Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals Flashcards

Which of the following best describes the role of the thalamus in sensory processing relevant to pain management in disability care?

Answer: It acts as a relay station routing sensory signals to the appropriate cortical areas

The thalamus is the primary sensory relay center of the brain, routing incoming sensory information including pain signals to the relevant cortical regions.

When documenting a client's muscle weakness as 'flaccid paralysis,' the disability specialist understands this indicates damage to the:

Answer: Lower motor neurons in the spinal cord or peripheral nerves

Flaccid paralysis results from lower motor neuron damage, causing loss of muscle tone, reflexes, and voluntary movement in the affected area.

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint. Which of the following is NOT one of the rotator cuff muscles?

Answer: Deltoid

The deltoid is a large shoulder muscle but is not part of the rotator cuff; the four rotator cuff muscles are supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.

A disability specialist is reviewing a client's chart noting 'T10 complete SCI.' Which functional level should the specialist expect the client to have?

Answer: Full upper extremity function with paraplegia below the umbilicus

A complete T10 spinal cord injury results in full upper extremity function but paraplegia with loss of sensation and motor function below approximately the umbilicus.

The process by which neurons strengthen their synaptic connections based on repeated activation is known as:

Answer: Long-term potentiation

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the strengthening of synaptic connections through repeated stimulation, forming the cellular basis of learning and neuroplasticity after injury.

In the context of respiratory function for individuals with high cervical spinal cord injuries, the phrenic nerve, which innervates the diaphragm, originates from spinal levels:

Answer: C3–C5

The phrenic nerve arises from cervical spinal levels C3, C4, and C5, which is why injuries at C4 and above typically require mechanical ventilation.

Heterotopic ossification (HO), a complication common after spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury, refers to:

Answer: Abnormal bone formation in soft tissue around joints

Heterotopic ossification is the pathological formation of bone in soft tissues, typically around joints, and can severely limit range of motion in SCI or TBI patients.