The Brainstem and Cranial Nerves
OVERVIEW OF BRAINSTEM ANATOMY Print Section Listen The three levels of the brainstem from superior to inferior are the midbrain, pons, and medulla. The midbrain is just inferior to the…
The Motor and Somatosensory Pathways and Approach to Weakness and Sensory Loss
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen The cerebral hemispheres are where the motor pathways originate, and where the somatosensory pathways terminate. The left cerebral hemisphere controls the motor functions of the right…
The Visual Pathway and Approach to Visual Loss
ANATOMY OF THE VISUAL PATHWAY Print Section Listen The optic nerve is the output of the retina. Therefore, each optic nerve carries all of the visual information from the eye…
Diagnostic Reasoning in Neurology and the Neurologic History and Examination
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen Differential diagnosis in neurology is based on two main components determined from the clinical history and physical examination: The localization of the neuroanatomic origin(s) of the…
MENINGITIS, ENCEPHALITIS, BRAIN ABSCESS, AND EMPYEMA
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen Acute infections of the nervous system are among the most important problems in medicine because early recognition, efficient decision making, and rapid institution of therapy can…
DISORDERS OF THE NEUROHYPOPHYSIS
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen The neurohypophysis, or posterior pituitary, is formed by axons that originate in large cell bodies in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. It produces…
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHIES AND OTHER MUSCLE DISEASES
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen Skeletal muscle diseases, or myopathies, are disorders with structural changes or functional impairment of muscle. These conditions can be differentiated from other diseases of the motor…
PRIMARY AND METASTATIC TUMORS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen Primary brain tumors are diagnosed in approximately 52,000 people each year in the United States. At least one-half of these tumors are malignant and associated with…
HIV NEUROLOGY
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen Clinical disease of the nervous system accounts for a significant degree of morbidity in a high percentage of patients with HIV infection (Table 48-1). The neurologic…
ANTERIOR PITUITARY TUMOR SYNDROMES
HYPOTHALAMIC, PITUITARY, AND OTHER SELLAR MASSES Print Section Listen EVALUATION OF SELLAR MASSES Local mass effects Clinical manifestations of sellar lesions vary, depending on the anatomic location of the mass…
