Neurologic Finding is a medical term used to describe the examination findings of a neurological examination. The word is spelled as /nʊˈrɑːlədʒɪk ˈfaɪndɪŋ/, in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as "noo," the second syllable as "rah," and the third syllable as "lojik." The fourth syllable is pronounced as "fai-nding," with a long "i" sound in the middle. Neurologic Finding is an important term for medical professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of various neurological disorders.
A neurologic finding refers to any observable or detectable abnormality or characteristic related to the nervous system. It encompasses a wide range of symptoms, signs, or abnormalities that can be detected through physical examination, diagnostic tests, or patient history. Neurologic findings are essential in diagnosing and evaluating various neurological disorders, as they provide valuable insights into the functioning and integrity of the nervous system.
These findings can manifest in different ways, such as changes in reflexes, sensation, coordination, muscle strength, or cognition. For instance, the presence of abnormal reflexes, weakness or paralysis, sensory disturbances, tremors, abnormal eye movements, or cognitive impairments are all examples of neurologic findings. They can be observed by healthcare professionals during a physical examination, or documented by subjective reports from the patient or their caregiver.
Neurologic findings can indicate underlying neurological conditions, including but not limited to strokes, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, neurodegenerative disorders, or brain tumors. They serve as crucial clinical markers that aid in the identification and evaluation of these conditions, helping healthcare professionals determine the appropriate course of treatment and management.
Overall, neurologic findings provide valuable information about the functioning of the nervous system, allowing healthcare professionals to assess and diagnose neurological disorders, monitor disease progression, and design effective treatment plans to optimize patient care and outcomes.
The word "neurologic" is derived from the Greek words "neuron" meaning "nerve" and "logos" meaning "study" or "knowledge". "Neurologic" refers to anything related to the nerves and their functions, particularly pertaining to the medical field.
The word "finding" comes from the Old English word "findan" meaning "to come upon" or "to discover". In the context of medicine, a "finding" refers to a piece of information or an observation made by a healthcare provider during an examination or investigation.
Therefore, "neurologic finding" typically refers to the discoveries, observations, or abnormal test results made during a neurological examination or study.