Each neuronal cell body contains many dendrites, which are peripheral extensions from the cell body that, along with the smaller dendritic spines (gemmules), receive the input from other neurons. Each…
The peripheral somatic sensory neurons are bipolar neurons. The sensory neuron cell bodies reside in the dorsal root ganglion, that is, situated posterolateral to the spinal cord, usually at or…
Hypotonia and weakness are the major clinical features. Other characteristic features such as scoliosis, ptosis, and ophthalmoplegia may not be apparent at birth, and diagnosis may be delayed until gross-motor…
TRANSIENT NEONATAL MYASTHENIA GRAVIS (TNMG) Mothers with autoimmune MG have a 15% incidence of having babies with TNMG despite the finding that all infants born to seropositive mothers have circulating…
In the healthy newborn infant, purposeless extremity movements have a well-defined muscular tone, despite the lack of coordinated motor function. Concomitantly, full-term newborns have well-developed suck and swallow function. At…
Two types of muscle tone can be assessed clinically: postural and phasic. Postural (antigravity) tone is a sustained, low-intensity muscle contraction in response to gravity. It is mediated by both…
Somatoform diagnoses encompass disorders of somatization, conversion, pain, body dysmorphic disorder, and hypochondriasis, according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) criteria (American Psychiatric Association). Each is characterized…
DIAGNOSIS Pain behavior in the context of chronic pain has a wide differential diagnosis, requiring clinicians to incorporate historical and examination findings into an unbiased patient-centered global assessment. However, sensory…
Peripheral nerve degeneration is the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism. Axons require their neuronal cell bodies to remain healthy to maintain appropriate nerve activity and function; however, when neuronal damage occurs, the…
Rotation. Place one hand on the pelvis and the other on the opposite shoulder. Rotate the pelvis and shoulder posteriorly and repeat on the other side; note any asymmetry in…
