A focal neurologic deficit is a problem in nerve, spinal cord, or brain function that affects a specific location, such as the left face, right arm, or even a small area such as the tongue.
It also refers to any problem with a specific nervous system function such as memory or emotion.
The type, location, and severity of the problem can indicate the area of the brain or nervous system that is affected.
In contrast, a non-focal problem is NOT specific -- such as a general loss of consciousness.
Alternative NamesNeurological deficits - focal
ConsiderationsA focal neurologic problem can affect any function:
Other examples of focal loss of function include:
Anything that damages or disrupts any PART of the nervous system can cause a focal neurologic deficit. Examples include:
Home care depends on the type and the cause of neurologic loss. (Refer to the specific disorder causing the problem.)
Call your health care provider ifIf any loss of movement, sensation, or function occurs, call your health care provider.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe health care provider will take your medical history and perform a physical examination.
Medical history questions detailing neurological deficits may include:
The physical examination will include a detailed examination of nervous system function.
Diagnostic tests vary depending on other symptoms and the suspected cause of the nerve function loss. Tests used ot evaluate focal neurologic deficits are aimed at locating the place in the nervous system that is involved. Common examples are:
Griggs RC, Jozefowicz RF, Aminoff MJ. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 418.
Symptoms of focal neurological defects may include numbness, tingling, blind spots or other visual disturbance, weakness, facial drooping, or difficulty speaking.
A focal deficit is a specific area in which normal function isn't present. For example, if you had a headache during which you couldn't see in your right visual field, you'd have a focal deficit. If you had Bell's palsy and couldn't raise your eyebrow or smile normally, you'd have a focal deficit.
A vasculitic process is something that was going on in your body that caused inflammation of vessels. Focal demyelination is a small area of loss of the "insulating" fatty layer that covers the nerves.
CONCUSSION A patient who has suffered concussion may exhibit signs of confusion. For example, they may ask the same questions over and over again and appear disorientated. If patients show signs of focal neurological deficits (problems with the nerves that affect specific areas of the face or brain) this may suggest that an area of the brain isn't functioning normally.
The distance from a lens to the focal point is called the focal length.
In the context of optics or photography, "non-focal" typically refers to objects or elements that are not the primary focus of the lens. This can include background elements or out-of-focus areas in an image. Non-focal points do not fall within the plane of focus determined by the lens and may appear blurry or less defined compared to the focal point.
focal length of the lens
It does not. For an explanation of "focal plane" see the question What is the focal plane?
Focal Point:The distance from the Lens to the Focal Point is called the Focal Point.
focal calcification
Focal-JMLab was created in 1979.
The population of Focal-JMLab is 213.