CNS Basics

Question 1

Three key functions of CNS?

Answer 1

Collect - Process - Respond

Question 2

Four sections of brain?

Answer 2

Cerebrum, Diencephalon, Cerebellum, Brain stem

Question 3

Why does the brain benefit from having a folded structure?

Answer 3

More folds = more neurons

Question 4

What does grey matter consist of?

Answer 4

Neuron cell bodies, dendrites, telodendria, synapses

Question 5

What does white matter consist of?

Answer 5

Myelinated axons

Question 6

White and grey matter in telencephalon?

Answer 6

Grey outside, white inside

Question 7

Projection fibres…

Answer 7

Connect HIGHER and LOWER centres e.g. internal capsule

Question 8

Association fibres…

Answer 8

Within ONE hemisphere

Question 9

Commissural fibres…

Answer 9

Connect SIMILAR areas in left and right hemispheres e.g. corpus callosum

Question 10

Five areas of brain + functions?

Answer 10

Frontal = motor, Parietal = somatosensory, Occipital = visual, Temporal = auditory, Insula = gustatory

Question 11

Left vs right hemisphere functions?

Answer 11

Left = speech, language, writing
Right = spacial visualisation and analysis, touch

Question 12

Basal nuclei function?

Answer 12

Involved with movement control…affects Parkinson’s

Question 13

Diencephalon function?

Answer 13

Relay and switching centres for some sensory and motor pathways and for control of visceral activities

Question 14

What two areas are within the diencephalon?

Answer 14

Thamalus and hypothamalus

Question 15

Function of thamalus?

Answer 15

Looks at salience of information and decides whether or not to pass it through, basal nuclei and cerebellum to cortex

Question 16

Function of hypothalamus?

Answer 16

Receives information to maintain homeostasis via control of autonomic + endocrine systems…outputs include neural pathways that control autonomic nervous system and hormonal secretion into bloodstream (endocrine)

Question 17

Function of cerebellum?

Answer 17

Receives information about muscle tone, vestibular, proprioception and the environment, compares/integrates info with movement orders of cerebral cortex and predicts consequences/ adjusts movement commands

Question 18

Three parts of brain stem?

Answer 18

Mid brain, pons and medulla oblongata.

Question 19

Function of brain stem?

Answer 19

Basic behaviours for survival - sensory/motor pathways, consciousness, reflex for respiratory and cardiovascular systems

Question 20

Conus medullaris?

Answer 20

Caudal tip of spinal cord

Question 21

Cauda equina?

Answer 21

Horses tail = sensory and motor nerve roots

Question 22

Filum terminale?

Answer 22

Pia mater = anchors conus medullaris to coccyx

Question 23

White and grey matter organisation in spinal cord?

Answer 23

Opposite - grey inside, white outside

Question 24

Columns and horns and role?

Answer 24

Dorsal (sensory, Lateral (autonomic), Ventral (motor)

Question 25

Enlargements in cervical spinal cord?

Answer 25

More neurons = larger cross section area, upper + lower limb operation

Question 26

Meninges of brain and functions?

Answer 26

Dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater…limit movement of brain, protective, space for CBS fluid and blood vessels

Question 27

Dura mater?

Answer 27

2 layers - meningeal and periosteal, tough and fibrous

Question 28

Arachnoid mater?

Answer 28

Translucent spider web membrane

Question 29

Pia mater?

Answer 29

Very thin delicate membrane

Question 30

Functions of cerebrospinal fluid?

Answer 30

Support and cushion CNS, maintain environment, distribute hormones/transmitters