2.2 The Transverse Sections of the Brain

Question 1

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Diencephalon, what Fissure can be seen at the Superior-most part of the Transverse Section of the Brain?

Answer 1

The Median Longitudinal Fissure

Question 2

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Diencephalon, which parts of the Lateral Ventricles can be seen?

Answer 2

1. The Anterior Horn

2. The Posterior Horn

Question 3

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Diencephalon, what other part of the Ventricular System can be seen?

Answer 3

The 3rd Ventricle (III Ventricle)

Question 4

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Diencephalon, what parts of the Diencephalon can be viewed in both Hemispheres?

Answer 4

1. The Caudate Nucleus
2. The Thalamus
3. The Internal Capsule
4. The Lentiform Nucleus

Question 5

What forms the Lentiform Nucleus?

Answer 5

Superficially - The Putamen

Deeply - The Globus Pallidus

Question 6

Which 2 structures of the Diencephalon form the Basal Ganglia Nuclei?

Answer 6

1. The Caudate Nucleus

2. The Lentiform Nucleus

Question 7

What is the function of the Basal Ganglia?

Answer 7

1. Motor Control (Primarily)
2. Motor Learning
3. Executive Functions (Mental Skills which help you get things done)
4. Behaviors/Emotions

Question 8

What is the Internal Capsule made up of?

Answer 8

Myelinated Axons (White Matter)

Question 9

What are the 3 parts of the Internal Capsule?

Answer 9

1. The Anterior Limb
2. The Genu
3. The Posterior Limb

Question 10

What is the name given to fibers which connect the Cerebral Hemispheres to different parts of the Brain?

Answer 10

Projection Fibers

Question 11

Which structure of the Diencephalon is Anterior-most?

Answer 11

The Caudate Nucleus

Question 12

Which structure of the Diencephalon is Lateral-most?

Answer 12

The Lentiform Nucleus

Putamen of the Lentiform Nucleus

Question 13

Which structure of the Deincephalon is Posterior-most?

Answer 13

The Thalamus

Question 14

Which structure separates the Nuclei of the Diencephalon and the Thalamus?

Answer 14

The Internal Capsule

Question 15

Which Cerebral Artery, through one of it’s branches, supplies the Internal Capsule?

Answer 15

The Lenticulo-striate branch of the Middle Cerebral Artery

Question 16

What is the Substantia Nigra a part of:

a) Structurally?
b) Functionally?

Answer 16

a) The Midbrain

b) The Basal Ganglia

Question 17

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Midbrain, where is the Red Nucleus in relation to the Substantia Nigra?

Answer 17

Posterior

Question 18

What is the function of the Red Nucleus?

Answer 18

It is involved in Motor Coordination, but not as much as the Cerebellum (Rubrospinal Tract)

Question 19

What fibers do the Cerebral Peduncles contain?

Answer 19

Both Motor and Sensory Fibers in large tracts

Question 20

What Cranial Nerve Nuclei are found in the Midbrain?

Answer 20

The Occulomotor Nucleus for the Occulomotor Nerve (Cranial Nerve III) and the Trochlear Nerve (Cranial Nerve IV)

Question 21

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Midbrain, where can the Occulomotor Nucleus be found?

Answer 21

Posterior to the Red Nucleus

Question 22

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Midbrain, what structure is Posterior-most?

Answer 22

The Cerebellar Peduncles

Question 23

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Midbrain, where are the Spinothalamic tracts, and Medial Lemniscus found?

Answer 23

Posterolaterally

Question 24

What information does the Spinothalamic Tracts carry?

Answer 24

Sensory information

Question 25

What is the Medial Lemniscus involved in?

Answer 25

The Crossing-Over of Sensory information

Question 26

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Midbrain, which part of the Ventricular System can be seen?

Answer 26

The Cerebral Aqueduct, through the middle of the Midbrain

Question 27

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Pons, which structures are found most anteriorly?

Answer 27

1. The Pontine Nuclei | 2. The Pyramidal Motor Tracts

Question 28

What are the Pontine Nuclei involved in?

Answer 28

Motor Activity

Question 29

What is immediately posterior to the Pontine Nuclei and Pyramidal Motor Tracts?

Answer 29

The Medial Lemniscus

Question 30

What is immediately posterior to the Medial Lemniscus?

Answer 30

The Nuclei of the Reticular Formation

Question 31

What are the Nuclei of the Reticular Formation responsible for?

Answer 31

1. State of Consciousness (Sleep Wake Cycle) from the Reticular Activating System (Ascending) 2. Posture, Equilibrium and Autonomic Nervous functioning from the Descending Reticular Formation

Question 32

What Cranial Nerve Nuclei are found in the Pons?

Answer 32

The Cranial Nerve Nuclei for the Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve V) and the Abducen Nerve (Cranial Nerve VI)

Question 33

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Pons, what is the Lateral-most structure?

Answer 33

The Middle Cerebellar Peduncles

Question 34

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Pons, which part of the Ventricular System can be seen?

Answer 34

The 4th Ventricle (IV Ventricle)

Question 35

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what forms the Pyramidal Tracts?

Answer 35

Motor Fibres

Question 36

Where do the Motor Fibers cross over?

Answer 36

At the Decussation of the Pyramids

Question 37

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what forms the Olive?

Answer 37

The Olivary Nucleus

Question 38

What is the Olivary Nucleus responsible for?

Answer 38

Superior Olivary Nucleus - Perception of Sound (Auditory System) Inferior Olivary Nucleus - Cerebellar Motor Learning and Funtion

Question 39

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what lies immediately posterior to the Pyramids?

Answer 39

The Medial Lemniscus

Question 40

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what lies immediately posterior to the Medial Lemniscus?

Answer 40

The Nuclei of the Reticular Formation

Question 41

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what lies immediately posterior to the Nuclei of the Reticular Formation?

Answer 41

The Cranial Nerve Nuclei

Question 42

Which Cranial Nerves Nuclei are in the Medulla?

Answer 42

1. The Glossopharyngeal Nerve (Cranial Nerve IX) 2. The Vagus Nerve (Cranial Nerve X) 3. The Accessory Nerve (Cranial Nerve XI) 4. The Hypoglossal Nerve (Cranial Nerve XII)

Question 43

Where are the Cranial Nerve Nuclei for the Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII) and the Vestibulocochlear Nerve (Cranial Nerve VIII)?

Answer 43

These are found in the Border of the Pons and the Medulla

Question 44

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what is the Posterolateral-most structure?

Answer 44

The Inferior Peduncles

Question 45

On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, which part of the Ventricular System can be seen?

Answer 45

The 4th Ventricle (IV Ventricle)