PTA 102 - Clinical Neuroanatomy

1. Describe the nervous system in relation to its maturation and subdivisions.
   1. Describe the three parts of the nervous system, including the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS), and the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
   2. Describe the anatomy of the CNS including the four lobes of the cerebrum, the cerebellum, the brainstem (medulla, pons and midbrain) and state each function.
   3. Identify the 12 cranial nerves and list their functions.
   4. Compare and contrast sympathetic nervous system responses to parasympathetic nervous system responses of the ANS.
   5. Compare and contrast somatic vs. autonomic nervous system.
2. Describe the meningeal and circulatory system of the CNS.
   1. Describe, draw and label the three layers of the CNS .
   2. Examine the function of the meninges relationship to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
   3. Explain the flow distribution of CSF.
   4. Describe, draw and label the cranial arterial circulation.
3. Describe the anatomy and function of the spinal cord.
   1. Identify the anatomy of the spinal cord.
   2. Label the conus medullaris, filum terminale, and cauda equina in respect to the distal spinal cord region.
   3. Compare and contrast the gray matter, white matter, ventral horn, and dorsal horn.
   4. Differentiate between the levels of the spinal cord in respect to cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.
   5. Identify the gray matter and the white matter and describe its function in the spinal cord and relate it to nuclei and spinal tracts.
   6. Identify the dorsal nerve root, ventral nerve root, and spinal nerve and relate these to motor and/or sensory function.
   7. Compare and contrast afferent vs. efferent, sensory pathways vs. motor pathways, dorsal root vs. ventral root.
4. Describe the nervous system at its cellular level.
   1. Identify the parts of the neuron and give the function of each part.
   2. Describe the myelin sheath of the neuron and its purpose.
   3. Compare the production of myelin in the CNS vs. PNS.
   4. List the various types of glial cells in the CNS and state the function of each.
   5. Compare nuclei vs. ganglia.
   6. List names given to bundles of nerve fibers in the CNS vs. the PNS.
   7. Distinguish between a neuron, fascicles, and nerve.
5. Describe the physiology involved in impulse transmission. 
   1. Describe impulse transmission along a neuron.
   2. Describe factors affecting the rate of transmission of an impulse, including axon diameter and myelin sheath.
   3. Discuss the components of a synaptic event, including presynaptic terminal, synaptic cleft, postsynaptic membrane, and neurotransmitter.
   4. Define motor end plate, myoneural junction and neuromuscular junction.
   5. Define inhibitory neuron.
   6. Define interneuron.
   7. Identify the muscle spindle and its components.
6. Demonstrate understanding of the ways information is carried from the periphery to the CNS.
   1. Explain the following spinal reflexes: stretch reflexes, flexor withdrawal reflexes and cross extension reflex.
   2. Define muscle tone and relate it to hypotonia, hypertonia, spasticity and rigidity.
   3. List the principal ascending and descending tracts of the spinal cord.
   4. Follow a nerve impulse from a sensory neuron in the skin to the brain and back to voluntary muscles.
7. Explain the effects of various injuries to the nervous system. 
   1. Compare upper versus lower motor lesions and their clinical implications.
   2. Describe clinical results from spinal cord lesions.
   3. Describe the process of nerve regeneration in the PNS and plasticity in the CNS.
   4. Describe clinical symptoms that may result in CNS lesions in various parts of the brain, including cerebellum, basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebrum (right vs. left hemisphere).
   5. Describe clinical findings if arterial damage occurs within the brain.
   6. Differentiate between CNS diseases such as CVA, Intercerebral hemorrhage, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Amytrophic lateral sclerosis, and Traumatic Brain injury and relate it to changes in the function of the nervous system.
   7. Clarify at least three reasons why an individual might present with unilateral neglect.
   8. Recognize the role of the healthcare provider in the management of neurological symptoms.
8. Discuss pain neuroscience education (PNE).
   1. Define pain as it relates to physical therapy.
   2. Explain pain neuroscience education.
   3. Compare and contrast the biomedical model with the biopsychosocial model.
   4. Identify who needs PNE.
   5. Explain how to implement PNE with patients.
9. Discuss responses to relevant potential legal or ethical issues.
   1. Describe an appropriate response to each legal/ethical issue discussed in class.