Neurological Examination

Abstract

Wilfred Trotter has said that the performance of a refined neurological examination is “ a job for men” . Certainly performing a full neurological examination seems to separate the men from the boys and many medical students are often unnecessarily alarmed at the prospect. Much of this anxiety can be dispelled, however, if the logic of the examination is appreciated. A greater number of objective signs can be elicited in the examination of the nervous system than in any other system and this profusion of signs, at first so unnerving, can be a positive advantage in providing sufficiently precise information regarding the site of dysfunction in the nervous system. After the examination has revealed this anatomical diagnosis, the physician, by taking into account the details of the evolution of the disease revealed in the history, can usually reach a final conclusion regarding the nature of the disease which is causing the dysfunction in the nervous system. This is the final or pathological diagnosis.