2. Structure of the CNS

Question 1

What is the pyramidal system?

Answer 1

Upper motor neuron starts in the pre-central glyrus
Passes through the pyramids of the medulla
Conscious movement

Question 2

What is the extrapyramidal system?

Answer 2

Upper motor neuron starts in other brain centre nuclei (basal ganglia)
Don’t pass through pyramids
Fine tune movement

Question 3

What is the cerebellum responsible for?

Answer 3

Balance
Tone
Posture
Co-ordination and planning movement

Question 4

What disease affects the cerebellum?

Answer 4

Transient cerebellar disease: drunk

Associated with intention tremor

Question 5

What are the functions of the basal ganglia?

Answer 5

Diffuse set of nuclei responsible for allowing/stopping movements

Question 6

Name the basal ganglia

Answer 6

Nucleus accumbens
Caudate
Putamen
Globus pallidus
Subthalamic nucleus
Substantia nigra

Question 7

What disease affects the basal ganglia?

Answer 7

Parkinson’s

Associated with resting tremor

Question 8

What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 8

Sensory relay station

Question 9

Where is the thalamus located?

Answer 9

Either side of the third ventricle

Question 10

What type of information travels in dorsal columns?

Answer 10

Touch

Proprioreception

Question 11

What path is taken by nerves conveying touch and proprioception?

Answer 11

Dorsal columns:
First nerve enters and goes up to medulla
Second decussates in the medulla, goes to thalamus
Third nerve up to somatosensory cortex

Question 12

What type of information travels in the spinothalamic tract?

Answer 12

Pain

Temperature

Question 13

What path is taken by nerves conveying pain and temperature?

Answer 13

Spinothalamic tract
First nerve synapses with second in spinal cord
Second goes to thalamus
Third goes to somatosensory cortex

Question 14

What is contained in the limbic system?

Answer 14

Cingulate gyrus
Hippocampal formation
Amygdala

Question 15

What is the function of the limbic system?

Answer 15

Emotion
Memory
Maintain attention to surroundings
Drives feeding and mating behaviour

Question 16

What is the flow of CSF through the ventricular system?

Answer 16

Lateral ventricles
Intraventricular foramen of Monro
3rd ventricle/cavity of diencephalon
Central aqueduct of sylvius
4th ventricle
-Foramina of Magendie
-Foramina of Lushka

Question 17

Cranial Nerve 1

Answer 17

Smell

Question 18

Cranial Nerve 2

Answer 18

Vision

Question 19

Cranial Nerve 3,4,6

Answer 19

Eye movement

Question 20

Cranial Nerve 5

Answer 20

Facial and scalp sensation

Mandibular movements

Question 21

Cranial Nerve 7

Answer 21

Facial expression

Question 22

Cranial Nerve 8

Answer 22

Hearing

Balance

Question 23

Cranial Nerve 9,10

Answer 23

Swallowing

Phonation

Question 24

Cranial Nerve 11

Answer 24

Neck and head movement

Question 25

Cranial Nerve 12

Answer 25

Tongue movement

Question 26

What does the cauda equina activate?

Answer 26

Bladder
Bowel
Sexual organs
Legs

Question 27

What are the signs of Cauda Equina Syndrome?

Answer 27

Lower back pain
Pain radiating down leg
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Weakness, tingling and numbness in saddle region

Question 28

What causes Cauda Equina Syndrome?

Answer 28

Slipped disc
Tumours near spine
Injury