light Reflex

Constriction of pupils in response to light