Introduction Stroke is the most common serious neurologic disorder, the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and second in the world, and the most common cause of neurologic disability in adults. Over 800,000 strokes occur each year…
Introduction Speech and language are important to our human existence, and they affect our ability to communicate with other people. Speech involves the articulation of language sounds via the vocal apparatus. Language involves the manipulation of symbols in the production…
The disorders of mental status include focal syndromes, such as aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, and neglect, followed by more diffuse syndromes, such as delirium and dementia. The aphasias are discussed in Chapter 5.2 . Apraxia: Neurology of Learned Movement Apraxia is…
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Overview For multisystem disorders, the diagnosis often depends on identifying the combination of neurologic and nonneurologic manifestations. For example, neuropathy plus macrocytic anemia should raise concern for B12 or folate deficiency. Confusion, neuropathy, and gastrointestinal (GI) distress might raise concern…
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Reflex Physiology Reflexes are used for examination purposes, but they demonstrate integral and sometimes complex functioning of the nervous system. Reflexes can be physiologic and pathologic. Physiologic reflexes use pathways that are normally functioning in a patient of the particular…
Physiology and Localization of Gait The bipedal gait is complex and depends on action of almost all parts of the nervous system. Gait is initiated in different ways depending on the purpose of the movement, whether intentional or reflexive. Gait…
Localization of Coordination Control and Deficits Coordination is a prominent part of the examination. Whereas coordination is typically considered to be a test of cerebellar function, coordination deficits can be produced by a wide range of lesions. Coordination depends on…
Sensory Systems Localization Two pathways, the dorsal columns and the spinothalamic tract, carry sensory information from the periphery to the brain, and they carry two distinct sets of information. Dorsal Columns The dorsal columns pathway is responsible for fine touch…