In this BoardsCast episode, we continue our deep dive into Tobias Chapter 26: Neurologic Examination & Neuroanatomic Diagnosis, focusing on cranial nerve testing and the two most commonly misunderstood neurologic responses: the menace response and the pupillary light reflex (PLR).

These two tests look similar — bright light, hand wave, eyeball reaction — but they assess completely different pathways. And boards LOVE to exploit that.

You’ll learn:

• The functional roles of all 12 cranial nerves (in surgeon-friendly language)
• How to perform and interpret each cranial nerve test
• Why the menace and PLR rarely “match” — and why that's normal
• What afferent/efferent pathways each reflex evaluates
• How to use discordant findings to localize forebrain, brainstem, retinal, or nerve lesions
• The classic exam traps and how to avoid mislocalization

If you've ever mixed up which reflex needs a cortex or why a blind dog still has a normal PLR — this episode fixes that forever.

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In this BoardsCast episode, we wrap up our neuro-localization series by stepping out of the spine and into the brain. Using Chapter 26 of Tobias & Johnston’s Veterinary Surgery (2nd ed) as our guide, we translate neuroanatomy into simple, memorable, boards-ready patterns that distinguish forebrain, brainstem, cerebellar, and vestibular disease at a glance.

You’ll learn:

• The hallmark signs of each intracranial region — in plain English
• How to differentiate seizures (forebrain) from weakness (brainstem)
• Why cerebellar disease looks dramatic but is rarely weak
• How to split vestibular disease into central vs peripheral
• What cranial nerve deficits localize with precision
• What the boards love to ask about head tilt, menace response, and proprioception

If cranial neuro localization ever felt confusing, this episode turns it into a predictable, clinically useful checklist.

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In this BoardsCast episode, we take the “UMN vs LMN” framework from Part B and apply it to the four major spinal cord regions surgeons must localize instantly. Using Chapter 26 of Tobias & Johnston’s Veterinary Surgery (2nd ed), we translate the entire spinal cord into four predictable “neuro boxes.”

You’ll learn:

• The hallmark signs of each spinal cord segment
• How gait, posture, reflexes, and proprioception change with each region
• Why C6–T2 is the most confusing — and the one boards love
• How to distinguish L4–S3 LMN paresis from orthopedic weakness
• When panniculus and cutaneous trunci testing truly help
• How to localize any case quickly using a flowchart mindset

If neuro localization ever felt overwhelming, this episode breaks it down into four clean, testable, reliable categories.

🎁 Simini Bonus

Claim your free sample of Simini Protect Lavage (just cover shipping):
https://www.simini.com/getstarted1620808454519

Listen On:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music