Why Take This Course?

This one-hour online introductory course is the third component of the functional neuro series. This course offers medical professionals a concise yet comprehensive overview of the cerebellum, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system, which are essential components of the central nervous system.

Crucially, this course directly correlates the anatomy of these regions with the neurological exam, emphasizing how to identify essential functions and dysfunctions evident in examinations and what specific signs to look for with dysfunctions in the cerebrum.

The course details the cerebellum's crucial role in integrating sensory, motor, and cortical inputs for precise motor control and modulation of all incoming and outgoing information, highlighting how various pathologies, including vascular injuries, congenital malformations, and genetic syndromes, can affect its function. Furthermore, the course explores the anatomical and functional aspects of the spinal cord, from its central nervous system tissue properties and protective vertebral casing to its segmental organization and common syndromes, such as Brown-Sequard. It concludes by delineating the distinct structure of the peripheral nervous system, which encompasses sensory, motor, and autonomic neurons, as well as their intricate connections to the spinal cord.

This course will enhance your understanding of these critical neurological structures and their clinical implications.

Upon successful completion of this course, the rehab professional will be able to:

• Describe the anatomical and functional roles of the cerebellum in modulating sensory and motor information and controlling limb and axial functions.
• Identify common pathologies affecting the CNS, including vascular injuries, congenital malformations, and genetic syndromes, and their associated symptoms.
• Explain the role of cerebellar output in facilitating and modulating precise and controlled motor movements.
• Outline the key elements of a neurological exam used to assess particular parts of the cerebrum, including eye movements, limb movements, and gait.
• Identify specific dysfunctions arising within the central nervous system. CNS, and explain how these dysfunctions manifest as observable signs and symptoms during a comprehensive neurological examination.
• Describe the anatomical organization of the spinal cord, its relationship to the vertebral column, and the characteristics of common spinal cord syndromes.
• Differentiate between the central and peripheral nervous systems, detailing the components of the peripheral nervous system and its connection to the spinal cord.

Personal Note from the Content Creator

It was through my personal journey of over three decades in physical therapy, working across diverse clinical settings and treating countless diagnoses, that one insight was consistently reinforced: true clinical excellence isn't achieved by rote memorization of protocols. To provide the best, most individualized care, I realized I needed a deep command of the underlying mechanisms of dysfunction, allowing me to be flexible and progressive enough to adapt immediately to every patient's unique and changing needs.

This fundamental philosophy is the foundation of our courses; we build these educational programs to move beyond simple learning by providing the essential reasoning, functional anatomy, and practical application through case studies and real-life examples, anchoring the knowledge you gain directly to the standard of care. We believe this focus on deep understanding is the most valuable path to growth, a belief we back up by dedicating a portion of our efforts to support the therapists and associations who help us develop this specialized education for our peers. My ultimate hope is that our courses will empower you to become a better therapist by applying this fundamental understanding of anatomical dysfunction directly to the development of highly adaptable, patient-specific rehabilitation programs.

Other Courses in this Series