Cranial Nerve Exam: Abnormal Examples: Cranial Nerve 5 - Sensory

Abstract:

There is a sensory deficit for both light touch and pain on the left side of the face for all divisions of the 5th nerve. Note that the deficit is first recognized just to the left of the midline and not exactly at the midline. Patients with psychogenic sensory loss often identify the sensory change as beginning right at the midline. The first principle of neurologic diagnosis is regional or anatomical localization. In order to become skillful the student must understand how structure relates to function of the nervous system. The neurologic examination permits "dissection" of the nervous system and localizes the disease when present. Instead of simply memorizing the components of the exam, a logical and systematic approach to problem solving evolves from repeatedly asking, "Where is the lesion?"

Subject:

Science and Technology

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Collection:

H.E.A.L.