Neuroanatomy
Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for processing visual information?
Occipital lobe
Which artery is most commonly affected in an ischemic stroke?
Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA)
What is the most common cause of TBI in young adults?
MVC (motor vehicle crash)
Which UE PNF diagonal pattern involves shoulder flexion, adduction, and external rotation?
D1 Flexion
Which dermatome is responsible for sensation in the little finger?
C8
Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for balance?
Cerebellum
What is a common early sign of a stroke, often remembered using the acronym FAST?
Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911
What is the difference between a coup and a contrecoup brain injury?
A coup injury occurs at the site of impact, where the brain strikes the skull. A contrecoup injury occurs on the opposite side, where the brain rebounds and hits the other side of the skull.
In the D2 extension pattern, what are the movements of the shoulder, forearm, and wrist?
Shoulder extension, adduction, internal rotation; forearm pronation; wrist flexion and ulnar deviation.
Which myotome is tested by asking a patient to perform hip flexion?
L2
Which structure in the brainstem regulates vital functions like heart rate and respiration?
Explain the difference between an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke.
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a vessel, cutting off blood flow to the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding in or around the brain.
What is the most common type of brain injury?
Concussion
A functional transfer from sidelying to sitting EOB is a functional use of which diagonal pattern?
D1 extension or D2 extension
Which myotome is tested when asking a patient to extend their wrist?
C6
What structure connects the two hemispheres of the brain?
Corpus Callosum
What is the primary risk factor for hemorrhagic strokes?
HTN
What is the difference between decorticate and decerebrate posturing in a TBI patient?
Decorticate posturing involves flexion of the arms, clenched fists, and extended legs, indicating damage to the cerebral hemispheres. Decerebrate posturing involves extension of the arms and legs, indicating more severe damage to the brainstem
How would you apply the 'alternating isometrics' technique to improve stability in a patient with a history of traumatic brain injury?
Alternating isometrics involve applying resistance to one side of a body segment and then the opposite side without allowing movement. This technique helps improve stability and control by encouraging co-contraction of muscles, essential for patients with balance deficits from TBI.
Which dermatome is responsible for sensation over the lateral aspect of the foot and little toe?
S1
Describe the function of the basal ganglia and its involvement in movement disorders.
The basal ganglia regulate movement initiation and coordination. Dysfunctions can lead to conditions like Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.
What are the common impairments associated with a stroke in the right hemisphere of the brain?
Left-sided weakness or paralysis (hemiplegia), spatial and perceptual deficits, left-sided neglect, and impaired judgment or impulsive behavior.
Describe the difference between a diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and a focal brain injury.
DAI involves widespread damage to white matter tracts due to shearing forces, while focal injuries are localized, such as contusions or hematomas.
What is the difference between the PNF techniques 'slow reversal' and 'agonist reversal,' and when would you use each?
Slow reversal involves alternating isotonic contractions of opposing muscle groups without rest (e.g., flexors and extensors) to improve strength and coordination (hands move). Agonist reversal involves both concentric and eccentric contractions of the same muscle group to improve control and functional movement (hands stay in place).
How would you test the L5 myotome, and what functional movement does it control?
The L5 myotome is tested by asking the patient to perform great toe extension. It controls dorsiflexion of the foot, which is essential for movements like walking and climbing stairs.