Final answer:
Fainting, known as syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood flow to the brain, while ataxia refers to a lack of muscle coordination that can arise from conditions including strokes affecting the cerebellar arteries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fainting is also known as syncope. It is a temporary loss of consciousness usually related to insufficient blood flow to the brain. Ataxia, on the other hand, refers to a lack of muscle coordination which can be due to various causes, including focal lesions such as strokes that affect the cerebellar arteries. When a person presents symptoms like feeling faint and a 'pins-and-needles' sensation, healthcare providers perform a neurological exam to determine the affected area of the nervous system, which can indicate the presence of a stroke.