MCQ Chapter 14: The Brain and Cranial Nerves

Question 1

A large, oval structure located bilaterally on either side of the third ventricle, consisting of two masses of gray matter organized into nuclei; main relay center for sensory impulses ascending to the cerebral cortex.

thalamus
concussion
encephalitis
ataxia

Answer 1

thalamus

Question 2

A white matter tract that originates in the gracile and cuneate nuclei of the medulla oblongata and extends to the thalamus on the same side; sensory axons in this tract conduct nerve impulses for the sensations of proprioception, touch, vibration, hearing, and equilibrium.

tentorium cerebelli
medial lemniscus
medulla oblongata
encephalitis

Answer 2

medial lemniscus

Question 3

Occurs after a viral infection, particularly chickenpox or influenza, most often in children or teens who have taken aspirin; characterized by vomiting and brain dysfunction (disorientation, lethargy, and personality changes) that may progress to coma and death.

reye’s syndrome
diencephalon
internal capsule
corpus callosum

Answer 3

reye’s syndrome

Question 4

A portion of the diencephalon, lying beneath the thalamus and forming the floor and part of the wall of the third ventricle.

Hypothalamus
Cerebral cortex
Reye’s syndrome
Broca’s area

Answer 4

Hypothalamus

Question 5

Inability to recognize the significance of sensory stimuli such as sounds, sights, smells, tastes, and touch.

superior
agnosia
corpus striatum
median aperture

Answer 5

agnosia

Question 6

A state of partial unconsciousness from which a person can be aroused; associated with a low level of activity in the reticular activating system.

pontine respiratory group
prosopagnosia
sleep
corpus callosum

Answer 6

sleep

Question 7

A condition of functional sluggishness.

Lethargy
Cerebellum
Prosopagnosia
Pia mater

Answer 7

Lethargy

Question 8

The portion of the brain immediately superior to the spinal cord, made up of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.

cerebellum
reye’s syndrome
brainstem
neural plate

Answer 8

brainstem

Question 9

Inability to carry out purposeful movements in the absence of paralysis.

blood-brain barrier (BBB)
broca’s area
olive
apraxia

Answer 9

apraxia

Question 10

A region of the cerebral cortex in the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe of the cerebrum that controls specific muscles or groups of muscles.

primary motor cortex
reye’s syndrome
ataxia
reflex

Answer 10

primary motor cortex

Question 11

A transient disorder of abnormal cognition and disordered attention accompanied by disturbances of the sleep-wake cycle and psychomotor behavior (hyperactivity or hypoactivity of movements and speech). Also called acute confusional state (ACS).

cerebral cortex
blood-brain barrier (BBB)
delirium
microcephaly

Answer 11

delirium

Question 12

A fold of the dura mater extending deep into the longitudinal fissure between the two cerebral hemispheres.

pia mater
falx cerebri
olive
corpus striatum

Answer 12

falx cerebri

Question 13

Falling or drooping of the eyelid (or slippage of any organ such as a kidney below its normal position).

optic chiasm
sleep
primary motor cortex
ptosis

Answer 13

Ptosis

Question 14

A barrier consisting of specialized brain capillaries and astrocytes that prevents the passage of materials from the blood to the cerebrospinal fluid and brain.

stupor
blood-brain barrier (BBB)
cerebral cortex
cerebrum

Answer 14

blood-brain barrier (BBB)

Question 15

The part of the central nervous system contained within the cranial cavity.

tentorium cerebelli
brain
medullary respiratory center
brain waves

Answer 15

brain

Question 16

Part of the diencephalon superior and posterior to the thalamus, comprising the pineal gland and associated structures.

brainstem
medial lemniscus
neural plate
epithalamus

Answer 16

epithalamus

Question 17

The white matter tracts of the cerebellum, which have a treelike appearance when seen in midsagittal section.

reflex
ectoderm
midbrain
arbor vitae

Answer 17

Arbor vitae

Question 18

A region of the cerebral cortex posterior to the central sulcus in the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe of the cerebrum that localizes exactly the points of the body where somatic sensations originate.

brain
primary somatosensory cortex
blood-brain barrier (BBB)
tentorium cerebelli

Answer 18

primary somatosensory cortex

Question 19

Unresponsiveness from which a patient can be aroused only briefly and only by vigorous and repeated stimulation.

primary somatosensory cortex
ataxia
cerebrum
stupor

Answer 19

stupor

Question 20

Inability to recognize faces, usually caused by damage to the facial recognition area in the inferior temporal lobe of both cerebral hemispheres.

Medulla oblongata
Encephalopathy
Prosopagnosia
Midbrain

Answer 20

Prosopagnosia

Question 21

A network of small groups of neuronal cell bodies scattered among bundles of axons (mixed gray and white matter) beginning in the medulla oblongata and extending superiorly through the central part of the brainstem.

reticular formation
medial lemniscus
ptosis
median aperture

Answer 21

Reticular formation

Question 22

A part of the brain consisting of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

primary motor cortex
diencephalon
internal capsule
median aperture

Answer 22

Diencephalon

Question 23

Any disorder of the brain.

encephalopathy
superior
brain
falx cerebelli

Answer 23

Encephalopathy

Question 24

Traumatic injury to the brain that produces no visible bruising but may result in abrupt, temporary loss of consciousness.

broca’s area
brain
concussion
corpus striatum

Answer 24

Concussion

Question 25

The most inferior part of the brainstem

internal capsule
medulla oblongata
ataxia
muscle tone

Answer 25

Medulla oblongata

Question 26

Permanent or progressive general loss of intellectual abilities, including impairment of memory, judgment, and abstract thinking and changes in personality.

dementia
lethargy
median aperture
medulla oblongata

Answer 26

Dementia

Question 27

One of the three openings in the roof of the fourth ventricle through which cerebrospinal fluid enters the subarachnoid space of the brain and spinal cord.

median aperture
dura mater
muscle tone
reticular formation

Answer 27

Median aperture

Question 28

The part of the brain lying posterior to the medulla oblongata and pons; governs balance and coordinates skilled movements.

cerebellum
encephalopathy
medulla oblongata
limbic system

Answer 28

Cerebellum

Question 29

A prominent oval mass on each lateral surface of the superior part of the medulla oblongata.

superior
prosopagnosia
ectoderm
olive

Answer 29

Olive

Question 30

A transverse shelf of dura mater that forms a partition between the occipital lobe of the cerebral hemispheres and the cerebellum and that covers the cerebellum.

Internal capsule
Prosopagnosia
Tentorium cerebelli
Broca’s area

Answer 30

Tentorium cerebelli

Question 31

1) The brain and spinal cord develop from the _____ neural tube.
a) mesodermal
b) endodermal
c) ectodermal

Answer 31

C

Question 32

4) Which of the following brain structures consists of the medulla oblongata, pons and midbrain?
a) Brainstem
b) Cerebrum
c) Cerebellum
d) Diencephalon
e) Dura mater

Answer 32

A

Question 33

5) Which of the following brain structures consists of the thalamus, hypothalamus and epithalamus?
a) Cerebellum
b) Brain stem
c) Cerebrum
d) Diencephalon
e) Dura mater

Answer 33

D

Question 34

6) The periosteal and meningeal layer are part of the
a) Spinal dura mater
b) Cranial dura mater
c) Spinal arachnoid mater
d) Cranial arachnoid mater
e) Cranial pia mater

Answer 34

B

Question 35

10) Which portion of the ventricular system is located in the cerebral hemisphere?
a) Lateral ventricle
b) aqueduct of the midbrain
c) Fourth ventricle
d) Third ventricle

Answer 35

A

Question 36

11) Cerebrospinal fluid passes through what structure in the midbrain as it moves from the third to the fourth ventricle?
a) Lateral ventricle
b) Septum pellucidum
c) Third ventricle
d) Fourth ventricle
e) Aqueduct of the midbrain

Answer 36

E

Question 37

12) Which of the following describes a function of cerebrospinal fluid?
1. Maintain optimum ionic environment
2. Maintain pH homeostasis
3. Provide circulation for exchange of nutrients/wastes
4. Serve as a shock-absorbing fluid system of spinal cord
5. Provide buoyancy of the brain
a) 1, 2, 3
b) 1, 4, 5
c) 1, 3, 5
d) 2, 3, 4, 5
e) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Answer 37

E

Question 38

14) What are the fingerlike projections extending into the dural venous sinuses that reabsorb cerebrospinal fluid into the blood?
a) Choroid plexuses
b) Microvilli
c) Arachnoid villi
d) Astrocytes
e) Aperatures

Answer 38

C

Question 39

15) A stroke patient has a lesion on their trigeminal ophthalmic branch. Which symptom would the patient exhibit?
a) loss of smell
b) loss of pain, temperature and touch sesnsation c) loss of sensation on posterior part of tongue
d) loss of sensation on anterior 2/3 of tongue
e) paralysis of tongue muscles

Answer 39

B

Question 40

16) A lesion on which structure would affect the acoustic “startle reflex”?
a) Superior colliculus
b) Inferior colliculus
c) Pontine nucleus
d) Medial lemniscus
e) Inferior olivary nucleus

Answer 40

B

Question 41

17) Which region of the brain contains the pontine respiratory group that help control breathing?
a) Medulla oblongata
b) Midbrain
c) Pons
d) Thalamus
e) Cerebellum

Answer 41

C

Question 42

20) Which of the following branches of the trigeminal (V) nerve terminate in the nuclei of the pons? Select all that apply.
a) motor branches of the Ophthalmic nerve
b) motor branches of the Maxillary nerve
c) motor branches of the Mandibular nerve
d) sensory branches of the Ophthalmic nerve
e) sensory branches of the Maxillary nerve
f) sensory branches of the Mandibular nerve

Answer 42

Answer 1: d Answer 2: e Answer 3: f

Question 43

21) [___] is found in the medulla oblongata and receives sensory information associated with touch, pressure and vibration.
Dropdown choices:
Gracile nucleus
Inferior olivary nucleus
Pontine nucleus
Red nucleus
Substantia nigra

Answer 43

Gracile nucleus

Question 44

23) Which portion of the cerebellum contributes to equilibrium and balance?
a) Tentorium cerebelli
b) Anterior lobe
c) Posterior lobe
d) Flocculonodular lobe
e) Transverse fissure

Answer 44

D

Question 45

24) Folia are to ___ , as arbor vitae are to ___.
a) gyri; tracts
b) nuclei; lobes
c) sulci; septum pellucidum
d) fissures; ventricles
e) lobes; hemispheres

Answer 45

A

Question 46

25) Spinocerebellar tract axons carry sensory information into the cerebellum by the
a) Inferior cerebellar peduncle
b) Middle cerebellar peduncle
c) Superior cerebellar peduncle
d) Anterior lobe
e) Posterior lobe

Answer 46

A

Question 47

26) Which region of the brain is separated by the third ventricle and projects most sensory information to the cerebral cortex from the spinal cord and brain stem?
a) Thalamus
b) Hypothalamus
c) Epithalamus
d) Pons
e) Midbrain

Answer 47

A

Question 48

27) The hypothalamus affects which functions in the body? Select all that apply.
a) Hunger and thirst
b) Reflexes related to smell
c) Maintenance of consciousness
d) Emotional behavior
e) Body temperature
f) Control of the sympathetic and parasympathetic system
g) Vomiting
h) Respiration rate

Answer 48

Answer: abdef

Question 49

30) During brain development, the gyri of the cerebrum are formed because
a) the white matter enlarges faster than the overlying gray matter.
b) the cerebral cortex folds to fit within the cranium.
c) the tracts must be fully formed before gray matter can develop
d) the gray matter grows faster than the underlying white matter.
e) the oligodendrocytes cannot myelinate neurons quickly

Answer 49

D

Question 50

31) Which of the following conducts nerve impulses between the two different hemispheres of the cerebrum?
a) Association tracts
b) Basal nuclei
c) Projection tracts
d) Septum pellucidum
e) Commissural tracts

Answer 50

B

Question 51

32) The basal nuclei are formed from which masses of gray matter? Select all that apply.
a) globus pallidus
b) putamen
c) lateral dorsal nucleus
d) corpus callosum
e) caudate nucleus
f) ventral anterior nucleus

Answer 51

Answer: abe

Question 52

33) Which functional area of the cerebrum is responsible for the perception of touch, coldness and warmth?
a) Broca’s area
b) Primary visual area
c) Common integrative area
d) Prefrontal cortex area
e) Primary somatosensory area

Answer 52

E

Question 53

34) Which functional area of the cerebrum is responsible for the ability to form words?
a) Broca’s area
b) Primary visual area
c) Common integrative area
d) Primary olfactory area
e) Primary somatosensory area

Answer 53

A

Question 54

35) Which area of the cerebrum is matched correctly with its function? Select all that apply.
a) Broca’s area – interprets the meaning of speech by recognizing spoken words
b) Primary visual area – relates present and past visual experience and allows recognition
c) Somatosensory association area – facial recognition
d) Primary motor area – voluntary muscle contraction
e) Primary somatosensory area – proprioception, pressure, tickle and pain

Answer 54

Answer: de

Question 55

36) Frontal lobe damage left an individual unable to speak. What area was specifically damaged?
a) Broca’s area
b) Primary gustatory area
c) Common integrative area
d) Prefrontal cortex area
e) Wernicke’s area

Answer 55

A

Question 56

37) Which cranial nerves innervate only one eye muscle? Select all that apply.
a) oculomotor (III) nerve
b) trigeminal (V) nerve
c) abducens (VI) nerve
d) vestibulocochlear (VIII) nerve
e) trochlear (IV) nerve

Answer 56

Answer: ce

Question 57

38) Which cranial nerves control movements of the eyeball?
a) optic (II) nerve, oculomotor (III) nerve, and trochlear (IV) nerve
b) olfactory (I) nerve, trigeminal (V) nerve, and vagus (X) nerve
c) oculomotor (III) nerve, glossopharyngeal (IX) nerve, and trigeminal (V) nerve
d) oculomotor (III) nerve, trochlear (IV) nerve, and abducens (VI) nerve
e) vagus (X) nerve, accessory (XI) nerve, and hypoglossal (XII) nerve

Answer 57

D

Question 58

39) All of the cranial nerves listed exit the cranium by bony openings in front of the petrous portion.
a) trochlear
b) abducens
c) trigeminal
d) facial
e) oculomotor

Answer 58

C

Question 59

40) Damaging which cranial nerve could decrease gastrointestinal secretions?
a) Oculomotor
b) Trigeminal
c) Spinal accessory
d) Facial
e) Vagus

Answer 59

E

Question 60

41) A baseball player is hit by a line drive on the temporal area of his skull. At the hospital the doctors give a CT scan which shows an accumulation of blood between the dura mater and arachnoid mater, creating pressure on the cerebrum. The hemorrhage from the fracture would be located in which space?
a) epidural space
b) subdural space
c) subarachnoid space
d) nasal sinus
e) straight sinus

Answer 60

B

Question 61

42) In this diagram, injury to which area would affect sensory impulses reaching the cerebral cortex?
a)A
b) B
c) C
d) D
e) E

Answer 61

B

Question 62

43) Which of the labelled structures in the diagram contains centers that control heart rate and blood pressure?
a)A
b) B
c) D
d) E
e) F

Answer 62

C

Question 63

44) In this diagram which major portion of the brain is used to monitor movements initiated by the motor areas of the cerebrum?
a) B
b) E
c) F
d) C
e) A

Answer 63

B

Question 64

47) Anosmia may result from head injuries in which the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone is fractured. This condition results in impaired function of which cranial nerve in the diagram?
a)A
b) B
c) C
d) D
e) E

Answer 64

A

Question 65

48) Infections may spread from the nasal cavity to the meninges along olfactory nerves. These fibres travel from the mucosa of the nasal cavity to the olfactory bulb through the
a) cribriform plate.
b) crista galli.
c) superior orbital fissure.
d) inferior oribital fissure.
e) optic foramen.

Answer 65

A

Question 66

49) Which cranial nerve in the diagram has a somatic motor function primarily involved in moving the upper eyelid and eyeball and an autonomic function involved in iris muscle contraction?
a) A
b) B
c) C
d) D
e) F

Answer 66

C

Question 67

50) Left side face paralysis could result from damage to which nerve in the diagram?
a) C
b) D
c) E
d) F
e) G

Answer 67

E

Question 68

51) Damage to which of the cranial nerves in the diagram would result in strabismus? Select all that apply
a) A
b) B
c) C
d) D
e) E
f) F
g) G

Answer 68

Answer 1: c Answer 2: d Answer 3: f

Question 69

52) During a firework celebration, a firework exploded next to a technician’s ear, resulting in hearing loss. What nerve was damaged?
a) E
b) G
c) H
d) I
e) J

Answer 69

C

Question 70

53) The maxillary branch of which cranial nerve in the diagram would be anesthetized by dentists for upper jaw work?
a) E
b) G
c) H
d) I
e) J

Answer 70

A

Question 71

54) You smell fresh baked cookies, and your mouth begins to salivate. Which cranial nerves are involved? Select all that apply
a) B
b) I
c) D
d) E
e) F
f) A
g) G
h) H
i) K
j) J

Answer 71

Answer 1: b Answer 2: f Answer 3: g

Question 72

55) Damage to which cranial nerve in the diagram will cause the inability of an eyeball to move laterally beyond the midpoint?
a) B
b) C
c) D
d) E
e) F

Answer 72

E

Question 73

56) Facial movement is primarily controlled by ____nerve, while sensation from the face is primarily determined by ____nerve.
a) facial; trigeminal
b) trigeminal; facial
c) glossopharyngeal; trigeminal
d) glossopharyngeal; facial
e) accessory; facial

Answer 73

A

Question 74

57) A patient shows no effect when a light shines in the right eye, but shining a light into the left eye causes both pupils (right and left) to constrict. A lesion on the ______ nerve could cause this.
a) optic
b) trochlear
c) trigeminal
d) facial

Answer 74

A

Question 75

58) Damage to which cranial nerve may result in death?
a) glossopharyngeal
b) vagus
c) vestibulocochlear
d) oculomotor
e) facial

Answer 75

B

Question 76

59) Which cranial nerves in the diagram innervate the tongue? Select all that apply
a) H
b) I
c) J
d) K
e) L
f) D
g) E
h) F
i) G

Answer 76

B & D & I & G

Question 77

60) Which cranial nerve in the diagram is involved with speech and swallowing and has a purely motor function?
a) H
b) I
c) J
d) K
e) L

Answer 77

D

Question 78

61) Hand preference when writing or throwing is an example of
a) cranial nerve damage.
b) hemispheric lateralization.
c) damage to the olfactory nerve.
d) damage to Broca’s area.

Answer 78

B

Question 79

62) The right hemisphere exhibits greater activity for which functions? Select all that apply.
a) facial recognition.
b) odor identification.
c) writing.
d) reasoning.
e) aphasia.

Answer 79

A & B

Question 80

63) An electroencephalogram (EEG) measures brain waves primarily generated by
a) neurons in the pons.
b) neurons in the medulla oblongata.
c) neurons in the thalamus.
d) neurons in the cerebral cortex.
e) neurons in the cerebellum.

Answer 80

D

Question 81

64) Which type of brain wave occurs at regular intervals when a person is awake but not when a person is sleeping?
a) Alpha waves
b) Beta waves
c) Theta waves
d) Delta waves.
e) All of the selections are correct

Answer 81

A

Question 82

65) Brain waves that generally appear during periods of sensory input and mental activity are called
a) alpha waves.
b) beta waves.
c) theta waves.
d) delta waves.
e) P waves.

Answer 82

B

Question 83

66) Brain waves that appear during deep sleep are called
a) alpha waves.
b) beta waves.
c) theta waves.
d) delta waves.
e) P waves.

Answer 83

D

Question 84

67) Blood flows to the brain through the _____ arteries and away from the brain through the _____ veins.
a) internal carotid and vertebral; internal jugular
b) external carotid and vertebral; external jugular c) internal jugular and vertebral; internal carotid
d) internal carotid and axillary; internal jugular
e) external jugular and axillary; external jugular

Answer 84

A

Question 85

68) Which of the following statements best describes the structure of the blood-brain barrier that provides its functional characteristics?
a) Processes of astrocytes wrap tightly around capillaries in the brain.
b) Tight junctions tightly seal endothelial cells of capillaries in the brain.
c) Gap junctions tightly seal endothelial cells of capillaries in the brain.
d) Spot desmosomes tightly link capillary endothelial cells together.
e) The basement membrane of capillaries in the brain contains extremely small pores.

Answer 85

B

Question 86

69) Damage to this nucleus would affect input from the limbic system, superior colliculi and cerebral cortex, affecting the ability to express emotions.
a) lateral geniculate nucleus
b) medial geniculate nucleus
c) ventral posterior nucleus
d) lateral dorsal nucleus
e) ventral lateral nucleus

Answer 86

D

Question 87

70) The central sulcus of the cerebrum separates the_____, and the lateral fissure separates the _____.
a) two cerebral hemispheres; frontal lobe from the parietal lobe
b) frontal lobe from the parietal lobe; temporal lobe from the frontal lobe
c) frontal lobe from the temporal lobe; occipital lobe from parietal lobe
d) parietal lobe from the temporal lobe; parietal lobe from frontal lobe
e) temporal lobe from the occipital lobe; temporal lobe from parietal lobe

Answer 87

B

Question 88

71) Which lobe of the cerebrum is found deep to the other four lobes and thus cannot be observed from the surface?
a) occipital
b) temporal
c) parietal
d) insula
e) frontal

Answer 88

D

Question 89

72) [___] are used to conduct nerve impulses between gyri within the same cerebral hemisphere?

Association tracts
Commissural tracts
Projection tracts

Answer 89

Association tracts

Question 90

73) Which are areas of gray matter found in each cerebral hemisphere that are important in helping to control the initiation and termination of skeletal muscle movements?
a) red nuclei
b) vestibular nuclei
c) lateral olivary nuclei
d) basal nuclei
e) substantia nigra

Answer 90

D

Question 91

74) Damage to which portion of the limbic system results in loss of memory of recent events and difficulty committing anything new to memory?
a) amygdala
b) dentate gyrus
c) cingulate gyrus
d) hippocampus
e) septal nuclei

Answer 91

D

Question 92

75) A common type of disabling senile dementia that results in progressive loss of intellectual ability, is called
a) agnosia.
b) prosopagnosia.
c) Alzheimer disease.
d) transient ischemic attack syndrome.
e) amylotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Answer 92

C

Question 93

78) A child riding a bike falls and hits their head. The child was not wearing a helmet. In the emergency room, cerebrospinal fluid taken during a spinal tap reveals blood. The doctors diagnosed the child had torn cerebral veins as they pass to the superior sagittal sinus. What area of the body was the fluid taken?
a) Epidural space
b) Subarachnoid space
c) Subdural space
d) Superior sagittal sinus
e) Lateral ventricles

Answer 93

B

Question 94

79) An infant has hydrocephalus. The CSF could not get out of the third ventricle. What passage was blocked?
a) central canal
b) aqueduct of midbrain
c) interventricular foramen
d) lateral aperture
e) median aperture

Answer 94

B

Question 95

80) Blockage of cerebrospinal fluid within the aqueduct of the midbrain would result in the swelling of all ventricular spaces EXCEPT the
a) Lateral ventricle
b) Third ventricle
c) Fourth ventricle
d) Interventricular foramen
e) Right and left ventricles

Answer 95

C

Question 96

81) Eating disorders may lead to extreme thirst and temperature variations. These symptoms may describe dysfunction in the
a) Thalamus
b) Medulla oblongata
c) Hypothalamus
d) Pons
e) Tectum

Answer 96

C

Question 97

82) An individual cannot feel tactile sensation on the right side of the face. A lesion could be in which brainstem region?
a) Medulla oblongata
b) Pons
c) Midbrain
d) Tectum

Answer 97

B

Question 98

83) A patient with Wernicke’s aphasia would exhibit what issues upon examination?
a) Slow, non-fluent speech devoid of meaning
b) Can understand what is being said, but unable to repeat the words
c) Difficulty pronouncing multisyllabic words
d) No expression of fear or emotions
e) Unable to recognize faces

Answer 98

A

Question 99

84) A boy has been reported to lack fear and not show any stress in dangerous situations. These symptoms suggest issues with which area of the brain?
a) Parietal lobe
b) Frontal lobe
c) Occipital lobe
d) Amygdala
e) Midbrain

Answer 99

D

Question 100

85) The left cerebellar hemisphere receives information from the ___cerebral hemisphere. This type of input is considered _____.
a) Right; ipsilateral
b) Right contralateral
c) Left; ipsilateral
d) Left; contralateral

Answer 100

B