Neuroanatomy for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the neurology of speech, including terminology, definitions, and explanations of disorders relevant to speech-language pathology and audiology.

Conceptual Level

Involves thoughts, feelings, and ideas; primarily associated with prefrontal cortex and limbic system.

Linguistic Planning Level

Involves language content (semantics), language form (phonology, morphology, syntax), and language use (pragmatics); occurs in the dominant language hemisphere.

Motor Planning/Programming Level

Involves execution of specific phonemes, discrete movements of tongue, lips, etc.; includes Broca’s area and supplementary motor area.

Apraxia of Speech (AOS)

A motor planning and programming disorder characterized by groping for articulatory placement without muscular abnormalities.

Dysarthria

A group of motor speech disorders caused by neurological damage, characterized by muscular control issues.

Basal Ganglia

Regulates motor functioning, especially tone and posture for smooth motor movements.

Direct Motor Pathway

Also known as the pyramidal system; responsible for voluntary motor movement of contralateral limbs/speech muscles.

Upper Motor Neurons (UMN)

Part of the direct motor pathway from the brain to the spinal cord; damage can cause spastic muscles.

Lower Motor Neurons (LMN)

Part of the direct motor pathway from the spinal cord to muscles; damage can result in flaccid muscles.

Final Common Pathway (FCP)

The last leg of a motor signal’s journey involving alpha and gamma motor neurons for muscle contraction.

Cerebellum

Coordinates muscle movements for skilled and sequential actions; damage can lead to uncoordinated speech.

Sensory Pathways

Important for proprioception during speech; includes ascending tracts for fine touch and body awareness.

Mixed Dysarthria

Result from damage to multiple motor pathways, often seen in conditions such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Apraxia of Speech Symptoms

Include searching for articulatory placements and random substitutions without muscular abnormalities.

Dysarthria Types

Includes spastic, flaccid, hyperkinetic, hypokinetic, ataxic, and mixed, each with specific signs and causes.

Kinesthesia

The brain’s awareness of position and movement of body structures, vital for speech production.

Extrapyramidal System

Also known as the indirect motor system; responsible for posture and muscle tone with multiple regulatory pathways.