Essays on Spinal Cord

Introduction

Nurses play an integral, challenging, and complex role in the healthcare system. Nurses are considered as the backbone of the complex and diverse system that comprises patients and a multidisciplinary team of experts. Nurses are educated and trained to cater to a large group of patients and often seek continuing education and upgrade their skills and knowledge. It is only through clinical exposure that nurses learn and implement new strategies and techniques. Nurses are known to transform the healthcare system by acting as mediators between the patient population and the medical team (physicians and other allied healthcare members). Through ...

Describe how a nerve impulse is transmitted from one neuron to the next

The transmission from one neuron to another is characterized by exchange of electric charge across the membrane of each neuron (Fields, 2014). An unstimulated neuron would be polarised (McCance 2014). In the polarized state, there is difference in the electric charge across the membrane. However, during exchange, a neuron is said to undergo polarization, wherein there is an excess of Na+ (sodium ions) outside and excess of K+ (potassium ions) on the outside (Fields, 2014). Nerve impulse is transmitted through the process of polarization, repolarization, and hyperpolarization (McCance 2014).

Compare the structure and functions of the CNS and PNS.

The nervous system comprises of the central nervous system (CNS) ...

The Corpus Callosum is the largest commissure, which facilitates communication between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. The views on the value of the Corpus Callosum are varied: from the most "useless" to those defining the higher cognitive functions of human brain structure. According to modern concept, the role of Corpus Callosum is not limited to the transfer of information. This commissure enables meta-control of the information in both hemispheres, as one of them must establish the function of its processing (Banich, 1995). Corpus Callosum not only transmits sensory information, ensuring its double representation in every hemisphere, ...

Mechanics function of the spine

The human body is meticulously designed with a complex and specialized skeletal system that helps not only provide support and structure for the body but enhances motion and stability. The spinal cord is the extension of the brain and it forms an essential part of the central nervous system. As people age the mechanics of the body are altered (NiosiOxland 2004). Degenerative processes are inevitable and as such, the facet joints, discs and vertebrae are affected. These degenerative issues of the spine include the degenerative disc disease, which is well known; others include Slipped discs, Spinal stenosis Osteoarthritis and ...

Functional Electrical Stimulation in Stroke Rehabilitation

Age-related changes in the spinal column produce a degenerative process known as spondylosis. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is associated with changes in spinal column resulting in direct compressive and ischemic dysfunction of the spinal cord. Some symptoms, such as motor and sensory abnormalities, have been related to this dysfunction.1 Genetic, environmental, and occupational factors influence in the development of this condition, affecting not only old people, but also a spectrum of different ages, being a big source of disability and affecting negatively quality of life. 2 Clinical findings in cervical spondylotic myelopathy can be subtle, such as reduction in ...

Stem cell research and therapy are not new and continue to be a controversial topic. The benefits of stem cells, and what most scientists agree are the potential benefits of stem cells, in curing disease and regenerating tissue are seemingly limitless. In the past bone marrow transplants were the primary method used to obtain stem cells for research into cures for contemporary diseases such as cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimers, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes as well as spinal cord injuries. However, Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR) is much more controversial. There has been a recent shift to use ...

Vestibular Projections

Vestibular projections in the central nervous system consist of vestibular end organs which communicate with the brain stem and the cerebellum via the vestibular branch of the eighth cranial nerve. These nerves are also connected to the auditory fibers. Thus damage caused to these structures can cause both vestibular and auditory disturbances. The vital function of the vestibular system is to coordinate head and eye movements. The ability of the eye to stay focused on an object even while the head is moving is brought about by the vestibular system.

Vestibular Cochlear Nerve

The vestibulo cochlear nerve or the auditory nerve is ...

Spinal cord injury is a traumatic damage of the spinal cord dealt by the mechanic factors, which leads to its permanent or temporary dysfunction. Symptoms of the spinal cord injury can vary widely according to the location of the injury and its severity. Sensory disorders appear in dermatomes that are corresponding to the level of the spinal cord lesion and include loss of sensitivity, paresthesia, pain and numbness in the affected area. Damage of the motor innervation leads to the development of the paresis or palsy. Depending on the level of the injury it will affect different groups of ...

(Author Name) (Course Name/Number) The human brain is simply fascinating, and although it is at the very core of all human reasoning, intellect, and ability, it is still largely unexplored and misunderstood. The physical and social sciences have collaboratively conducted hundreds, if not thousands, of studies aimed at understanding the connection between the brain and human behavior, but even more interesting are the physiological processes that are intertwined to create a roadmap of human behavior, response, and consciousness that drives our very existence. These physiological processes are comprised of nervous systems functions, sensory system functions, and brain functions, which ...

I. WHAT IS HAPPINESS? II. WHAT THE DALAI LAMA AND D. GILBERT SAY ABOUT HAPPINESS

A. THE DALAI LAMA’S VIEW

1. Desires – are they good or bad? 2. Self-satisfaction as the moving force. 3. Greed as the obstacle to happiness. 4. Two ways to be happy. B. DANIEL GILBERT’S POSITION. 1. Parents happiness with children 2. Reasons of parents’ unhappiness. a. Overexpectation. b. Children as a natural way to feel happy. c. The only source of happiness. III. PHILOSOPHICAL ANALYSIS OF THE TWO APPROACHES FROM THE POSITION OF INDUCTION AND DEDUCTION. IV. THE FIRST APPROACH IS MORE PROFOUND, AND THE SECOND APPROACH IS ...

The human brain is the most complex part of the human body that is very hard to understand. Our brains behave in a way that neuroscientists and psychologists have never understood. Its ability to control body functions and consciousness is one of the most challenging section that these individuals are still struggling to figure out. The human brain capacity of 1350 cc and it is made up of a very complex network of neurons that develop during the last three months of development (The Function of the Human Brain, 2016). The way we perceive the world around us is ...

The generic drugs are normally copies of the brand name drugs and normally contain the same ingredients and serve the same purposes as the brand name drugs. However, the major difference that exists between the generic drugs and the brand name drugs is that the generic drugs normally cost less than the brand-name drugs (Goldberg 275). Brand name drugs have a higher price because of the consumers’ perception that the brand name drugs are of higher quality.

Explain the beneficial use of amphetamines.

Amphetamines are drugs that are used to stimulate the central nervous systems. They are applied in the treatment of ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity ...

The issue/ problem

The case concerns Mr. A. His medical condition relates to terminal cancer that is affecting his lower spine and pelvic bones. The problem with his condition is the complexity of the situation. The patient has decubitus ulcers since the skin around his pelvic bones has developed bed sore and pressure sore. At one point, nurses do not know whether to keep on turning him to avoid any further skin breakdown while other nurses insist that he has to remain in the present position to stop causing pain to the patient. Also, it is critical since Mr. A has a ...

A. The human cerebral cortex is divided into three main areas: sensory, motor and associated areas (Association Cortex, 2016). Sensory areas belong to the peripheral nervous system. They extend from the spinal cord to the receptor cells located in all parts of the body. The primary function of sensory area to carry impulses from the receptor cells to the brain for interpretation. These impulses can be those of sensations like touch, pain, smell, taste and sight. The motor area or the primary motor cortex is located in the interior part of the brain at the central sulcus. Its pyramidal ...

Part A: Cranial Nerves:

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves emerging from the brain’s underside passing via cranial openings leading to various parts of the head, neck and body trunk. These nerves are naming, and numbering of these nerves is based on their position i.e. from the anterior to the posterior of the brain. In this case, the olfactory nerve is CN1 while CN12 is the hypoglossal nerve (Wissmann, 2013). In this paper, only four of the twelve cranial nerves shall be discussed i.e. the Olfactory nerve (CN1), Oculomotor Nerve (CN-III) which are sensory nerves, and the Trigeminal Nerve (CN-V) and ...

The nervous system (NS) denotes a collection of human body organs as well as connections, which have expressly differentiated cells referred as neurons or other specialized biochemicals, tissues, and supportive cells that assist in the normal working of the human body NS (Swanson, 2015). The human nervous system helps in addressing acquisition, processing, understanding, storing, as well as coordinating or transmitting signals in the body. Therefore, many body organs, as well as sensory organs, possess discrete and different roles. The nervous system (NS) can be categorized into two, that is, peripheral nervous system (PNS) as well as central nervous ...

Chapter #16:

Question 1. Insect-eating birds will decrease in number since their source of food has been reduced. The birds may also migrate to warmer areas during this period.

Question 2.

The habitat is the specific place where the organism lives e.g. a fish’s habitat is water. On the other hand, niche is the position and the role played by the organism in an ecosystem. It includes how the organism obtain food and shelter, the mode of survival, and the mode of reproduction (Sutton & Anderson, 2009, p. 46). For instance, a lion’s niche in the ecosystem is that of a predator.Question ...

Myelomeningocele is a very severe form of spina bifida among fetus. It is a condition where the spinal cord fails, making it a very delicate procedure during surgery of a fetus. This is in the sense that it can impact the nervous system, kidneys, bladder, muscles and bones. The only safe and recommended way of treating myelomeningocele is carrying out a surgery on the fetus after birth (Mitchell, et. al., 2004). During delivery of the fetus, the safest and recommended way of carrying out a cesarean section delivery on a pregnant woman is through open fetal surgery, that involves ...

In this assignment, two studies were selected and evaluated on the basis of the appropriateness of their respective research designs. The first study was conducted by Coleman and colleagues (2013) to “examine the relationship between health-related quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injury and mental health of their caregivers in Columbia, South America.” On the other hand, the second study was conducted by Richey and Hodges (1992) to determine the effectiveness of respite care in reducing caregiver burden. In the study by Coleman and colleagues (2013), a descriptive design was used. This design is appropriate for this ...

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder, which affects the central nervous system. It was first described as a separate disease in 1868 by Jean-Martin Charcot (Compston and Coles, 2008). The average prevalence of the disease globally is 30 people from 100000 (Milo and Kahana, 2010). However, the incidence of multiple sclerosis varies greatly depending geography. While in the African countries it happens comparatively rarely, its frequency is increasing consistently in Asia and America. In Europe, multiple sclerosis happens with the highest rate in the world. There are four clinical forms of multiple sclerosis (Compston and Coles, 2008). Relapsing-remitting MS ...

Part one

Once the thirst hub situated in the lateral hypothalamus informs the body of dehydration, it will react by stimulating drinking behavior. The brain sends sensory messages to appropriate muscles to lift the glass of water for drinking purposes. Impulses arise from the cerebral motor compound of the brain. The impulses then move via the corticospinal tract1, which traverses via the midbrain, the pons and the medulla until it departs from the skull via the occipital foramen and goes into the spinal cord. From the spinal cord, the impulse journeys through explicit nerves that branch outwardly on the spinal column ...

The brain regulates the choice of a person to be physically active. Stimuli from the environment and from the tissues excite receptors and nerves which in turn excite the muscles. The central nervous system has three general areas that are associated with the complexity of the movement and the familiarity of the various stimuli. The areas include the spinal cord which handles simple reflex actions, the lower brain which organizes more complex responses while the cerebral cortex controls the most complicated responses and stores general motor programs. The spinal cord consists of two-way tracks of nerve fibers which carries both ...