Basic Topography And Development Of The Nervous System

Question 1

What is grey matter composed of?

Answer 1

Predominantly cell bodies and dendrites (although does contain some axons)

Question 2

Is the cauda equina part of the CNS or PNS?

Answer 2

Part of the PNS, despite being in the vertebral column.

Question 3

Of the ventral and dorsal horns, which contains motor and which contains sensory?

Answer 3

Sensory neurones come into the dorsal horn.

Motor neurones go out of the ventral horn.

Question 4

What are Rexed’s laminae?

Answer 4

Organised columns within the grey matter.

Question 5

What is white matter composed of?

Answer 5

Predominantly of axons (has no cell bodies).

Question 6

What 3 components is white matter organised into?

Answer 6

Funiculi, tracts and fasciculi.

Question 7

What is a funiculus?

Answer 7

Segment of white matter containing multiple tracts that travel in multiple directions.

Question 8

What is a tract?

Answer 8

White matter pathway connecting 2 distinct regions of grey matter, impulses only travel in 1 direction i.e. Ascending or descending.

Question 9

What is a fasiculus?

Answer 9

Subdivision of a tract that supplies a distinct area of the body.

Question 10

What are the 3 parts of the brainstem?

Answer 10

Midbrain, pons and medulla.

Question 11

Is the cerebral cortex grey matter or white matter?

Answer 11

Grey matter.

Question 12

What are association fibres?

Answer 12

Connect cortical fibres within the same hemisphere.

Question 13

What are commissural fibres?

Answer 13

Connect L + R hemispheres, or cord halves.

Question 14

What are projection fibres?

Answer 14

Connect cerebral hemispheres with the cord/brainstem and vice versa.

Question 15

Where is the primary motor cortex situated?

Answer 15

The pre-central gyrus.

Question 16

Where is the primary sensory cortex located?

Answer 16

The post-central gyrus.

Question 17

What embryological layer is the CNS derived from?

Answer 17

Ectoderm.

Question 18

CSF is produced by what cells?

Answer 18

Choroid plexus cells.

Question 19

What is the name of the connection between 3rd and 4th ventricles?

Answer 19

Aqueduct.

Question 20

Where does CSF drain into after it has passed through the ventricles?

Answer 20

Subarachnoid space.

Question 21

What can a folate deficiency lead to?

Answer 21

Neural tube defects.

Question 22

What might a raised maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein indicate?

Answer 22

May indicate a neural tube defect. This protein is normally retained inside the foetus, but can leak out due to a defect.

Question 23

What is the highest level of nerve roots contained in the cauda equina?

Answer 23

L2.