CENTRAL Nervous System

Question 1

Cranial meninges divisions (use mnemonic)

Answer 1

PAD the brain
Inner - Pia mater –> glossy surface (extends into grooves)
Middle - Arachnoid mater –> looks like spiderweb
Outer - Dura mater –> thicker layer of tissue

Question 2

Largest division of the brain

Answer 2

Cerebrum

Question 3

Small part of brain

Answer 3

Cerebellum

Question 4

What + where is the grey matter in the BRAIN

Answer 4

Grey matter - outermost layer
Cerebral CORTEX

Question 5

Features of Cerebrum (grooves & bumps)

Answer 5

Gyri - elevated ridges –> think gyros
Sulci - shallow grooves dividing gyri
Fissures - deep grooves dividing lobes/regions

Question 6

Important sulci

Answer 6

Central sulcus - divides pre- & post-central gyrus
Lateral sulcus -

Question 7

Function of pre- & post-central gyri

Answer 7

• Pre-central gyrus (ant.) - primary MOTOR cortex
• Post-central gyrus - primary SOMATOSENSORY cotext
  ‘post’ has an ‘s’ –> sensory

Question 8

Functions of the pre- & post-central gyri

Answer 8

• Pre-central gryus - primary Motor cortex
• Post-central gyrus - primary somatosensory cortex
  post has an ‘s’ –> sensory

Question 9

Sulci - important divisions

Answer 9

Central sulcus - divides frontal lobe from parietal lobes
* specifically, dividing pre- & post-central gryi

Lateral sulcus/Fissure - divides temporal lobe from parietal & frontal lobes

Question 10

Fissure that divides cerebral hemispheres

Answer 10

Longitudinal fissure

Question 11

Fissure that divides cerebrum from cerebellum

Answer 11

Transverse fissure

Question 12

Cerebral lobes (+ functions)

Answer 12

• Frontal - motor skills (decision-making)
  —–> car motor at front
• Parietal - senses
• Temporal - hearing, memory
  —–> close to ears + elephant memory
• Occipital - vision
  —–> eyes on back of head
• *Insular lobe - deep - consciousness

Question 13

was in the mock spot test

‘C’-shaped structure that connects the cerebral hemispheres

Answer 13

Corpus callosum

Question 14

Diencephalon structures

Answer 14

Thalamus
Hypothalamus (lies below thalamus)

Question 15

Major divisions of brain stem

Answer 15

Midbrain (superior)
Pons
Medulla (inferior) –> continues as spinal cord

Question 16

Brainstem function

Answer 16

regulates autonomic functions

Question 17

Enlargements of the spinal cord

Answer 17

Cervical enlargement (accounts for brachial plexus)
Lumbar enlargement (accounts for lumbosacral plexus)

Question 18

Termination of spinal cord

Answer 18

conus medullaris (at ~L2)
Note: looks like upside down cone

Question 19

what does the Spinal cord continue as

Answer 19

cauda equina (from ~L2 onwards)

Question 20

Location of grey & white matter in SPINAL CORD

Answer 20

In the spinal cord,
White matter - outermost layer
Grey matter - inner layer

Question 21

nerve in anterior neck

Answer 21

vagus nerve (cn V)

Question 22

What is the Arterial blood supply to brain (+ what arteries forms this structure)

Answer 22

Circle of Willis
- vertebral arteries (20%)
- internal carotid arteries (80%)

Question 23

Cerebral arteries of circle of willis

Answer 23

• Ant. cereberal a. - supplies pre&post central gyri
• Middle cerebral a. - predominate brain supply (most common occlusion –> stroke)
• Post. cerebral a. -

Question 24

Circle of willis function

Answer 24

Provides collateral arterial supply to brain
- preventing ischemia/stroke in the case of vessel damage/disease

Question 25

When does the medulla become the spinal cord

Answer 25

once brain stem exits foramen magnum

Question 26

Distinguishing factor of central sulcus

Answer 26

goes all the way to longitudinal fissure (look at medial side if possible)

Question 27

what structure separates cerebrum & cerebellum

Answer 27

tentorium cerebelli