ABSTRACT
A logical framework of history taking and examination is the basis of the discipline of clinical medicine. This chapter discusses the problem-orientated approach that practised daily in clinics, surgeries, and wards worldwide, and presents the history taking, examination, and the essentials of functional neurology. The purpose of clinical examination is to diagnose the condition responsible for the patient’s symptoms, which will subsequently dictate treatment. Neurology loses its mystery and is arguably the most logical of all the medical subspecialties in terms of utilizing information available from clinical examination to localize the site and nature of pathology. The assessment of higher cerebral function is carried out during the neurological examination, but may also be supplemented by a more detailed assessment of cognitive function performed by a neuropsychologist. Sensory examination is the most exacting and potentially misleading part of the neurological examination. There are five categories of sensation to test: pain, temperature; vibration, joint position, and light touch.
