Intro to neuroanatomy

Question 1

What does white matter in the nervous system contain?

Answer 1

Axons

Question 2

What does grey matter in the nervous system contain?

Answer 2

Cell bodies of neurons

Question 3

Where is grey matter found in the nervous system?

Answer 3

On the outside surface of the brain and on the inside of the spinal cord

Question 4

What are glial cells?

Answer 4

Support cells of the nervous system (not neurons)

Question 5

Give examples of glial cells?

Answer 5

• Astrocytes
• Oligodendrocyte
• Microglia

Question 6

What are the ventricles of the CNS?

Answer 6

• Lateral ventricle: Cerebral hemisphere
• 3rd ventricle: Diencephalon
• 4th ventricle: Brain stem
• Central canal: Spinal cord

Question 7

Where are the ganglia located?

Answer 7

Sympathetic - CNS

Parasympathetic - PNS

Question 8

Where is CSF produced?

Answer 8

Choriod plexus

Question 9

What cells can produce CSF?

Answer 9

Ependymal cells

Question 10

What are the sections of the brain?

Answer 10

• Cerebrum
• Diencephalon
• Brain stem
• Cerebellum

Question 11

What are the lobes of the cerebrum?

Answer 11

• Frontal lobe
• Parietal lobe
• Occipital lobe
• Temporal lobe

Question 12

What are the infoldings of the cerebral hemispheres called?

Answer 12

Sulci

Question 13

What are the ridges of the cerebrum called?

Answer 13

Gyri

Question 14

What are the 12 cranial nerves?

Answer 14

I - Olfactory 
II - Optic 
III - Oculomotor 
IV - Trochlear
V - Trigeminal 
VI - Abducens 
VII - Fascial
VIII - Vestibulocochlear 
IX - Glossopharyngeal 
X - Vagus 
XI - (Spinal) Accessory 
XII - Hypoglossal

Question 15

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 15

31

Question 16

How can the diencephalon be divided?

Answer 16

Thalamus and hypothalamus

Question 17

What does the brain stem contain?

Answer 17

• Midbrain
• Pons
• Medulla

Question 18

What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 18

Major relay station for:

• Sensory impulses ascending to sensory cortex
• Inputs from subcortical motor nuclei and cerebellum travelling to the cerebral motor cortex

Question 19

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Answer 19

Important autonomic control centre

• Maintains water balance, regulates thirst, eating behaviour, GI activity, body temperature
• Activity of anterior pituitary gland
• Encloses 3rd ventricle

Question 20

What does the midbrain contain?

Answer 20

• Superior and inferior colliculi (visual and auditory reflex centres)
• Red nucleus (subcortical motor centre)
• Substantia nigra (involved in reward-seeking, motor learning and others)
• Surrounds cerebral aqueduct

Question 21

What is the function of the pons?

Answer 21

• Conduction area (connections between forebrain and cerebellum)
• Nuclei contribute to regulation of respiration as well as hearing and balance

Question 22

What is the function of the medulla oblongata?

Answer 22

• Pyramidal decussation (crossing of corticospinal axons) before entering SC
• Vital centres regulating: respiratory rhyth, HR, BP
• Non-vital centres regulating: cough, sneeze, swallowing and vomitting

Question 23

How does the cerebellum connect to the brain stem?

Answer 23

BY superior, middle and inferior cerebellar peduncles

Question 24

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 24

Processes and interprets impulses from motor cortex and sensory pathways and coordinates motor activity for smooth, well-timed movements - important for balance

Question 25

Where does the spinal cord extend from?

Answer 25

Foramen magnum to the end of the L1 vertebra

Question 26

ligaments of the spine

Answer 26

learn

Question 27

What is the inferior end of the spinal cord called?

Answer 27

Conus medullaris

Question 28

What are the layers of the dura mater called in the cranium?

Answer 28

- Outer = periosteal layer | - Inner meningeal layer

Question 29

What do ventral horns contain?

Answer 29

Cell bodies of motor neurons

Question 30

What do the dorsal horns contain?

Answer 30

Cell bodies of sensory neurons

Question 31

What is carried in dorsal columns?

Answer 31

Sensory information from from somatic mechanoreceptors

Question 32

Where does the spinal cord end in neonates?

Answer 32

L3

Question 33

Where does the dura mater end?

Answer 33

Lower border of S2 where it fuses with the filum terminale at the cocyx - Covers roots of spinal nerves as they pass through the intervertebral foramina

Question 34

What does the arachnoid mater attach to the pia mater via?

Answer 34

Arachnoid trabeculae

Question 35

Where does the arachnoid mater end?

Answer 35

S2 | - Encloses caudal equina (as lumbar cistern)

Question 36

What does the pia mater become at the inferior end of the cord?

Answer 36

Filum terminale (attaches to coccyx)

Question 37

What are the extensions of the pia mater called which attach it to the arachnoid mater?

Answer 37

Denticulate ligaments

Question 38

What is the arterial supply of the spinal cord?

Answer 38

- 2 Posterior spinal arteries - 1 Anterior spinal artery - Segmental medullary arteries

Question 39

What is the largest anterior segmental medullary artery?

Answer 39

The artery of Adamkiewicz

Question 40

What is the pyramidal decussation

Answer 40

the crossing of the fibers of the corticospinal tracts from one side of the central nervous system to the other near the junction of the medulla and the spinal cord

Question 41

What is the cerebral aqueduct?

Answer 41

Located within the midbrain it connects the 3rd ventricle to the 4th - Contains CSF