Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

12. The Central Nervous System

Introduction to the Central Nervous System

Anatomy & Physiology

12. The Central Nervous System

Introduction to the Central Nervous System

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3:55 minutes

Problem 32

Textbook Question

Infants have little to no control of the movements of their head. One of the consequences of this is that they are susceptible to shaken baby syndrome, caused by vigorous shaking of an infant or young child by the arms, legs, chest, or shoulders. Forceful shaking can cause brain damage leading to mental retardation, speech and learning disabilities, paralysis, seizures, hearing loss, and even death. Damage to which areas of the brain would account for the clinical signs observed in this syndrome?

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Identify the symptoms associated with shaken baby syndrome: mental retardation, speech and learning disabilities, paralysis, seizures, hearing loss, and death.

Consider which areas of the brain are responsible for these functions: cognitive abilities, motor control, speech, sensory processing, and vital functions.

Recognize that the frontal lobe is involved in cognitive functions and speech, which could be affected, leading to mental retardation and speech disabilities.

Understand that the parietal lobe and temporal lobe are involved in processing sensory information and hearing, which could be damaged, leading to learning disabilities and hearing loss.

Acknowledge that the cerebellum and brainstem are crucial for motor control and vital functions, and damage here could result in paralysis, seizures, and potentially death.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)

Shaken Baby Syndrome is a serious brain injury resulting from forcefully shaking an infant or young child. This violent motion can cause the brain to move within the skull, leading to bruising, swelling, and bleeding. The lack of head and neck control in infants makes them particularly vulnerable to such injuries, which can result in severe long-term consequences, including cognitive and physical disabilities.

Brain Anatomy and Function

Understanding the anatomy of the brain is crucial for identifying the areas affected by Shaken Baby Syndrome. Key regions include the cerebral cortex, responsible for higher cognitive functions, and the brainstem, which controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate. Damage to these areas can lead to the clinical signs observed in SBS, such as learning disabilities and motor impairments.

Neurological Impact of Trauma

The neurological impact of trauma refers to the effects that physical injury can have on brain function and development. In the case of SBS, the trauma can disrupt neural connections and lead to conditions like mental retardation and seizures. Understanding how trauma affects brain development is essential for recognizing the potential long-term effects on an infant's health and development.

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Textbook Question

A cerebrovascular accident occurs when

(a) The reticular activating system fails to function

(b) The prefrontal lobe is damaged

(d) A descending tract in the spinal cord is severed

(e) Brainstem nuclei hypersecrete dopamine

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Textbook Question

A semiconscious young woman is brought to the hospital by friends after falling from a roof. She did not lose consciousness immediately, and she was initially lucid. After a while, though, she became confused and then unresponsive. What is a likely explanation of her condition?

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Mrs. Chen, a new mother, brings her infant to the clinic because he has suffered repeated seizures. When questioned, she states that her labor was unusually long and difficult. What condition do you suspect? Will the infant's condition worsen?

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If symptoms characteristic of Parkinson's disease appear, which part of the midbrain is inhibited from secreting a neurotransmitter? Which neurotransmitter is it?

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Textbook Question

Central pattern generators (CPGs) are found at the segmental level of motor control.

a. What is the job of the CPGs?

b. What controls them, and where is this control localized?

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Describe the spinal cord, depicting its extent, its composition of gray and white matter, and its spinal roots.

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