Spinal Cord Pathology
Order by
12 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Friedreich's Ataxia | progressive degeneration of spinocerebellar and corticospinal tracts and dorsal columns; genetic cause-autosomal recessive disorder |
| Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis | Progressive degenerative disease of the corticospinal tract (upper motor neuron) and ventral horn cells (lower motor neuron) Lower neurons degeneration in the cervical cord results in weakness and eventually loss of control in muscle of the hand, truck and lower limbs. Involuntary twitching (fasiculation) occurs and bladder and bowel function are impaired due to descending autonomic pathways |
| Syringomyelia | 1- Syrinx (fluid-filled, slit-like cavity) develops in the spinal cord or brain stem (syringobulbia), causing damage to the crossing fibers of spinothalamic tract and resulting in neurological disability. Most secondary to trauma or congenital hydrocephalus (Arnold-Chiari Malformation). 2- Clinical manifestations include wasting of intrinsic muscles of hand, spastic weakness in legsshawl like, bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation in the upper extremities with preservation of touch and sensation. |
| Cervical spondylosis | degenerative condition of intervertebral discs in cervical region. Associated w/ degeneration of facet jts, hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum, and ossification of longitudinal ligament and bone spurring leading to spinal cord, nerve root and vertebral artery compression |
| Poliomyelitis | inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord; caused by an Enterovirus that attacks Anterior Horn Cells & sometimes motor nuclei of brainstem, often resulting in spinal and muscle deformity and paralysis (polio = gray); Systemic illness prior to neurologic symptoms Clinical Manifestation: Muscles become painful & stiff, LMN asymmetrical weakness with prominent atrophy over time; survivors often develop postpolio syndrome |
| Transverse Myelitis | inflammatory process of the spinal cord as a result of viral infection, MS, radiation myelopathy; Usually occurs at SC levels T4-6 or T10-12 Clinical Presentation: symmetrical severe muscle weakness of legs+arms, loss of reflexes, pain, non specific sensory loss, bowel/bladder dysfunction |
| Guillain-Barre Syndrome | Acute demyelinating, inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy causing primarily flaccid motor paralysis;affects nerve roots and peripheral nerves; assumed autoimmune etiology Clinical Presentation: ascending, symmetrical pattern of paralysis/paresis starting in the legs and spreading to the arms; noted clumsiness, foot/hand pain and/or tingling in a stocking/glove pattern; may require assisted ventilation |
| Tabes Dorsalis | Degeneration of fasciculus gracilis with a loss of vibratory sensation, two-point discrimination, and conscious proprioception; develops 10-20 years after syphilis infection. Also referred to as tertiary syphilis or neurosyphilis; Neurons in the DRG degenerate especially in the lower thoracic and lumbosacral segments Clinical Presentation: results in ataxia; stabbing pains in the trunk and legs; urinary incontinence and impotence; absence of knee and ankle reflexes |
| meningitis | inflammation of the leptomeninges and underlying subarachnoid |
| encephalitis | brain inflammation caused by a virus |
| Caisson disease | Decompression sickness; occlusion of epidural venous sinuses by nitrogen bubbles forced out of solution by rapid decompression; impaired venous return and hemorrhagic infarcts in spinal cord affecting the thoracic region first Clinical Presentation: joint pain, skin rash, edema, parasthesias and paralysis in LE more than UE |
| subacute combined degeneration | degeneration of corticospinal tracts, posterior columns, spinocerebellar tract caused by the inability to absorb vitamin B12 Clinical presentation: Loss of proprioception, vibratory sense, light touch, motor |
First Time Here?
Welcome to Quizlet, a fun, free place to study. Try these flashcards, find others to study, or make your own.