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Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System
Marieb - Human Anatomy & Physiology 7th Edition
Marieb, Hoehn7th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780805359091Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMarieb, Hoehn 7th EditionCh. 12 The Central Nervous SystemProblem 28
Chapter 12, Problem 28

a. Define cerebrovascular accident or CVA.
b. Describe its possible causes and consequences.

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1
Step 1: Define cerebrovascular accident (CVA) by explaining that it is commonly known as a stroke, which occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients.
Step 2: Clarify that the interruption of blood flow in a CVA can be due to either a blockage (ischemic stroke) or bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke) in the brain.
Step 3: Describe possible causes of CVA, including blood clots, atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries), embolism (traveling clots), high blood pressure, aneurysms, or trauma to blood vessels.
Step 4: Explain the consequences of a CVA, which can vary depending on the brain area affected, but often include paralysis, speech difficulties, cognitive impairments, loss of sensation, or even death.
Step 5: Emphasize the importance of timely medical intervention to minimize brain damage and improve recovery outcomes after a CVA.

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Key Concepts

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

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

A cerebrovascular accident, commonly known as a stroke, occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This leads to the sudden loss of neurological function. CVA can be classified mainly into ischemic and hemorrhagic types.
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Causes of Cerebrovascular Accident

The primary causes of CVA include ischemia due to blood clots or arterial blockage (ischemic stroke) and bleeding in the brain from ruptured blood vessels (hemorrhagic stroke). Risk factors such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and embolism contribute to these events.
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Consequences of Cerebrovascular Accident

Consequences of CVA vary depending on the brain area affected and stroke severity, including paralysis, speech difficulties, cognitive impairments, and sometimes death. Early treatment is critical to minimize brain damage and improve recovery outcomes.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Tara, a 16-year-old girl, was rushed to the hospital after taking a bad spill off the parallel bars. After she had a complete neurological workup, her family was told that she would be permanently paralyzed from the waist down. During rehabilitation, her neurologist outlined for Tara and her parents the importance of preventing complications in such cases. Common complications include urinary infection, bed sores, and muscular spasms. Using your knowledge of neuroanatomy, explain the underlying reasons for these complications.

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Textbook Question

Robert, a brilliant computer analyst, suffered a blow to his anterior skull from a falling rock while mountain climbing. Shortly thereafter, it was obvious to his coworkers that his behavior had undergone a dramatic change. Although previously a smart dresser, he was now unkempt. One morning, he was observed defecating into the wastebasket. Which region of Robert's brain was affected by the cranial blow?

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Textbook Question

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

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Textbook Question

What does lateralization of cortical functioning mean?

Why is the term cerebral dominance a misnomer?

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Textbook Question

A 10-month-old infant has an enlarging head circumference and delayed overall development. Her CSF pressure is elevated, and she has a bulging anterior fontanelle (fontanelles are the as yet unossified fibrous membranes connecting skull bones in infants). Based on these findings, answer the following questions:

a. What are the possible cause(s) of an enlarged head?

b. Which tests might be helpful in obtaining information about this infant's problem?

c. Assuming the tests conducted showed the cerebral aqueduct to be constricted, which ventricles or CSF-containing areas would you expect to be enlarged? Which would likely not be visible? Respond to the same questions based on a finding of obstructed arachnoid granulations.

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