NeuroLogic Examination Videos and Descriptions: An Anatomical Approach
NeuroLogic Examination for Adults
Videos and Descriptions
An Anatomical Approach
null
Go to Site Index by Exam Site Contents Listed by Exam
Go to Site Index by Topic Site Contents Listed by Topic

Go to Neuroanatomy Video Lab - Brain Dissections Additional Resource: Neuroanatomy Video Lab - Brain Dissections
Go to Neuroanatomy Online Tutorial - HyperBrain Additional Resource: Neuroanatomy Online Tutorial - HyperBrain
Go to Lumbar Puncture Tutorial - The Procedure and CSF Analysis Additional Resource: Lumbar Puncture Tutorial - The Procedure and CSF Analysis

Site Index

INTRODUCTION
Window to the Brain

MENTAL STATUS EXAM
Anatomy
Normal Exam
Abnormal Examples
Quiz
Media Resources

CRANIAL NERVE EXAM

Anatomy
Normal Exam
Abnormal Examples
Quiz
Media Resources

COORDINATION EXAM
Anatomy
Normal Exam
Abnormal Examples
Quiz
Media Resources

SENSORY EXAM
Anatomy
Normal Exam
Abnormal Examples
Quiz
Media Resources

MOTOR EXAM
Anatomy
Normal Exam
Abnormal Examples
Quiz
Media Resources

GAIT EXAM
Anatomy
Normal Exam
Abnormal Examples
Quiz
Media Resources


NEUROLOGIC CASES
Case History, Neurologic Exam, Findings, Localization of the Lesion(s), Identification of Damaged Structures, Case Discussion

SITE CONTENTS
• ...Listed by Exam
• ...Listed by Topic

OTHER SECTIONS OF INTEREST
Credits
Copyright
Contacts & Feedback
How to Use This Site
Download Movies Page
Movie Download Instructions
Password to Unlock Zipped Movies
Creative Commons License: Movie Use
How to Fix Messy Fonts
How to Show Closed Captions Closed Captions icon
How to add QuickTime to PowerPoint
Health Content Disclaimer
Site Production Notes
Home



ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Go to the Pediatric Neurologic Exam website Pediatric Neurologic Exam Website
Go to the Brain Dissection Video Lab Video Lab: Brain Dissections
Go to HyperBrain Tutorial Online Tutorial: HyperBrain
Go to Lumbar Puncture Tutorial Lumbar Puncture Tutorial:
null The Procedure and CSF Analysis


University of Utah Logo

Copyright
The University of Utah 2001
Updated February 2007
Updated September 2007
Updated September 2008
Updated September 2009
Updated September 2010
Updated November 2012
Updated September 2013
Updated December 2014
Updated January 2015
Updated August 2016
Updated March 2019

Updated May 2020



Go to Top of Page
 
Mental Status > Anatomy

SECTIONS
Introduction video
Frontal Lobes video
Temporal Lobes video
Language - Temporal & Frontal Lobes video
Parietal Lobes video
Occipital Lobes video
Traps video
Pearls video


MOVIES CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE, OR DOWNLOADED FOR LATER VIEWING.
see "How to use this Site"
see "Movie Download Instructions"

 


Introduction
The cerebral hemispheres represent the highest and most complex level of neurological function. There is so much integration of cortical function that whatever system is used to clinically "examine" the cerebral hemispheres will be an over simplification and somewhat artificial compartmentalization. Although a lot of mental status reflects integration of cortical function, it can still be divided into parts that correspond to the divisions of the cerebral hemispheres. This anatomy review will be a brief overview of areas of cortical function that can be examined by components of the mental status exam.

Click to download this video. View video in separate page

 

QR Code


Frontal Lobes
The frontal lobes are important for attention, executive function, motivation, and behavior. Tests for frontal lobe function include working memory (digit span, spelling backward), judgment, fund of knowledge, task organization and set generation such as naming lists of things in a certain category.

Click to download this video. View video in separate page

 

QR Code


Temporal Lobes
The temporal lobes are important for emotional response (amygdala and its connections to the hypothalamus and frontal lobes) and memory (hippocampus and limbic connections). Clinically the main tests for temporal lobe function are those of memory, particularly declarative memory.

Click to download this video. View video in separate page

 

QR Code


Language- Temporal and Frontal Lobes
The principle area for receptive language is Wernicke's area, which is located in the posterior part of the superior temporal gyrus of the dominant temporal lobe. The major region for expressive language is Broca's area located in posterior part of the inferior frontal gyrus of the dominant hemisphere. Homologous regions of the non-dominant hemisphere are important for the non-verbal contextual and emotional aspects as well as the prosody (rhythm) of language. Tests for written and spoken receptive and expressive language are used to "view" these language centers.

Click to download this video. View video in separate page

 

QR Code


Parietal Lobes
The parietal lobes are important for perception and interpretation of sensory information especially somatosensory information. The non-dominant parietal lobe is particularly important for visual-spatial function. The dominant parietal lobe is important for praxis, which is the formation of the idea of a complex purposeful motor act while the frontal lobes are important for the execution of the act. The Gerstmann syndrome, which consists of the constellation of acalculia, finger agnosia, right-left confusion and agraphia, occurs with damage to the dominant inferior parietal lobe. Clinical tests for parietal lobe function include tests for agnosia (such as inability to identify objects by tactile exploration), apraxia (inability to perform purposeful motor acts on command), constructional apraxia (inability to draw objects which require use of visual spatial organization) and testing for elements of Gerstmann's syndrome.

Click to download this video. View video in separate page

 

QR Code


Occipital Lobes
The occipital lobes are important for perception of visual information. Areas in the inferior temporal visual association cortex are important for recognition of color and shape as well as the recognition of faces. Projections from the occipital lobe to the superior temporal-parietal area are important for perceiving motion of objects. Tests that are used to examine the occipital lobes and its connections include visual fields (see Cranial Nerve 2), naming of objects, naming of colors and recognition of faces.

Click to download this video. View video in separate page

 

QR Code


Traps

  1. There is more variability to the expression of lesions of the cerebral cortex than of structures more caudal in the neuroaxis.
  2. Time of day, stress, fatigue, and pain can affect a patient's performance on the mental status exam.
  3. You need to consider the patient's social and educational background when evaluating the results of the mental status exam.

Video is sound only.


Click to download this video. View video in separate page

 

QR Code


Pearls

  1. The mental status exam begins with listening and watching the patient during the history part of the examination.
  2. The patient must be awake and alert in order to have a "window" to view the cortex. So assessment of the level of alertness and the intactness of the reticular activating system is actually the first step in the mental status assessment.

Video is sound only.


Click to download this video. View video in separate page

 

QR Code

 

 


 

Go to Top of this Page
Home | Contacts & Feedback | Copyright | Credits | Disclaimer | Privacy