Brain vs. Spinal Cord

By Patrick R. Field, Thomas A. Cappaert

Abstract

In this case study, students read about the injuries sustained by a young man hurt in a serious diving accident. To solve the case, they must determine the type of central nervous system injury described using their knowledge of the differences between symptoms and signs of brain and spinal cord injury. The case was developed for upper-level neuroscience courses and rehabilitation courses that cover the neuroanatomy of the central nervous system and the symptoms of different types of central nervous system injury.

Download Case

Date Posted

10/01/2001

Overview

Objectives

To distinguish the differences in symptoms and signs between brain (cerebral hemisphere) and spinal cord injury (hemisection of the cord) using previous knowledge.
To determine what type of central nervous system (CNS) injury is present by recognizing the symptoms and signs in a diagnostic summary.
To determine the symptoms and signs of an alternate CNS injury that is not being described in the case study using similar diagnostic methods.
To be used as a review of previous CNS material and a tool to bring different sections of neuroanatomy together in a clinical context.

Keywords

Central nervous system; brain trauma; brain injury; spine; spinal cord injury; peripheral nervous system; cerebral cortex; diagnostic testing

Subject Headings

Anatomy

Medicine (General)

Sports Science

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate upper division, Graduate

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Directed, Discussion

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

Case teaching notes are protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, purchase a subscription here.

Teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience, details about how the case may be taught, and a list of references and resources.

Download Notes

Answer Key

Answer Keys are protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, purchase a subscription here.

Download Answer Key