Ch 1 General Neuropathology

Question 1

What is the role of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 1

Conscious perception of sensory input, voluntary control of movement, behavior

Question 2

Name the components of the basal nuclei.

Answer 2

• Caudate nucleus
• Putamen
• Pallidum
• Claustrum

Question 3

What is the function of the septal nuclei?

Answer 3

Part of the limbic system, involved in emotion

Question 4

What is the internal capsule?

Answer 4

A white matter tract connecting from and to the cerebrum

Question 5

What connects the hemispheres ventrally?

Answer 5

Rostral commissure

Question 6

What is the thalamus known for?

Answer 6

Major relay station for all sensory input before projecting to cortex

Question 7

What is the function of the habenula?

Answer 7

Role in circadian rhythm, emotion, and social behavior/movement

Question 8

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Answer 8

Endocrine and vegetative functions

Question 9

What are the major functions of the cerebellar cortex?

Answer 9

Coordination of movement

Question 10

What is the significance of the pyramids in the brainstem?

Answer 10

Motor connections between brain and spinal cord

Question 11

What is the function of astrocytes?

Answer 11

Mediate metabolic exchange between blood and neurons

Question 12

What is the blood-brain barrier (BBB)?

Answer 12

A barrier formed by endothelial cells with tight junctions, protecting the brain

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The _______ produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Answer 13

[Choroid plexus]

Question 14

What is the role of microglia?

Answer 14

Macrophage of the CNS, involved in cleaning up debris

Question 15

What are gemistocytic astrocytes?

Answer 15

Swollen astrocytes with eosinophilic cytoplasm, seen in acute injury

Question 16

What does Wallerian degeneration refer to?

Answer 16

Degeneration of axons/dendrites independent of soma after injury

Question 17

What is central chromatolysis?

Answer 17

Degeneration characterized by dispersal of rough ER and swollen cytoplasm

Question 18

What are Rosenthal fibers?

Answer 18

Rare irregular, hyaline eosinophilic structures formed in astrocytes

Question 19

True or False: Oligodendrocytes myelinate axons in the PNS.

Answer 19

False. Oligodendrocytes myelinate axons in CNS.

Question 20

What is the function of the ependyma?

Answer 20

Lines ventricles and central canal, involved in CSF movement and absorption

Question 21

What is the significance of the choroid plexus?

Answer 21

Produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and contributes to BBB

Question 22

What is the main characteristic of Alzheimer type II astrocytes?

Answer 22

Nucleus enlarged, vesicular, and rounded with visible cytoplasm

Question 23

What is the role of the dura mater?

Answer 23

Surrounds leptomeninges and is adherent to the internal surface of the bone

Question 24

What is meant by ‘vacuolation’ in neuronal injury?

Answer 24

Presence of small vacuoles in neurons, can indicate degeneration

Question 25

What are the features of neuronal necrosis?

Answer 25

* Soma shrunken * Hypereosinophilic * Nuclei pyknotic or lytic

Question 26

What are the major components of the spinal cord's white matter?

Answer 26

* Myelinated axons * Oligodendrocytes * Connective tissue

Question 27

What is the glial limitans?

Answer 27

Impermeable layer surrounding the brain ## Footnote Glial limitans serves as a barrier for substances entering the brain.

Question 28

What is the space between the pia mater and arachnoid mater called?

Answer 28

Subarachnoid space ## Footnote This space contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the main blood supply to the brain.

Question 29

What is the composition of the dura mater?

Answer 29

Dense fibroelastic layer ## Footnote The dura mater adheres to the internal surface of the skull and is suspended in the spinal canal by the denticulate ligament.

Question 30

What is polioencephalomalacia characterized by?

Answer 30

Cortical laminar necrosis ## Footnote It displays a laminar distribution pattern of necrosis in the cerebral cortex.

Question 31

Which neurons are more susceptible to hypoxia/anoxia and hypoglycemia?

Answer 31

Deep neurons ## Footnote These neurons are more vulnerable to damage from low oxygen and glucose levels.

Question 32

How does ischemia affect neurons?

Answer 32

Affects just neurons ## Footnote Ischemia primarily impacts neuronal cells rather than glial cells.

Question 33

What is the relationship between anoxia and astrocytes?

Answer 33

Anoxia may also affect astrocytes ## Footnote Anoxia occurs during events like cardiac arrest or seizures.

Question 34

What is the outermost layer of the cerebellum called?

Answer 34

Molecular layer ## Footnote This layer contains few cells, mainly stellate and basket cells, and mostly unmyelinated fibers.

Question 35

What characterizes the Purkinje cell layer?

Answer 35

Large neuronal cell bodies ## Footnote Purkinje cells have extensive dendrites and send axons into the granular cell layer.

Question 36

What is found in the granular cell layer of the cerebellum?

Answer 36

Numerous smaller neurons ## Footnote Non-myelinated axons from these neurons pass to the molecular layer.

Question 37

What is the hippocampus sensitive to?

Answer 37

Changes in glucose ## Footnote The hippocampus is crucial for memory and is particularly vulnerable to metabolic changes.

Question 38

What types of neurons are present in CA 1 and CA 2 of the hippocampus?

Answer 38

Small pyramidal neurons ## Footnote CA 1 and CA 2 contain smaller pyramidal neurons compared to CA 3 and CA 4.

Question 39

What are the characteristics of the molecular layer in the hippocampus?

Answer 39

Contains axons, dendrites, glial cells, and scattered neurons ## Footnote This layer integrates various inputs and outputs within the hippocampus.

Question 40

What is the dentate gyrus composed of?

Answer 40

Small granule cells ## Footnote The granule cells in the dentate gyrus are similar to the granular cell layer of the cerebellum.