final exam Flashcards
This is a collection of cell bodies found in the peripheral nervous system.
ganglia
This part of the autonomic system increases digestion.
parasympathetic
The ventral root of a nerve contains what type of neurons?
motor: efferent
This part of a neuron conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body.
axon
An interneuron inside the spinal cord is part of the: A. Peripheral nervous system B. Somatic system C. Autonomic system D. Central nervous system E. A&C F. B&D
D. central nervous system
True or false: Neurons do not physically touch one another.
T
Describe the function and release of neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemicals stored inside secretory vesicles (axon terminal vesicles) at the end of the axon terminals.
When neurotransmitters are released by the axon terminal vesicles, they carry the transmission of the nerve impulse from one neuron to another.
An efferent neuron carries information:
from the central to the peripheral nervous system
A postsynaptic neuron would be found:
after the synapse
What is the location and function of Satellite cells?
Location: Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Function: Regulation of environment of neuron cell bodies
A patient’s left thumb was severed in a cooking accident and then reattached during surgery. Would the patient be expected to regrow axons in their thumb? Why or why not?
Yes; Peripheral nerves can regenerate the length of the axon through axonal regeneration because of the growth of Schwann cells ahead of the axon.
At rest, a neuron plasma membrane is
polarized
Which of the following is false concerning the sodium-potassium pump?
It maintains the resting phase of an axon.
For every three sodium ions pumped out, two potassium ions are pumped in.
It must remain in constant operation to maintain the resting state.
The overall effect is a negative charge on the outside of the membrane.
The overall effect is a negative charge on the outside of the membrane
True or false: A sensory neuron is signaling the body of extreme pain. This means that the strength of the action potential is greater than usual. Explain your reasoning.
False
There is no variation in the strength of action potentials. (It is an all-or-nothing response). There is variation in the number and frequency of neurons firing.
Which of the following statements is true concerning the neuromuscular junction?
The NMJ terminates on neurons within the brain and spinal cord.
The NMJ terminates on a muscle fiber.
The NMJ terminates on a presynaptic motor neuron.
The NMJ does not have a synapse.
The NMJ terminates on a muscle fiber
How is a message sent from one neuron to another?
There is a minute fluid-filled space, called a synapse, between the axon terminal of the sending neuron and the dendrite of the receiving neuron. When a nerve impulse reaches the end of an axon, neurotransmitters are released into the synapse. These bind with a receptor on the next neuron, opening Na+ gates in the receiving dendrite which causes depolarization and the impulse is carried.
What neurotransmitter is found at the neuromuscular junctions?
acetylocholine
True or False: Action potentials travel in one direction within the same neuron.
T
True or False: Reflexes occur slower than a conscious decision to move from the brain.
F
Fill in the blank: In a reflex, the ____________ neuron conducts nerve impulses along a pathway to create a response.
motor
Where is the integration center of a reflex located?
CNS
Which of the following statements is false about reflexes?
Reflexes do not require higher levels of voluntary processing from the brain.
Regulation of blood sugar by hormones is one example of a reflex.
Some reflexes can be tested to determine injury.
Pulling a hand away from a hot flame is not a reflex; it is entirely voluntary.
pulling a hand away from a hot flame is not a reflex: it is entirely voluntary
What is false about the stretch reflex?
The effect of the motor signal is to relax a muscle.
The patellar reflex tests the stretch reflex of the quadriceps femoris.
The muscle spindle detects stretch within the muscle.
Stretch reflexes help to decrease the stretch on a muscle.
the effect of the motor signal is to relax a muscle
What is false about the flexor withdrawal reflex?
A. It does not involve interneurons.
B. It involves excitatory interneurons.
C. It involves inhibitory interneurons.
D. The effect of the reflex is to create a co-contraction of two muscles
E. A&D
F. B&C
E
You touch a hot pan when cooking. List out the steps, in detail, of the nervous pathway of the reflex that occurs. Include any sensory organs involved and the action of the reflex.
Flexor withdrawal reflex:
Pain receptor in skin
Sensory (afferent) neuron through DRG
Interneurons in spinal cord:
(1) Excitatory to biceps
(2) Inhibitory to triceps
Motor neurons: Contract biceps, inhibit triceps
Action: Elbow flexion pulls hand away from flame.
Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease which attacks the myelin sheath of the nerve axon. Patients with this disease may experience difficulty using the muscles of their arms and legs. Explain why this would occur.
Myelin increases nerve conduction speed and protects the nerve. If the myelin is damaged, the conduction speed would be slower than normal, and the nerve axon itself would be vulnerable to permanent damage without the myelin present for protection.
This is the most superficial layer of the brain meninges.
Dura mater (menix)
The _______ fissure separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
median longitudinal
Describe the function of the brain ventricles.
There are four ventricles in the interior of the brain, chambers filled with cerebrospinal fluid which is produced there. Once formed the CSF circulates through the ventricles and into the subarachnoid space bathing and floating the brain.
All the following are functions of the hypothalamus except:
Regulates sleep
Links the nervous and endocrine systems
Filters out unimportant sensory information
Regulates water balance
Filters out unimportant sensory information
This ventricle is located anterior to the cerebellum.
Lateral
Medial
Third
Fourth
Fourth
This region of the brain controls decision making skills. Frontal lobe Cerebellum Occipital lobe Temporal lobe Primary sensory cortex
Frontal
A patient is having difficulty understanding language but is still able to speak fluently. The patient’s dermatomes are intact. Which area of the brain is most likely damaged? Broca’s area Wernicke’s area Occipital lobe Parietal lobe Primary sensory cortex
Wernicke’s Area
Describe how memories are stored and retrieved in the brain. Include a specific brain region.
Memories are not stored in one specific area within the brain but instead are stored throughout the cerebral hemispheres. The hippocampus acts as a memory center to help with memory storage and retrieval. The involvement of the limbic system explains why emotionally charged events result in our most vivid memories.
Which statement is false concerning the brainstem?
The midbrain portion of the brainstem is continuous with the spinal cord.
The pons helps to regulate breathing.
The midbrain contains the superior and inferior colliculi.
The medulla contains reflex centers to regulate vasoconstriction.
The midbrain portion of the brainstem is continuous with the spinal cord
Which of the following is true concerning the cerebellum?
The gray matter is internal while the white mater is external.
The cerebellum works to plan body movements by relaying information spinal cord.
The anterior lobe receives information from the body trunk.
The vermis coordinates the trunk and shoulder movements.
The anterior lobe receives information from the body trunk
Which of the following is most likely a symptom of ALS? Impaired ability to swallow Decreased sensation in the hands Shrinkage of cerebral cortex Increased size of brain ventricles All the above
Impaired ability to swallow
Which of the following is true concerning a CVA?
An ischemic stroke is also known as a “brain bleed”.
A TIA is a form of hemorrhagic stroke.
Stroke survivors never regain any lost function.
A hemorrhagic stroke is due to a broken blood vessel.
A hemorrhagic stroke is due to a broken blood vessel
A patient has decreased hand strength in her right hand. She also has numbness in her first three digits. What is most likely the cause?
Spinal cord injury
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Ulnar nerve damage
CVA in the parietal lobe
Carpal Tunnel syndrome
The maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve:
receives sensory information from the eyebrows
receives sensory information from the upper lip and upper gums
is a mixed sensory and motor branch
controls the muscles of mastication
receives sensory information from the upper lip and upper gums
The sacral plexus is formed from spinal nerves: L04- S04 T12-L04 C01-C05 L01-S01
L4-S4
A patient is on a ventilator post a car accident. What region of the spine is most likely damaged? L01-L05 S01-S05 T01-T12 C03-C05
C3-C5
A patient is not able to extend his left wrist or fingers. What nerve is most likely damaged? Ulnar Axillary Radial Median
Radial
A patient sustained damage to their femoral nerve. What is most likely limited? Sensation over the medial thigh Sensation over posterior thigh Hip flexion, knee extension Hip extension, Knee flexion
Hip flexion, knee extension
Which of the following is true concerning the brachial plexus?
Roots are located furthest from the spinal cord.
There are anterior and posterior divisions.
Divisions branch next into two cords: anterior and posterior.
The posterior cord forms the median nerve.
There are anterior and posterior divisions
These contain the ganglia for the sympathetic nervous system that controls the effector organs in the trunk, head and limbs. Sympathetic trunk ganglia Celiac ganglion Superiomesenteric ganglion Inferior mesenteric ganglion Ciliary ganglion
sympathetic trunk ganglia
Which of the following is false concerning the parasympathetic nervous system?
Primarily contains cholinergic synapses.
It is also called the craniosacral division.
Acts to increase the heart rate.
Promotes the digestion of foods.
acts to increase the heart rate
A patient comes into the ER following an accident. She is scared and starting to hyperventilate. You talk with her in a calm, reassuring manner as she receives medical care. You are trying to increase the activity in which division of her nervous system? Explain your answer.
You are trying to increase the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system as it is also sometimes called the “housekeeper system” because it promotes all the internal responses we associate with a relaxed state. The parasympathetic system also acts to slow the heart rate.
One of your patients sustained a hemorrhagic CVA. You notice they have rigid movements when moving their arms. They also have difficulty forming a plan to move their body. What area of the brain is most likely impacted? Explain your reasoning.
The basal ganglia is responsible for executing a motor plan and to slow and control fine movements (creating the rigid movements).
Apraxia, or impaired motor planning. Apraxia results in rigid movements and difficulty executing a motor plan.
What senses contain specialized receptor cells via specialized somatic and visceral afferents? Smell Touch Equilibrium A&C
A & C
The outer fibrous layer of the eye includes the: Sclera and cornea Ciliary body and iris Pupil and retina Lens and vitreous fluid
Sclera and cornea
The middle layer of the eye includes which regions? Aqueous humor and cornea Ciliary body and iris Cones and rods Optic nerve and retina
Ciliary body and iris
True or false: Cones operate best in dim light.
True
False
False
What is the correct order of how light passes through the eye?
Cornea, Lens, pupil, retina
Cornea, lens, vitreous fluid, retina
Vitreous fluid fills the space posterior to the lens
Lens, retina, cornea, optic nerve
Lens, vitreous fluid, optic nerve, retina
Cornea, lens, vitreous fluid, retina
A patient is found to have blindness of the right visual field of both eyes. What part of the vision pathway was most likely damaged? Explain your response.
A. Left optic nerve
B. Right optic nerve
C. Left LGN
D. Right LGN
C
All the sensory information from the right visual fields travels together after the optic chiasm to the left side of the brain.
A patient is found to have blindness in the right eye. What part of the vision pathway was most likely damaged? Explain your response.
A. Optic chiasm
B. Occipital lobe
C. Left optic nerve
D. Right optic nerve
D
Information from the right visual field has not yet crossed at the optic chiasm. Both peripheral and nasal fields of the right eye would be missing.
True or False: All sensory information from the optic nerves cross at the optic chiasm.
True
False
False
The \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is controlled by the abducens nerve. Superior rectus Medial rectus Lateral rectus Superior oblique
Lateral rectus
Your elderly patient is discussing her vision problems. She describes her vision as blurry. Following a visual examination, her left eye deviates medially when looking straight ahead. What is most likely causing the vision problem? Explain your reasoning.
A. Cataracts B. Abducens nerve damage C. Brain tumor in the occipital lobe D. Medial rectus damage E. Superior rectus damage
B
The abducens nerve controls the lateral rectus. Damage to the lateral rectus would cause there to be a muscle imbalance, and the medial rectus would pull the eye medially when looking straight ahead, causing blurry vision. (Diplopia)
Which of the following statements is true regarding the external ear?
The lobule contains cartilage.
The auricle funnels sound into the external acoustic meatus.
The helix does not contain cartilage.
The external acoustic meatus travels through the parietal bone.
The auricle funnels sound into the external acoustic meatus
Which of the following statements is false regarding the middle ear?
The malleus receives vibrations from the eardrum.
It is filled with air.
It contains three small bones.
The stapes receives vibrations from the cochlea.
The stapes receives vibrations from the cochlea
Which of the following statements is true regarding the inner ear?
The organ of Corti is responsible for the body’s auditory sense.
It is filled with air.
The cochlea is responsible for the body’s vestibular sense.
There are two semicircular canals which house sensory receptors.
The organ of Corti is responsible for the body’s auditory sense
True or False: Olfaction is a mechanical sense activated by mechanoreceptors in the nasal mucous membranes.
True
False
False
Which of the following is not one of the primary odors in humans? Camphorates Musky Peppermint Putrid Umami
Umami
A person cannot perceive tastes from the anterior portion of the tongue. What nerve is most likely damaged?
Facial (CN VII)
The tongue helps form food into a compact mass called a \_\_\_\_\_. Papillae Gustatory cell Taste Bud Bolus
Bolus