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Question 1
Correct
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A well recognised adverse effect of metoclopramide is which of the following?
Your Answer: Acute dystonic reaction
Explanation:Side effects of metoclopramide are commonly associated with extrapyramidal effects and hyperprolactinemia. Therefore its use must be limited to short-term use. Metoclopramide can induce acute dystonic reactions which involve facial and skeletal muscle spasms and oculogyric crises. These dystonic effects are more common in the young girls and young women, and in the very old. These symptoms usually occur shortly after starting treatment with this drug and subside within 24 hours of stopping it. Abortion of dystonic attacks can be carried out by injection of an antiparkinsonian drug like procyclidine.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Central Nervous System
- Pharmacology
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Question 2
Correct
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A 22-year-old student presents with severe headache accompanied with nausea and vomiting. Upon observation and examination, it was noted that he is febrile and Kernig's sign is positive. A diagnosis of meningitis was suspected and a lumbar puncture was to be performed.Which of the following statements regarding meningitis is true?
Your Answer: The dura mater is the outermost layer
Explanation:Meningitis is defined as the inflammation of the meninges due to an infection caused by a bacteria or a virus. Symptoms usually include stiffness of the neck, headache, and fever. There are 3 meningeal layers that surround the spinal cord and they are the dura mater, arachnoid matter, and pia mater. The dura mater is the outermost and thickest layer out of all the 3 layers. The arachnoid atter is the middle layer, and is very thin.The third and deepest meningeal layer is the pia mater that is bound tightly to the surface of the spinal cord.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 3
Incorrect
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A 26 year old horse rider has a bad fall and sustains a neck injury which displays the following signs:- ability to extend the wrist against gravity- paralysis of the hands, trunk, and legs- absent sensation in the fingers and medial upper arms- normal sensation over the thumbs- absent sensation in chest, abdomen, and legsWhat is the neurological level of the injury?
Your Answer: C8
Correct Answer: C6
Explanation:C1 – C4 INJURYMost severe of the spinal cord injury levels; paralysis in arms, hands, trunk and legs; patient may not be able to breathe on his or her own, cough, or control bowel or bladder movements; ability to speak is sometimes impaired or reducedC5 INJURYPerson can raise his or her arms and bend elbows; likely to have some or total paralysis of wrists, hands, trunk and legs; can speak and use diaphragm, but breathing will be weakenedC6 INJURYNerves affect wrist extension; paralysis in hands, trunk and legs, typically; should be able to bend wrists back; can speak and use diaphragm, but breathing will be weakenedC7 INJURYNerves control elbow extension and some finger extension; most can straighten their arm and have normal movement of their shouldersC8 INJURYNerves control some hand movement; should be able to grasp and release objectsC5 – Elbow flexors (biceps, brachialis)C6 – Wrist extensors (extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis)C7 – Elbow extensors (triceps)C8 – Finger flexors (flexor digitorum profundus) to the middle fingerC5 – Elbow flexed at 90 degrees, arm at the patient’s side and forearm supinatedC6 – Wrist in full extensionC7 – Shoulder is neutral rotation, adducted and in 90 degrees of flexion with elbow in 45 degrees of flexionC8 –Full flexed position of the distal phalanx with the proximal finger joints stabilized in a extended position
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 4
Incorrect
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All of the following predisposes to lithium toxicity in patients taking long-term therapy EXCEPT:
Your Answer: Co-administration of NSAIDs
Correct Answer: Hypernatraemia
Explanation:A common complication of long term lithium therapy results in most cases of lithium intoxication. It is caused by reduced excretion of the drug which can be due to several factors including deterioration of renal function, dehydration, hyponatraemia, infections, and co-administration of diuretics or NSAIDs or other drugs that may interact.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Central Nervous System
- Pharmacology
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Question 5
Incorrect
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In which of the following cases is intravenous phenytoin contraindicated?
Your Answer: Hepatic impairment
Correct Answer: Second degree heart block
Explanation:Phenytoin Contraindications include:HypersensitivitySinus bradycardiaSinoatrial blockSecond and third degree A-V blockAdams-Stokes syndromeConcurrent use with delavirdineHistory of prior acute hepatotoxicity attributable to phenytoin
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Central Nervous System
- Pharmacology
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Question 6
Correct
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Carbamazepine is indicated for all of the following EXCEPT for:
Your Answer: Myoclonic seizures
Explanation:Carbamazepine is a drug of choice for simple and complex focal seizures and is a first-line treatment option for generalised tonic-clonic seizures. It is also used in trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Carbamazepine may exacerbate tonic, atonic, myoclonic and absence seizures and is therefore not recommended if these seizures are present.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Central Nervous System
- Pharmacology
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Question 7
Correct
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Which of the following statements is correct regarding paracetamol?
Your Answer: Liver damage peaks 3 to 4 days after paracetamol ingestion.
Explanation:The maximum daily dose of paracetamol in an adult is 4 grams. Doses greater than this can lead to hepatotoxicity and, less frequently, acute kidney injury. Early symptoms of paracetamol toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, and usually settle within 24 hours. Symptoms of liver damage include right subcostal pain and tenderness, and this peaks 3 to 4 days after paracetamol ingestion. Other signs of hepatic toxicity include encephalopathy, bleeding, hypoglycaemia, and cerebral oedema.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Central Nervous System
- Pharmacology
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Question 8
Correct
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A 7-year old boy is referred to the Paediatrics Department due to slurred speech. Upon further examination, the attending physician noted the presence of dysdiadochokinesia, intention tremors, and nystagmus. An MRI is taken, which revealed a brain tumour.Which of the following options is the most probable diagnosis given the clinical features of the patient?
Your Answer: Astrocytoma of cerebellum
Explanation:Pilocytic astrocytoma (PCA), previously known as cystic cerebellar astrocytoma or juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, was first described in 1931 by Harvey Cushing, based on a case series of cerebellar astrocytomas; though he never used these terms but rather described a spongioblastoma. They are low-grade, and usually well-circumscribed tumours, which tend to occur in young patients. By the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system tumours, they are considered grade I gliomas and have a good prognosis.PCA most commonly occurs in the cerebellum but can also occur in the optic pathway, hypothalamus, and brainstem. They can also occur in the cerebral hemispheres, although this tends to be the case in young adults. Presentation and treatment vary for PCA in other locations. Glial cells include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells, and microglia. Astrocytic tumours arise from astrocytes and are the most common tumour of glial origin. The WHO 2016 categorized these tumours as either diffuse gliomas or other astrocytic tumours. Diffuse gliomas include grade II and III diffuse astrocytomas, grade IV glioblastoma, and diffuse gliomas of childhood. The other astrocytic tumours group include PCA, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, and anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma.PCA can present with symptoms secondary to the posterior fossa mass effect. This may include obstructive hydrocephalus, with resultant headache, nausea and vomiting, and papilledema. If hydrocephalus occurs before the fusion of the cranial sutures (<18-months-of-age), then an increase in head circumference will likely occur. Lesions of the cerebellar hemisphere result in peripheral ataxia, dysmetria, intention tremor, nystagmus, and dysarthria. In contrast, lesions of the vermis cause a broad-based gait, truncal ataxia, and titubation. Posterior fossa lesions can also cause cranial nerve palsies. Diplopia may occur due to abducens palsy from the stretching of the nerve. They may also have blurred vision due to papilledema. Seizures are rare with posterior fossa lesions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 9
Incorrect
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A patient is referred to the Medicine Department for complaints of unilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and facial numbness. Upon further investigation, an acoustic neuroma is given as the final diagnosis.Which of the following nerves is least likely to be affected in acoustic neuroma?
Your Answer: Glossopharyngeal nerve
Correct Answer: Trochlear nerve
Explanation:Acoustic neuroma is also called vestibular schwannoma (VS), acoustic neuroma, vestibular neuroma or acoustic neurofibroma. These are tumours that evolve from the Schwann cell sheath and can be either intracranial or extra-axial. They usually occur adjacent to the cochlear and vestibular nerves and most often arise from the inferior division of the latter. Anatomically, acoustic neuroma tends to occupy the cerebellopontine angle. About 5-10% of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumours are meningiomas and may occur elsewhere in the brain. Bilateral acoustic neuromas tend to be exclusively found in individuals with type 2 neurofibromatosis.The following nerves may be affected due to nerve compression:Facial nerve: usually minimal with late presentation except for very large tumours. Depending on the degree of engagement of the nerve, the symptoms may include twitching, increased lacrimation and facial weakness.Trigeminal Nerve: paraesthesia in the trigeminal distribution, tingling of the tongue, impairment of the corneal reflex, and less commonly pain which may mimic typical trigeminal neuralgia.Glossopharyngeal and Vagus nerves: palatal paresis, hoarseness of voice and dysphagia
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 10
Incorrect
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An 80-year-old woman with history of hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic stroke, presents with left-sided hemiplegia of the face, tongue, and limbs and right-sided deficits in motor eye activity. A CT scan was ordered and showed a right-sided stroke. Branches of which of the following arteries are most likely implicated in the case?
Your Answer: Posterior cerebral artery
Correct Answer: Basilar artery
Explanation:Weber syndrome is a midbrain stroke characterized by crossed hemiplegia along with oculomotor nerve deficits and it occurs with the occlusion of the median and/or paramedian perforating branches of the basilar artery. Typical clinical findings include ipsilateral CN III palsy, ptosis, and mydriasis (such as damage to parasympathetic fibres of CN III) with contralateral hemiplegia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 11
Incorrect
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CSF is reabsorbed from subarachnoid space via which of the following structures:
Your Answer: Choroid plexus
Correct Answer: Arachnoid granulations
Explanation:From the subarachnoid cisterns in the subarachnoid space, CSF is reabsorbed via arachnoid granulations which protrude into the dura mater, into the dural venous sinuses and from here back into the circulation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 12
Correct
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A 34-year-old man presents with loss of vision in his left eye due to an episode of optic neuritis. Upon history taking, it was noted that he has a history of multiple sclerosis. Which of the following anatomical points in the visual pathway has the lesion occurred?
Your Answer: Optic nerve
Explanation:A lesion in the optic nerve causes ipsilateral monocular visual loss.Optic neuritis is an inflammatory demyelination of the optic nerve that is highly associated with multiple sclerosis. The two most common symptoms of optic neuritis are vision loss and eye pain.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 13
Incorrect
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Which of the following is most likely to cause a bitemporal hemianopia:
Your Answer: Frontal lobe tumour
Correct Answer: Pituitary adenoma
Explanation:A bitemporal hemianopia is most likely due to compression at the optic chiasm. This may be caused by pituitary tumour, craniopharyngioma, meningioma, optic glioma or aneurysm of the internal carotid artery. A posterior cerebral stroke will most likely result in a contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 14
Incorrect
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A patient complains of headache and visual loss. CT scan demonstrates a lesion of the temporal lobe. What type of visual field defect would you most expect to see in this patient:
Your Answer: Contralateral homonymous hemianopia
Correct Answer: Contralateral homonymous superior quadrantanopia
Explanation:Axons from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) carry visual information, via the upper and lower optic radiations, to the visual cortex in the occipital lobe:The upper optic radiation carries fibres from the superior retinal quadrants (corresponding to the inferior visual field quadrants) and travels through the parietal lobe to reach the visual cortex. The lower optic radiation carries fibres from the inferior retinal quadrants (corresponding to the superior visual field quadrants) and travels through the temporal lobe to reach the visual cortex of the occipital lobe.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 15
Correct
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Which of the following is a contraindication to the use of opioid analgesics:
Your Answer: Raised intracranial pressure
Explanation:Opioids should be avoided in people who have: A risk of paralytic ileus (opioids reduce gastric motility)Acute respiratory depressionAn acute exacerbation of asthma (opioids can aggravate bronchoconstriction as a result of histamine release)Conditions associated with increased intracranial pressure including head injury (opioids can interfere with pupillary response making neurological assessment difficult and may cause retention of carbon dioxide aggravating the increased intracranial pressure)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Central Nervous System
- Pharmacology
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Question 16
Correct
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The most common complication of paracetamol overdose is:
Your Answer: Hepatic failure
Explanation:The maximum daily dose of paracetamol in an adult is 4 grams. Doses greater than this can lead to hepatotoxicity and, less frequently, acute kidney injury. Early symptoms of paracetamol toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, and usually settle within 24 hours. Symptoms of liver damage include right subcostal pain and tenderness, and this peaks 3 to 4 days after paracetamol ingestion. Other signs of hepatic toxicity include encephalopathy, bleeding, hypoglycaemia, and cerebral oedema.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Central Nervous System
- Pharmacology
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Question 17
Correct
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A 54 year old patient presents with vertigo, ipsilateral hemiataxia, dysarthria, ptosis and miosis. Which of these blood vessels has most likely been occluded?
Your Answer: Posterior inferior cerebellar artery
Explanation:Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) occlusion is characterised by vertigo, ipsilateral hemiataxia, dysarthria, ptosis and miosis. PICA occlusion causes infarction of the posterior inferior cerebellum, inferior cerebellar vermis and lateral medulla.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 18
Incorrect
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Which of the following is a well recognised adverse effect of prochlorperazine:
Your Answer: Tinnitus
Correct Answer: Acute dystonic reaction
Explanation:Adverse actions include anticholinergic effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision, extrapyramidal effects, and postural hypotension. Phenothiazines can all induce acute dystonic reactions such as facial and skeletal muscle spasms and oculogyric crises; children (especially girls, young women, and those under 10 kg) are particularly susceptible.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Central Nervous System
- Pharmacology
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Question 19
Correct
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In a patient with an ongoing seizure, after what time period should treatment be commenced?
Your Answer: 5 minutes
Explanation:Immediate emergency care and treatment should be given to children, young people and adults who have prolonged or repeated convulsive seizures.Prolonged seizures last 5 minutes or more. Repeated seizures refer to 3 or more seizures in an hour.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Central Nervous System
- Pharmacology
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Question 20
Correct
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What is the main mechanism of action of metoclopramide:
Your Answer: Dopamine antagonist
Explanation:Metoclopramide is a dopamine-receptor antagonist. Blockade of inhibitory dopamine receptors in the GI tract may allow stimulatory actions of ACh at muscarinic synapses to predominate. Metoclopramide also blocks dopamine D2-receptors within the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). At high doses, it is also thought to have some 5-HT3antagonist activity.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Central Nervous System
- Pharmacology
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Question 21
Incorrect
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After what time period should intravenous phenytoin be used as second-line treatment of status epilepticus?
Your Answer: 30 minutes
Correct Answer: 25 minutes
Explanation:If seizures recur or fail to respond after initial treatment with benzodiazepines within 25 minutes of onset, phenytoin sodium, fosphenytoin sodium, or phenobarbital sodium should be used.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Central Nervous System
- Pharmacology
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Question 22
Incorrect
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A lesion to which part of the optic radiation will result in contralateral homonymous inferior quadrantanopia?
Your Answer: Left parietal lobe
Correct Answer: Right parietal lobe
Explanation:A visual loss in the lower left quadrant in both visual fields is an indication of an inferior homonymous. This is due to a lesion of the superior fibres of the optic radiation in the parietal lobe on the contralateral side of the visual pathway.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 23
Incorrect
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Which of the following clinical features is most suggestive of a lesion of the temporal lobe:
Your Answer: Hemispatial neglect
Correct Answer: Receptive dysphasia
Explanation:Damage to the Wernicke’s speech area in the temporal lobe can result in a receptive dysphasia. Hemispatial neglect is most likely to occur in a lesion of the parietal lobe. Homonymous hemianopia is most likely to occur in a lesion of the occipital lobe. Expressive dysphasia is most likely to occur in a lesion of the Broca speech area in the frontal lobe. Conjugate eye deviation towards the side of the lesion is most likely to occur in a lesion of the frontal lobe.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 24
Correct
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Which of the following statements is true about anterior cord syndrome?
Your Answer: There is preservation of proprioception
Explanation:Anterior cord syndrome is an incomplete cord syndrome that predominantly affects the anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord, characteristically resulting in motor paralysis below the level of the lesion as well as the loss of pain and temperature at and below the level of the lesion. The patient presentation typically includes these two findings; however, there is variability depending on the portion of the spinal cord affected. Other findings include back pain, or autonomic dysfunction such as hypotension, neurogenic bowel or bladder, and sexual dysfunction. The severity of motor dysfunction can vary, typically resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia.Proprioception, vibratory sense, two-point discrimination, and fine touch are not affected in anterior cord syndrome. These sensations are under the control of the dorsal column of the spinal cord, which is supplied by two posterior spinal arteries running in the posterior lateral sulci.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 25
Correct
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A 70-year-old man presents with right-sided hemiplegia and loss of joint position sense, vibratory sense, and discriminatory touch. Upon further physical examination, it was observed that her tongue deviates to the left-hand side. An MRI and CT scan was ordered and results showed that he was suffering a left-sided stroke. Which of the following is considered the best diagnosis for the case presented above?
Your Answer: Medial medullary syndrome
Explanation:Medial medullary syndrome is a form of stroke that affects the medial medulla of the brain. It is caused by a lesion in the medial part of the medulla, which is due to an infraction of vertebral arteries and/or paramedian branches of the anterior spinal artery.It is characterized by contralateral paralysis of the upper and lower limb of the body, a contralateral decrease in proprioception, vibration, and/or fine touch sensation, paresthesias or less commonly dysesthesias in the contralateral trunk and lower limb, and loss of position and vibration sense with proprioceptive dysfunction. Ipsilateral deviation of the tongue due to ipsilateral hypoglossal nerve damage can also be seen.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 26
Incorrect
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Regarding CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) production, approximately how much is produced per day?
Your Answer: 50 ml
Correct Answer: 500 ml
Explanation:CSF fills the ventricular system, a series of interconnected spaces within the brain, and the subarachnoid space directly surrounding the brain. The intraventricular CSF reflects the composition of the brain’s extracellular space via free exchange across the ependyma, and the brain “floats” in the subarachnoid CSF to minimize the effect of external mechanical forces. The volume of CSF within the cerebral ventricles is approximately 30 mL, and that in the subarachnoid space is about 125 mL. Because about 0.35 mL of CSF is produced each minute, CSF is turned over more than three times daily. Approximately 500 mL of CSF is produced per day, at a rate of about 25 mL per hour.CSF is a filtrate of capillary blood formed largely by the choroid plexuses, which comprise pia mater, invaginating capillaries, and ependymal cells specialized for transport. The choroid plexuses are located in the lateral, third, and fourth ventricles. The lateral ventricles are situated within the two cerebral hemispheres. They each connect with the third ventricle through one of the interventricular foramina (of Monro). The third ventricle lies in the midline between the diencephalon on the two sides. The cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius) traverses the midbrain and connects the third ventricle with the fourth ventricle. The fourth ventricle is a space defined by the pons and medulla below and the cerebellum above. The central canal of the spinal cord continues caudally from the fourth ventricle, although in adult humans the canal is not fully patent and continues to close with age.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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Question 27
Incorrect
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A 70-year-old man has a resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and a shuffling gait. Parkinson's disease is caused by one of the following mechanisms:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
Explanation:Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurologic disorders, affecting approximately 1% of individuals older than 60 years and causing progressive disability that can be slowed but not halted, by treatment. The 2 major neuropathologic findings in Parkinson’s disease are loss of pigmented dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta and the presence of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. See the images below.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Anatomy
- Central Nervous System
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
