Brain II

Question 1

what marks the location of the visual cortex

Answer 1

calcarine suture

Question 2

function of the corpus callosum

Answer 2

to join the two cerebral hemispheres

Question 3

what is the corpus callosum formed from

Answer 3

myelinated axons thus white matter

Question 4

how is the corpus callosum subdivided

Answer 4

genu anteriorly, splenium posteriorly which are connected by a body

Question 5

what does the internal capsule contain

Answer 5

contains fibres running from thalamus to cortex and cortex to thalamus, brainstem and spinal cord

Question 6

what tract runs through the internal capsule

Answer 6

the corticospinal tract

Question 7

function of basal ganglia / nuclei

Answer 7

primarily involved in motor control

Question 8

5 basal nuclei are

Answer 8

1. caudate nucleus
2. putamen
3. globus pallidus
4. subthalamic nucleus
5. substantia nigra

Question 9

what forms the lentiform nucleus

Answer 9

caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus

Question 10

how are basal nuclei involved in motor control

Answer 10

they project neurons into the thalamus which is involved in relying information to the cerebral cortex

Question 11

where is the hypothalamus in relation to the thalamus

Answer 11

it sits inferior and anterior to the thalamus

Question 12

function of the hypothalamus

Answer 12

maintains homeostasis by controlling release of hormones from the pituitary gland

Question 13

where is the pituitary gland found

Answer 13

in the pituitary fossa in the middle cranial fossa and sella turcica

Question 14

what 4 hormones are released from the pituitary

Answer 14

• growth hormone
• thyroid stimulating hormone
• follicle stimulating hormone
• adrenocorticotrophic hormone

Question 15

acromegaly

Answer 15

caused by overproduction of growth hormone in the pituitary

Question 16

ventricular system of the brain consists of

Answer 16

2 lateral ventricles and the midline 3rd and 4th ventricles

Question 17

what connects the 3rd and 4th ventricles

Answer 17

cerebral aqueduct

Question 18

where are the 2 lateral ventricles found

Answer 18

1 in each hemisphere

Question 19

what separates the 2 lateral ventricles

Answer 19

thin septum pellucidum

Question 20

how do the lateral ventricles connect to the 3rd ventricle

Answer 20

by interventricular foramen

Question 21

what releases CSF

Answer 21

choroid plexuses of the ventricles

Question 22

where does the CSF go

Answer 22

it fills the ventricles and subarachnoid space of the brain (which is continuous with the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord)

Question 23

role of CSF

Answer 23

protection via buoyancy to prevent weight of brain compressing the spinal nerve roots etc

Question 24

where is the brainstem found

Answer 24

in the posterior cranial fossa

Question 25

what connection does the brainstem form

Answer 25

the connection between the forebrain and spinal cord

Question 26

what are the 3 parts of the brainstem

Answer 26

1. midbrain
2. pons
3. medulla oblongata

Question 27

where does the spinal cord begin and end

Answer 27

begins at foramen magnum
ends at L1/L2

Question 28

anterior horns of the spinal cord are

Answer 28

efferent motor

Question 29

posterior horns of the spinal cord are

Answer 29

afferent sensory

Question 30

rootlets converge to form 2 roots:

Answer 30

ventral (motor efferent)
dorsal (sensory afferent)

Question 31

the roots converge to form

Answer 31

a spinal nerve (mixed - motor & sensory)

Question 32

how do spinal nerves divide

Answer 32

into ventral and dorsal rami (mixed - motor & sensory)

Question 33

when do the spinal nerves divide

Answer 33

after exiting from the intervertebral foramen of the vertebral column

Question 34

which anterior / posterior; dorsal / ventral

Answer 34

dorsal = posterior
ventral = anterior

Question 35

spinal dura mater is

Answer 35

continuous with inner meningeal layer of cranial dura mater at the foramen magnum

Question 36

myotome

Answer 36

unilateral mass of muscle supplied by a single spinal nerve

Question 37

dermatome

Answer 37

unilateral area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve (left, right or pair of)

Question 38

why does C1 have no dermatome

Answer 38

it lacks significant afferent component and does not supply the skin

Question 39

extra -dural haemorrhage

Answer 39

rupture of middle meningeal artery causing a haematoma which over hours leads to loss of consciousness

Question 40

cause of extra-dural haemorrhage

Answer 40

small skull fracture tearing the artery

Question 41

sub-dural haemorrhage

Answer 41

cerebral veins break away from superior sagittal sinus causing blood to build up in the dura mater and arachnoid mater space

Question 42

sub-arachnoid hamorrhage

Answer 42

where a cerebral artery aneurysm ruptures causing blood to enter CSF. consciousness is lost fast.

Question 43

dura mater

Answer 43

outside meninge of cranial cavity. tough layer made of collagen

Question 44

arachnoid granulations / villi

Answer 44

white fluffy granulations present on dura mater that drain CSF from subarachnoid space to superior sagittal sinus

Question 45

what is the falx cerebri

Answer 45

sickle shaped arched fold of dura mater

Question 46

function of falx cerebri

Answer 46

separate the 2 hemispheres of the brain and along with CSF helps cushion the brain

Question 47

superior sagittal sinus

Answer 47

runs through flax cerebri and is the venous drainage of the brain. larger posteriorly than it is anteriorly

Question 48

pia mater

Answer 48

highly vascular layer on surface of brain

Question 49

what cranial nerves are present in the cavernous sinus

Answer 49

CN III, IV, V1, V2, VI