Alterations in Perception/Communication
/Movement -- Neurological

Reading:

Porth, C.M. (2007)  Essentials of Pathophysiology:  Selected portions of chapters 33-37.

Purposes:

Review the normal anatomy and physiology of the nervous system as a basis for understanding the pathophysiological changes that occur in disease;

Describe the etiology and manifestations of increased intracerebral pressure and cerebral edema;

Contrast the types of cerebrovascular disease (thrombotic, embolic, and hemorrhage);

Distinguish between various types of hematomas;

Describe effects of spinal cord injury;

Discuss neural tube defects;

Compare and contrast neurological degenerative diseases, and the pathophysiologic basis of the manifestations and treatment of selected disorders.

Reading Guide:

Again, as in the last module, to help you determine which parts of the chapters are to be emphasized, refer to the written syllabus for guidance on included topics. 

Also, review the textbook website at http://thePoint.LWW.com/PorthEssentials for links to chapter-related resources with animations and chapter review questions.

Terminology:

Study Questions:

1. Does dysphagia or dysphasia have to do with difficulty in swallowing?
2. Why does thiamine help relieve symptoms in Wernicke's disease?
3. Is the pyramidal tract motor or sensory?
4. Why does an upper motor neuron lesion cause spastic paralysis and a lower motor neuron lesion cause flaccid paralysis? If poliomyelitis affects the cells of the ventral horn, would it cause a spastic or flaccid paralysis?
5. What effect does alkalosis have on neuronal excitability? What effect does acidosis have?
6. What are the three parts of the brainstem? From which portion do the 3rd and 4th cranial nerves have their origin?
7. Name a disease of the extrapyramidal system.
8. Which is less variable from person to person, the pain threshold or pain tolerance?
9. Which of the cranial nerves are purely sensory? Which are purely motor? Which are mixed?   Which carry parasympathetic innervation to smooth muscles, cardiac muscle, or glands?
10. What is the relationship between the tentorium cerebellum, the third cranial nerve, and pupillary changes (dilation) seen with increased intracranial pressure?
11.   What effect does increased pCO₂ have on cerebral blood vessels?
12. What is the most common type of nervous system disease?
13. Which of the three types of subdural hemorrhage (acute, sub-acute, chronic), occur in elderly persons or alcoholics?
14. Which of the neural tube defects listed here is least severe (myelomeningocele, meningocele, or spina bifida occulta)?
15. What are Kernig's sign and Brudzinski sign? When are they likely to be positive?
16. What cells undergo neoplastic change in "tumors of the brain"? Why do neurons themselves not undergo neoplastic change?
17. Why are benign tumors within the cranium nevertheless problematic in many cases?

Exercises: A & B for fun (well, learning if all goes well!), & Module 7 Exercise for credit

Only Module 7 Exercise counts for extra credit!

A. For each of the cranial nerves below, indicate whether the nerve is sensory (S), motor (M), or both (B) by typing in "S", "M", or "B". Please be careful not to type in any extra space.

B. Indicate whether the following descriptions refer to the sympathetic nervous system (S) or the parasympathetic nervous system (P) by typing in "S" or "P". Please be careful not to type in any extra space.

C. Test your knowledge by answering the Module 7 Exercise. Complete this exercise in Angel. You will get an extra credit point for completing this exercise.

Module 7 Exercise:

The deadline for participation in the discussion group for this module is midnight on Sunday, Nov. 12th.

This module, one of the longest, should be completed by Nov. 3 and will be tested on the exam scheduled for Nov. 16, 2006, 3-5 p.m. in Room 1050 SON.