NU 545
Unit 2 Study Guide
Advanced Pathophysiology
University of South Alabama.
This document provides a focused
study guide
It summarizes key concepts, lecture highlights, and
exam-relevant material to support efficient last-minute
review. The guide is structured to help students
reinforce understanding, identify weak areas, and prepare
confidently for the assessment.
,NU 545 Unit 2 Study Guide
1. Review the anatomy of the brain. Which portion is responsible for
keeping you awake, controlling thought, speech, emotions and
behavior, maintaining balance and posture? P. 454-459
• Allows individuals to reason, function intellectually, express personality and
mood and interact with environment
Approx. 3 lbs and consistency of tofu
15%-20% of total cardiac output
Midbrain, medulla oblongata and pons= brainstem
Collection of nuclei within the brainstem= reticular formation
• Reticular Formation (regulates vital function- cardio and respiratory) essential
for maintaining wakefulness
conjunction with cerebral cortex= reticular activating system
• Prefrontal area- goal oriented behavior, short term/ recall memory, and
elaboration of thought and inhibition on the limbic (emotional) areas of the
CNS.
• Broca Speech Area- responsible for motor aspects of speech (on left hemisphere)
damage to this area as a result of CVA results in inability to form words
(expressive aphasia and dysphasia)
• Wernicke Area- superior temporal gyrus; responsible for reception and
interpretation of speech
• The Limbic System- primitive behavioral responses, visceral reaction to
emotion, feeding behaviors, biologic rhythms, and sense of smell. Emotional
and behavioral states= connections with the limbic system and prefrontal cortex
• Cerebellum- responsible for conscious and unconscious muscle synergy-- for
maintaining balance and posture.
2. Know the function of the arachnoid villi. P. 468
• Arachnoid villi— protrude from the arachnoids space, through dura mater, and lie
within the blood flow of the venous sinuses.
• CSF is reabsorbed by means of a pressure gradient btw the arachnoid vili and
cerebral venous sinuses
• Vili function as one way valves they direct CSF outflow into the blood but
preventing blood from into the subarachnoid space.
• Helps CSF circulate through the CNS and return to the blood
3. Where is the primary defect in Parkinsons disease and Huntingtons p.
457
• Defects of the basal ganglia
• Various involuntary and exaggerated motor movements
4. What is the function of the CSF? Where is it produced? Where is it
absorbed? P. 465
• Intracranial and spinal cord structures float in the CSF and are thereby partially
protected from jolts and blows.
1
, • Buoyant properties also prevent the brain from tugging on meninges, nerve roots
and blood vessels.
• *The choroid plexus in the lateral, third and fourth ventricles produce the major
portion of CSF.
• *The CSF does not accumulate but is reabsorbed into the venous circulation
through the arachnoid vili primarily located superior to the falx cerebri in the
superior sagittal sinus.
5. Review blood flow to the brain p. 467
• 800- 1000ml of blood flow per min
• Carbon Dioxide (co2) is primarily regulator because it’s a powerful vasodilator
that ensures adequate blood supply
• 2 systems—internal carotid arteries & vertebral arteries
• *carotid arteries= greater amount of blood flow
• The arterial circle (circle of Willis) —ability to compensate for reduced blood
flow from any one major contribution.
• **formed by the posterior cerebral arteries, posterior communicating arteries,
internal carotid arteries, anterior cerebral arteries, and anterior communicating
artery.
• Originate from the common carotid arteries, enter through the base of the skull
and pass through the cavernous sinus divide into anterior and middle cerebral
arteries pass through the foramina of the cervical vertebrae enter cranium
through foramen magnum and Join at the junction of the PONS and MEDULLA
OBLONGATA to form basilar artery, basilar artery divides at the midbrain to
form paired posterior cerebral arteries
6. What is the gate control theory of pain? P. 485
• Integrates and builds upon features of other theories to explain the complex
multidimensional aspects of pain perception and pain modulation.
• modulated by a balance of impulses conducted to the spinal cord where cells in
the substantia gelatiosa function as a “gate”
• large myelinated A-delta fibers and small unmyleinated C fibers respond to a
broad range of painful stimuli—these fibers terminate on interneurons in the
substantia gelatinosa
• Nociceptive transmission—“open” the spinal gate and increase perception of pain
• Non-nociceptive Stimulation—closure or partial closure of the spinal gates-
decrease pain perception
7. Know the type of nerve fibers that transmit pain impulses. P. 486
• Nociceptors—free nerve endings that respond to specific stimuli; are categorized
according to the stimulus to which they respond and by the properties of the axons
associated with them.
A-delta Fibers—are lightly myelinated, medium sized- stimulated by
severe mechanical deformation and or extreme temperatures.
1. Transmit sharp, well localized and fast pain sensations.
2
Unit 2 Study Guide
Advanced Pathophysiology
University of South Alabama.
This document provides a focused
study guide
It summarizes key concepts, lecture highlights, and
exam-relevant material to support efficient last-minute
review. The guide is structured to help students
reinforce understanding, identify weak areas, and prepare
confidently for the assessment.
,NU 545 Unit 2 Study Guide
1. Review the anatomy of the brain. Which portion is responsible for
keeping you awake, controlling thought, speech, emotions and
behavior, maintaining balance and posture? P. 454-459
• Allows individuals to reason, function intellectually, express personality and
mood and interact with environment
Approx. 3 lbs and consistency of tofu
15%-20% of total cardiac output
Midbrain, medulla oblongata and pons= brainstem
Collection of nuclei within the brainstem= reticular formation
• Reticular Formation (regulates vital function- cardio and respiratory) essential
for maintaining wakefulness
conjunction with cerebral cortex= reticular activating system
• Prefrontal area- goal oriented behavior, short term/ recall memory, and
elaboration of thought and inhibition on the limbic (emotional) areas of the
CNS.
• Broca Speech Area- responsible for motor aspects of speech (on left hemisphere)
damage to this area as a result of CVA results in inability to form words
(expressive aphasia and dysphasia)
• Wernicke Area- superior temporal gyrus; responsible for reception and
interpretation of speech
• The Limbic System- primitive behavioral responses, visceral reaction to
emotion, feeding behaviors, biologic rhythms, and sense of smell. Emotional
and behavioral states= connections with the limbic system and prefrontal cortex
• Cerebellum- responsible for conscious and unconscious muscle synergy-- for
maintaining balance and posture.
2. Know the function of the arachnoid villi. P. 468
• Arachnoid villi— protrude from the arachnoids space, through dura mater, and lie
within the blood flow of the venous sinuses.
• CSF is reabsorbed by means of a pressure gradient btw the arachnoid vili and
cerebral venous sinuses
• Vili function as one way valves they direct CSF outflow into the blood but
preventing blood from into the subarachnoid space.
• Helps CSF circulate through the CNS and return to the blood
3. Where is the primary defect in Parkinsons disease and Huntingtons p.
457
• Defects of the basal ganglia
• Various involuntary and exaggerated motor movements
4. What is the function of the CSF? Where is it produced? Where is it
absorbed? P. 465
• Intracranial and spinal cord structures float in the CSF and are thereby partially
protected from jolts and blows.
1
, • Buoyant properties also prevent the brain from tugging on meninges, nerve roots
and blood vessels.
• *The choroid plexus in the lateral, third and fourth ventricles produce the major
portion of CSF.
• *The CSF does not accumulate but is reabsorbed into the venous circulation
through the arachnoid vili primarily located superior to the falx cerebri in the
superior sagittal sinus.
5. Review blood flow to the brain p. 467
• 800- 1000ml of blood flow per min
• Carbon Dioxide (co2) is primarily regulator because it’s a powerful vasodilator
that ensures adequate blood supply
• 2 systems—internal carotid arteries & vertebral arteries
• *carotid arteries= greater amount of blood flow
• The arterial circle (circle of Willis) —ability to compensate for reduced blood
flow from any one major contribution.
• **formed by the posterior cerebral arteries, posterior communicating arteries,
internal carotid arteries, anterior cerebral arteries, and anterior communicating
artery.
• Originate from the common carotid arteries, enter through the base of the skull
and pass through the cavernous sinus divide into anterior and middle cerebral
arteries pass through the foramina of the cervical vertebrae enter cranium
through foramen magnum and Join at the junction of the PONS and MEDULLA
OBLONGATA to form basilar artery, basilar artery divides at the midbrain to
form paired posterior cerebral arteries
6. What is the gate control theory of pain? P. 485
• Integrates and builds upon features of other theories to explain the complex
multidimensional aspects of pain perception and pain modulation.
• modulated by a balance of impulses conducted to the spinal cord where cells in
the substantia gelatiosa function as a “gate”
• large myelinated A-delta fibers and small unmyleinated C fibers respond to a
broad range of painful stimuli—these fibers terminate on interneurons in the
substantia gelatinosa
• Nociceptive transmission—“open” the spinal gate and increase perception of pain
• Non-nociceptive Stimulation—closure or partial closure of the spinal gates-
decrease pain perception
7. Know the type of nerve fibers that transmit pain impulses. P. 486
• Nociceptors—free nerve endings that respond to specific stimuli; are categorized
according to the stimulus to which they respond and by the properties of the axons
associated with them.
A-delta Fibers—are lightly myelinated, medium sized- stimulated by
severe mechanical deformation and or extreme temperatures.
1. Transmit sharp, well localized and fast pain sensations.
2
