2025 AANN Amplify: Anatomy and Assessment-Amplify Anatomyandassessment

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The AANN Amplify Virtual Symposium featured two rapid reviews of neuroscience anatomy and assessment. Linda Littlejohns presented “Brain Anatomy in a Nutshell,” emphasizing that recognizing normal anatomy helps clinicians identify problems and plan care. She reviewed the skull and skull-base trauma, meninges and hemorrhage spaces, cerebral circulation and Circle of Willis, brain lobes and functions, white-matter tracts, ventricles and cerebrospinal fluid, deep brain structures, brainstem cranial nerves, and cerebellum. She connected these structures to clinical signs such as pupil changes, speech and motor deficits, hydrocephalus, and deterioration from swelling.<br /><br />Marianne Valles then paired spinal anatomy with practical assessment. She reviewed vertebrae, discs, meninges, CSF, and spinal tumors, and explained the distinction between upper and lower motor neuron findings. Her presentation covered cervical and lumbar nerve roots, dermatomes and myotomes, radiculopathy versus myelopathy, and warning signs of cauda equina syndrome, a spinal emergency. She demonstrated examination techniques and discussed disc herniation, imaging, and treatment options.<br /><br />The session concluded with questions, including how to interpret tandem-gait testing in older adults; Valles stressed that it is only one part of an assessment and must be considered alongside other possible causes of impaired balance.<br /><br />The host also shared symposium announcements, including evaluation and continuing-education information, award nominations, and upcoming neuroscience nursing events.

Keywords

neuroscience anatomy

brain anatomy

spinal anatomy

clinical assessment

Circle of Willis

cranial nerves

cerebrospinal fluid

meninges

white matter tracts

brainstem

cerebellum

motor neuron findings

dermatomes and myotomes

cauda equina syndrome

disc herniation