🏥 Medical Encyclopedia
PremiumNeurology
Inferior view of the human brain
Neurology is the branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
🧠 Key Fact: The human brain contains approximately 86 billion neurons and 100 trillion synaptic connections.
Parts of the Brain
- Cerebrum: Largest part, responsible for higher functions (thinking, memory)
- Cerebellum: Coordinates movement and balance
- Brainstem: Controls basic life functions (breathing, heart rate)
- Limbic System: Regulates emotions and memory (hippocampus, amygdala)
Common Neurological Disorders
| Disorder | Description | Prevalence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Disease | Progressive memory loss | 50+ million globally |
| Parkinson's Disease | Movement disorder | 10+ million globally |
| Multiple Sclerosis | Autoimmune demyelination | 2.8 million globally |
| Epilepsy | Recurrent seizures | 50 million globally |
| Stroke | Brain damage from blocked blood flow | 15 million annually |
| Migraine | Severe recurring headaches | 1 billion globally |
Neurological Examination
- Mental Status: Consciousness, orientation, speech
- Cranial Nerves: 12 pairs, tested for function
- Motor Function: Strength, tone, coordination
- Sensory Function: Pain, temperature, vibration
- Reflexes: Deep tendon, pathological reflexes
"The brain is a marvelous organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office." – Robert Frost
Poet