HA Neurologic (Exam 3)

Brain & spinal cord

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Cranial & spinal nerves

Peripheral nervous system

Cerebral cortex

Gray matter: frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, Wenickes area, and brocas area

Wernickes area

Brain area involved in language comprehension; usually in the left temporal lobe

Brocas area

controls language expression; usually in the left frontal lobe

Basal ganglia

Structures in the forebrain that help to control movement

Thalamus

Relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex

Hypothalamus

Directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion

Cerebellum

A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills

Brain stem

Includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla

Medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Right

Touch on the left side of the body travels to the __________ hemisphere

Spinothalmic tract

Part of the spinal cord responsible for pain, temperature, and light touch

Posterior columns

Part of the spinal cord responsible for position, vibration, fine touch

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter of sympathetic nervous system; adrenergic

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous sytem; cholinergic

Dorsal

Which horns of the spinal cord controls sensory

Ventral

Which horns of the spinal cord controls motor

8

How many spinal nerves are in the cervical

12

How many spinal nerves are in the thoracic

5

How many spinal nerves are in the lumbar and saccral

1

How many spinal nerves are in the coccygeal

Mydriasis

dilated pupils

Nystagmus

Involuntary rapid eye movements (twitches)

Romberg test

Patient stands with feet together and eyes closed for 30-60 seconds

Abnormal finding: patient cannot maintain balance

Pronator drift

involuntary turning or lowering of forearm when outstretched and pushed down

Abnormal test meaning: upper neuron disfunction

Plegia

Complete inability to perform any movement

Babinski reflex

Reflex in which a newborn fans out the toes when the sole of the foot is touched

Abnormal test meaning: problem with the brain sending signals to the spinal cord

Ataxia

Defective muscular coordination manifested when attempting voluntary movement

Apraxia

Inability to perform purposeful movement

Vertigo

Sensation of moving in space or having environment move around the person

Paresis

Partial or incomplete paralysis

Neuropathy

Nerve disease

Neuralgia

Pain along the course of a nerve

Paresthesia

Altered sensation such as numbness, tingling

Lethargy

Sleepiness or drowsiness

Somnolence

Prolonged drowsiness

Labile

Unsteady, changeable

Affect

Emotional reaction associated with an event expressed through facial expression and body language

Mood

Pervasive and sustained emotion that may influence one's perception of the world

Psychosis

Severe loss of contact with reality

Neuroleptic

Any drug that modifies or treats psychotic behaviors

Anxiety

Vague uneasy feeling of discomfort or dread accompanied by autonomic response

Anxiolytic

Drug that reduces anxiety

Forensic

Dealing with a victim or perpetrator of a crime or a person in prison

Dysthemia

Depressed mood

Euthymia

Evenness of mood, mental peace

Dysphoria

Depression and unrest; mood of dissatisfaction, restlessness, anxiety, discomfort

Euphoria

Exaggerated feeling of well-being or elation