A patient has poor coordination and balance after suffering a fall from height,

Which area of the brain is likely affected?

Question

A patient has poor coordination and balance after suffering a fall from height,

Which area of the brain is likely affected?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Consider the clinical clue: poor coordination and balance after a fall from height suggests involvement of brain regions responsible for motor coordination rather than basic autonomic control.
Option 1: Hypothalamus — this area primarily regulates autonomic and endocrine functions such as temperature, hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms. It is not the main center for coordinating movement or balance, so this choice is unlikely.
Option 2: Cerebrum — while the cerebral cortex (a part of the cerebrum) contributes to planning and initiating movement, gross balance and precise coordination are more classically attributed to the cerebellum. The question points to a deficit that is hallmark of cerebellar dysfunction, making this option partially plausible but not the best fit for the described scattered balance issues.
Option 3: Cerebellum — this structure is the key coordinator of movement, posture, and balance. Damage or dysfunction after trauma commonly presents with ataxia, dysmetria, intention tremor, and wide-based gait. Given the symptoms, this option directly matches the typical neuroanatomical correlate.
Option 4: Pituitary — the pituitary gland regulates endocrine functions and hormones; it does not govern motor coordination or balance, so this choice does not explain the clinical presentation.
Option 5: Medulla — the medulla controls vital autonomic functions (breathing, heart rate, basic reflexes). While damage here can be life-threatening, it does not principally produce coordination and balance problems, making it a less appropriate explanation for the described symptoms.
Overall, the pattern of impaired coordination and balance after trauma aligns best with cerebellar involvement, while the other regions do not fit the clinical picture as closely. The cerebellum’s role in fine-tuning movements and maintaining equilibrium explains the observed deficits beyond what the other structures regulate.

BMI5102 BMI5102 Final Assessment Section - MCQs & SAQs

A patient has poor coordination and balance after suffering a fall from height, Which area of the brain is likely affected?

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