Diseases of the nervous system - for the general practitioner and student (1913) (14579651208)

Identifier: diseasesofnervou00gord (find matches)
Title: Diseases of the nervous system : for the general practitioner and student
Year: 1913 (1910s)
Authors: Gordon, Alfred, 1869-1953
Subjects: Nervous System Diseases
Publisher: Philadelphia : Blakiston's Son
Contributing Library: Columbia University Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Open Knowledge Commons



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life with a special localization in the cerebellum which results in atrophyof the latter. (2) Idiocy which exists in such cases has an anatomicalbasis in conjunction with other alterations of the cerebral cortex. (3) Allthe systems of fibers ending in the cerebellum are in a state of atrophy.B. Hyperplasia is characterized by an excessive development of the THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM 55 constituent elements of the brain. Macrocephaly is due to hypertrophyof the brain. There is anatomically an increase of gray substance and ofconnective tissue in the white matter. The skull is proportionally in-creased and the head appears large. The etiology of macrocephaly is alcoholism and syphilis of theparents. Imbecility, idiocy and convulsions are observed in macro-cephalic individuals. Other Malformations.—To this category belong cases associated withdefects in the development of the cranium. Encephalocele is character-ized by a protrusion of brain tissue between the cranial bones, which for
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Fig. 50.—Spina Bifida. some reason failed to coalesce. If the meninges alone form the mass, itis called Meningocele. There is usually a combination of both anomalies. Cyclopia is characterized by a mass in the forehead consisting of fusionof both eyes. When in addition to the latter there is also absence of thenose, the anomaly is called Arhinencephalia. Spinal Cord.—The most common variety of malformations of thespinal cord is Spina bifida. It is due to a defect in the development of thevertebral arches, which failed to coalesce and therefore permitted the cordwith or without the meninges to protrude dorsally. 50 THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM Spina bifida may present itself as a Meningocele, viz. a saccular tumorcontaining the meninges; as a Meningomyelocele, consisting of meningesand cord, also the nerve-roots; as a myelocele, consisting only of cordtissue; the latter is rare and occurs when not only the vertebral arches,but also the medullary folds failed to coalesce.