Central nervous system

Question 1

What is the diencephalon composed of?

Answer 1

The thalamus and hypothalamus

Question 2

What are the 4 main lobes in the brain and what is their function?

Answer 2

Frontal - Regulating and initiating motor function, language, cognitive functions
Parietal - Sensation, sensory aspects of language, spatial orientation, self perception
Temporal - Processing auditory information
Occipital - Processing visual information

Question 3

What does the limic lobe compose of and what is its function?

Answer 3

Contains:
Amygdala, hippocampus, mamillary body and cingulate gyrus
Function:
Learning, memory, emotion, motivation and reward

Question 4

What is the insular cortex’s function?

Answer 4

Visceral sensation, autonomic control, interoception, auditory processing, visual vestibular integration

Question 5

What are the 3 layers of the meninges and their characteristics?

Answer 5

Dura - thick, 2 layers:
Periosteal - layer or periosteum
Meningeal - durable, dense fibrous membrane
Arachnoid - thin, transparent, fibrous membrane
Pia - thin, translucent & mesh like

Question 6

Where is the CSF produced and found?

Answer 6

Produced in the choroid plexus of the lateral, 3rd and 4th ventricles
Occupies ventricular system in brain and sub-arachnoid space and spine

Question 7

Where is CSF reabsorbed?

Answer 7

In the arachnoid villi into the superior sagittal sinus

Question 8

What are the different regions of the spine?

Answer 8

Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral, Coccygeal

Question 9

How many of each type of vertebrae are there?

Answer 9

Cervical - 7
Thoracic - 12
Lumbar - 5
Sacral - 5
Coccygeal - 1

Question 10

Where do the spinal nerves C1-C7 emerge?

Answer 10

Above the corresponding vertebrae

Question 11

Where do the spinal nerves C8-Co1 emerge?

Answer 11

Below the corresponding vertebrae, with spinal nerve C8 coming out underneath vertebrae C7

Question 12

What is the major pathway for voluntary movement?

Answer 12

The corticospinal tract

Question 13

What is the corticospinal tract comprised of?

Answer 13

Upper motor neurons in the primary motor cortex, lower neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord

Question 14

What are the major pathways for sensation?

Answer 14

The dorsal column pathway and the spinothalamic tract

Question 15

What is the dorsal column pathway used to detect?

Answer 15

Fine touch, vibration and proprioception

Question 16

What is the spinothalamic tract used to detect?

Answer 16

Pain, temperature and crude touch, all from the skin

Question 17

What is the difference between an upper motor neuron and a lower motor neuron

Answer 17

Upper motor neuron - Nerve cell body in the brain

Lower motor neuron - Nerve cell body in brainstem or spine

Question 18

What is decussation?

Answer 18

When nerve fibres cross over to the opposite side of the body in comparison to the hemisphere they originate from

Question 19

What is the meaning of contrilateral and ipsilateral?

Answer 19

Contrilateral - Nerve fibre dessucates to opposite side of the body
Ipsilateral - Nerve fibre remains on teh same side of teh body, no crossing over

Question 20

What is the corticobulbar tract?

Answer 20

The pathway for voluntary movement for facial muscles, nerve goes from cortex -> brainstem -> facial muscles