Head and Neck Disorders Quiz

Study Notes

The cranium protects the brain and brainstem.
The head has 22 cranial and facial bones.
These bones allow for facial expressions, eating, speaking, and head movement.
The head is the center for information processing and sensory functions.
Headaches are a common and frequently treated disorder, impacting daily activities (e.g., concentration, vision, hearing, appetite, and exercise).
Headaches can be benign or signify a serious condition like a brain tumor or subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Headaches come in three main types: tension, cluster, and migraine.

Headaches are the most common disorder requiring treatment.
They often interfere with daily living tasks such as concentration, vision, hearing, appetite, and exercise.
Headaches can be a warning sign of more serious conditions like brain tumors.
Headaches vary: they can be tension, cluster, or migraine.
Symptoms can vary (e.g., throbbing, dizziness, or sensitivity to light).

TBI is an injury to the brain caused by outside forces.
Injuries can be temporary or permanent.
TBI is caused by accidents (car, bike, fall), alcohol abuse, or abuse of children or elderly.
Symptoms include headache, fatigue, blurred vision, dizziness, vomiting, confusion, memory problems, loss of consciousness, seizures, and changes in speech.
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury.

Medical and social history are key to diagnosis.
Neurological examinations are necessary.
The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) is a diagnostic tool.
Headache diary helps track frequency, triggers, and patterns.
Diagnostic imaging (CT scan, MRI) might be necessary to rule out serious conditions.
An EEG may be performed.

Cluster headaches are a neurovascular disorder characterized by severe, unilateral, periorbital pain.
The pain is sharp, stabbing, and typically one-sided, radiating to the cheek, jaw, occipital region, or neck. This often presents in the morning or during sleep.
Cluster headaches are frequently accompanied by symptoms like tearing of the eyes, redness, runny nose, and eyelid swelling.
Triggers include alcohol, smoking, stress, allergies, and weather changes.

Migraine headaches are unilateral, vascular, and throbbing.
Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Auras (visual or sensory experiences) can precede the headaches.
Common causes include stress, hormones, smoking, weather changes, food additives, caffeine, alcohol, or excessive fatigue.
Migraine treatment addresses both acute pain relief and prevention.

Lymph nodes, located throughout the body (neck, groin, chest, armpits), transport lymph (fluid containing white blood cells) throughout the body.
These nodes are centers for immune cell proliferation and response.
Lymph nodes filter debris and pathogens, and become enlarged when infected.
Lymphadenopathy is the term for enlarged lymph nodes.

The neck supports the head and contains arteries supplying blood to the brain and veins returning blood.
The neck contains vital structures like the larynx, thyroid gland, and trachea.
Muscles in the neck facilitate movement and support.
Carotid arteries deliver blood to the brain and jugular veins return blood from the head to the neck's blood vessels.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the lymphatic system arising from B-lymphocytes in bone marrow.
It proliferates in bone marrow, causes bone lesions (osteolytic bone lesions), and disrupts normal antibody production, leading to a weakened immune system.
Symptoms include bone pain, fractures, high blood calcium, anemia, recurrent infections, weight loss, and fatigue.
Diagnosis often includes a bone marrow biopsy, x-rays, complete blood counts, urine tests for Bence Jones proteins.
Treatment may involve chemotherapy, steroids, and bone marrow/stem cell transplants.

The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck and regulates metabolism.
It produces hormones T3 and T4.
Hyperthyroidism is excessive thyroid activity, causing rapid metabolism, weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and tremors.
Hypothyroidism is decreased thyroid activity, causing slow metabolism, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, fatigue, and constipation.

Hyperthyroidism accelerates metabolism, causing sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, and sweating.
Hypothyroidism slows metabolism, resulting in unintentional weight gain, sensitivity to cold, dry skin, brittle hair, constipation, and depression.