Module 3: Central Nervous System

Question 1

What are the components of the CNS?

Answer 1

1. Brain
2. Spinal cord

Question 2

What is the function of the CNS?

Answer 2

Integrates signals and preforms higher cognitive functions

Question 3

What do neurons do in the CNS?

Answer 3

1. Neurons are excitable cells that transmit electrical signals for communication via synapses
2. Basic functional unit of the NS

Question 4

What do neuroglia do in the CNS?

Answer 4

1. Supporting cells, more numerous than neurons
2. Support and insulate

Question 5

What is white matter made of?

Answer 5

Myelinated axons/fibers

Question 6

What is grey matter made of?

Answer 6

Cell bodies (somas) and dendrites

Question 7

What are the two types of grey matter?

Answer 7

1. Cerebral cortex (outer grey)
2. Basal nuclei (deep in white matter)

Question 8

What are the 3 types of white matter?

Answer 8

1. Association fibres
2. Commissural fibres
3. Projection fibres

Question 9

What are association fibres?

Answer 9

Connect different parts of the same hemisphere

Question 10

What are commissural fibres?

Answer 10

Connect grey areas of two different hemispheres

Question 11

What are projection fibres?

Answer 11

Vertical tracts that connect the cerebral cortex with subcortical structures. Sensory information enters and motor commands leave through these fibers.

Question 12

What is a fissure?

Answer 12

Deep groove

Question 13

What are the left and right hemispheres separated by?

Answer 13

Longitude Fissure

Question 14

What separates the frontal and parietal lobes?

Answer 14

Central sulcus

Question 15

What is the precentral gyrus?

Answer 15

Site of motor cortex

Question 16

What is the postcentral gyrus?

Answer 16

Site of the primary sensory cortex

Question 17

What regions are next to the central sulcus?

Answer 17

1. precentral gyrus
2. postcentral gyrus

Question 18

What is the frontal lobe?

Answer 18

1. Primary motor area
2. Voluntary movements

Question 19

What is the parietal lobe?

Answer 19

1. Primary somatosensory areas
2. proprioception - awareness of self

Question 20

What is the temporal lobe?

Answer 20

Primary auditory cortex

Question 21

What is the occipital lobe?

Answer 21

Primary visual lobe

Question 22

What are motor areas?

Answer 22

Controls voluntary movements

Question 23

What are sensory areas?

Answer 23

Conscious awareness of sensation

Question 24

What are association areas?

Answer 24

Connects MA and SA, multiple input and output

Question 25

What does the right side of the brain control?

Answer 25

how we are in the world, touch, spatial awareness, artistic, left eye

Question 26

What does the left side of the brain control?

Answer 26

speech, writing, maths, logical processes and the right eye

Question 27

What is the cerebellum?

Answer 27

1. second largest brain structure 2. hemispheres connected by the vermis 3. folds termed folia 4. connected to the brainstem via the cerebellar peduncles

Question 28

What does the cerebellum do?

Answer 28

1. Equilibrium 2. balance 3. co-ordination all happens subconsciously

Question 29

What is in the diencephalon?

Answer 29

1. Thalamus 2. Hypothalamus 3. Epithalamus

Question 30

What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 30

1. Many groups of nuclei that relay different types of sensory information 2. 'gatekeeper' to the cortex 3. motor and limbic connections to the cortex

Question 31

What are the 7 functions of the Hypothalamus?

Answer 31

1. Homeostasis 2. Autonomic 3. emotions 4. body temp 5. food intake/thirst 6. sleep-wake cycles 7. hormone control

Question 32

What is the function of the Epithalamus?

Answer 32

Pineal gland - melatonin, day/night cycles

Question 33

What is in the brainstem?

Answer 33

1. midbrain (mesencephalon) 2. pons 3. Medulla oblongata

Question 34

What is the midbrain (mesencephalon)?

Answer 34

1. contains nuclei for visual/auditory information 2. controls reflexes associated with senses

Question 35

What is the function of the pons?

Answer 35

Respiration

Question 36

what is the directionality of the pons neurons?

Answer 36

ascending and descending, and transverse to link the cerebellum

Question 37

what is the medulla oblongata?

Answer 37

1. most inferior 2. joins spinal cord at foramen magnum of skull 3. autonomic reflex centre

Question 38

What is the spinal cord?

Answer 38

1. Cylindrical extension of medulla oblongata 2. enclosed in vertebral column (42 cm long) 3. two-way communication between brain and body 4. Major reflex centre, initiated and completed

Question 39

what are the features of the spinal cord?

Answer 39

1. Conus medularis 2. cauda equina 3. fillum terminal

Question 40

What does the dorsal root control

Answer 40

Sensory

Question 41

What does the ventral root control

Answer 41

Motor

Question 42

what are the 3 levels of protection for the CNS?

Answer 42

meninges blood brain barrier cerebrospinal fluid

Question 43

what are the 3 major types of meninges?

Answer 43

dura mater (superficial) arachnoid mater (middle) pia mater (innermost)

Question 44

where else are the 3 meninges found?

Answer 44

around the spinal cord

Question 45

what are the features of the dura mater?

Answer 45

1 double-layered, outer layer fused to the periosteum 2. Dual venous sinuses between 2 layers (collect venous blood) 3. Dural folds (septa)

Question 46

what are the features of the arachnoid mater?

Answer 46

1. Trabeculae attach to pia 2. CSF in subarachnoid space

Question 47

what are the features of pia matter?

Answer 47

1. follows contours of gyri and sulci 2. rich with small blood vessels

Question 48

What is the function of the blood-brain barrier?

Answer 48

1. protects from harmful substances and pathogens 2. serves as a selective barrier to prevent passage of many substances from the blood into the brain

Question 49

what does the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) do?

Answer 49

1. protects the brain and spinal cord against chemical and physical injuries 2. carries oxygen/glucose/substances from blood to nervous tissue cells

Question 50

how many ventricles does the CSF have?

Answer 50

1. lateral ventricle x2 2. third ventricle 3. fourth ventricle

Question 51

what disease can occur if the basal nuclei breakdown?

Answer 51

Parkinson's