Neurological Examination

The neurological examination is a universal evaluation that provides information to help localize lesions of the nervous system. It is incorporated in the context of the patient’s overall health and general physical examination. The neurological exam is broken into various sections, all designed to evaluate the various levels of the nervous system. These sections consist of mental status, cranial nerves, motor system, sensory system, coordination, and gait. This entry explores the history of neurological examinations, how mental status is defined, and approaches to examining cranial nerves, motor skills, sensory responses, and cerebellar functioning.