Clinical Symptoms of Spinal Cord Disorders

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of neurogenic bladder as described?

Obstruction of the urinary tract

Structural lesions in the nervous system (correct)

Infection in the urinary system

Inflammation of the bladder lining

Which part of the nervous system is primarily responsible for bladder contraction?

Somatic nervous system

Cerebral cortex

Sympathetic nervous system

Parasympathetic nervous system (correct)

In cases of underactive bladder, what is the primary symptom experienced?

Pain during urination

Incontinence

Frequent urination

Inability to urinate (correct)

What effect does the stretching of the bladder have according to the neurogenic bladder process?

Stimulates afferent neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is involved in the central pathway for bladder control?

Thalamus Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the dysfunctional connection between the pons micturition center and the spinal cord?

Uncontrolled urination Signup and view all the answers

What role do sympathetic nerves play in bladder function?

Contracting internal sphincter Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is associated with a frequent urge to urinate as a symptom?

Overactive bladder Signup and view all the answers

What clinical feature is NOT associated with anterior cord syndrome?

Strength loss in the upper and lower extremities Signup and view all the answers

In which area is weakness most affected in central cord syndrome?

The cervical region with upper extremities more affected Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary disruption observed in anterior horn cell syndrome?

Loss of motor function specifically in lower extremities Signup and view all the answers

Which pathways are minimally affected in central cord syndrome?

Spinothalamic tracts responsible for pain and temperature Signup and view all the answers

What condition can lead to anterior cord syndrome due to vascular impairment?

Atherosclerosis of the aorta Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is characteristic of anterior cord syndrome but not typically seen in central cord syndrome?

Loss of proprioceptive sensation Signup and view all the answers

What type of paralysis is typically seen in cervical injuries affecting anterior horn cells?

Quadriplegia affecting all four limbs Signup and view all the answers

In anterior cord syndrome, which neurological effect is typically preserved?

Proprioceptive feedback from the extremities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary pathway for motor impulses in the corticospinal tract?

Corticospinal lateral Signup and view all the answers

Where does decussation occur in the corticospinal tract?

In the medulla oblongata Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding the tracts involved in sensory processing?

Tractus spinothalamikus anterior processes pressure and touch sensations. Signup and view all the answers

Which portion of the spinal pathways is primarily responsible for proprioceptive and vibratory impulses?

Fasikulus gracilis Signup and view all the answers

What results from a Complete Cord Syndrome?

Complete loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions Signup and view all the answers

Which components are involved in the Tractus Spinothalamikus Lateralis pathway?

Pain and temperature receptors Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the motor end plate in motor control?

Facilitation of synaptic transmission between motor neurons and muscles Signup and view all the answers

How do the pathways in the spinal cord categorize regarding directional flow?

Ascending and descending Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sensory loss occurs ipsilateral due to posterior spinal artery blockage?

Loss of proprioception Signup and view all the answers

In Brown-Sequard syndrome, which symptom would indicate contralateral sensory loss?

Loss of pain and temperature sensation Signup and view all the answers

What type of motor function is lost ipsilaterally in the case of Brown-Sequard syndrome?

Spastic weakness Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is primarily responsible for the control of micturition?

Pons Signup and view all the answers

Which autonomic system is primarily responsible for stimulating the detrusor muscle during micturition?

Parasympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the external sphincter when the bladder is full and parasympathetic stimulation occurs?

It relaxes Signup and view all the answers

In Brown-Sequard syndrome, which of the following is NOT a result of spinal cord damage?

Contralateral loss of vibratory sensation Signup and view all the answers

What specific sensory modalities are lost when the posterior column is affected?

Vibration and proprioception Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of sensory disturbance in syringomyelia?

Lesion size Signup and view all the answers

In posterior cord syndrome, which sensations are typically lost due to damage?

Vibration and proprioception Signup and view all the answers

What clinical feature is most heavily affected in the upper limbs in syringomyelia?

Atrophy of muscles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an etiology associated with posterior cord syndrome?

Dislocation of the cervical vertebrae Signup and view all the answers

In cases of hemisection of the spinal cord, which symptoms would you expect on the ipsilateral side?

Motor paralysis Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary symptom of lesions that are growing larger in syringomyelia?

Sensory disturbances Signup and view all the answers

If syringomyelia affects the spinothalamic tract, what sensory loss is anticipated?

Pain and temperature Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs when a patient experiences weakness and sensory loss in a pattern associated with hemisection of the spinal cord?

Brown-Séquard syndrome Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Posterior Spinal Artery Blockage: Clinical Symptoms

Affects the Posterior Column leading to ipsilateral effects.
Loss of proprioception and vibratory sensation on the same side (ipsilateral).
Spinothalamic Tract involvement results in contralateral loss of temperature and pain sensations.

Brown-Séquard Syndrome

Characterized by motor weakness and sensory loss.
Ipsilateral motor loss (spastic weakness) due to damage to the Corticospinal Tract.
Contralateral sensory loss due to Spinothalamic Tract damage.
Integrates neurons from the cerebral cortex, pontine micturition center, and sacral micturition center for bladder control.

Neurogenic Bladder

A disorder affecting urination due to structural nerve lesions supplying urinary bladder and urethra.
Types include:
- Underactive Bladder: Inability to urinate.
- Overactive Bladder: Frequent urination or urinary retention.
Autonomic nervous system influenced by sympathetic and parasympathetic systems for bladder control.
Parasympathetic activation causes detrusor muscle contraction and sphincter relaxation.

Etiology of Neurogenic Bladder

Can result from various conditions including syphilitic arteritis, aortic dissection, and AIDS.
Neurogenic Bladder linked to upper motor neuron lesions, disrupting pathways between pons micturition center and spinal cord.

Anterior Horn Cell Syndrome

Affects the anterior horn leading to weakness in extremities below the lesion.
Caused by lesions to the anterior cornus affecting motility without sensory loss.
Symptoms include quadriparesis or parapharesis depending on lesion location.

Central Cord Syndrome

Result of injury to gray matter in the center of the spinal cord; affects upper limbs more severely than lower limbs.
Loss of pain and temperature sensation due to involvement of the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract.

Complete Cord Syndrome

An extensive lesion that affects entire segments of the spinal cord.
Leads to a complete loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions.
May present with "shawl-like" sensory loss.

Anterior Cord Syndrome

Characterized by paralysis and loss of pain/temperature sensation below the lesion.
Preservation of proprioception and vibratory sense due to intact posterior columns.

Posterior Cord Syndrome

Damage to posterior spinal cord results in loss of proprioception, vibration, and fine touch on the affected side.
Contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation.

General Pathophysiology

Sensory pathways involve various tracts such as the Spinothalamic and Corticospinal Tracts.
Injury types lead to specific symptom profiles based on affected regions and nerve pathways influenced.

External Compression Etiology

Conditions such as tumors or mechanical degeneration in the cervical spine can lead to disruption of spinal cord function.

Key Takeaway

Understanding the specific symptoms and underlying mechanisms of various spinal syndromes aids in determining diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for patients with spinal cord injuries or lesions.

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Description

This quiz explores the clinical symptoms associated with posterior spinal artery blockage and conditions like Brown-Séquard syndrome and neurogenic bladder. It covers the impacts on sensory and motor functions, including proprioception, temperature sensation, and bladder control mechanisms. Delve into the complexities of these neuroanatomical conditions.