Nervous System & Injury

Question 1

What are the common causes of brain damage?

Answer 1

Toxic substances, pressure, temperature changes, inflammation, tutors, genetics, infections, trauma & idiopathic

Question 2

What is a ganglion and what is its role?

Answer 2

A collection of nerve cell bodies outside the CNS, responsible for transmitting signals to and from the CNS

Question 3

What are the components and functions of the CNS

Answer 3

The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord, which process information and control responses

Question 4

What are the components of the PNS?

Answer 4

Autonomic nervous system (ANS): controls involuntary functions via sympathetic. (Fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) systems
Somatic nervous system: controls voluntary movements

Question 5

What are the functions of the cerebrum?

Answer 5

The cerebrum is responsible for thought, reasoning, voluntary movements, and higher functions

Question 6

What are the subcortical structures, and what are their functions?

Answer 6

Basal ganglia: Smooths motor movements
Thalamus: Relays sensory signals
Hypothalamus: controls hunger, sleep, and autonomic functions
Hippocampus: Memory formation and retrieval
Limbic System: emotion, behaviour and memory

Question 7

What does the frontal lobe control?

Answer 7

Voluntary motor activity, intellectual processes (planning, speech) & facial expressions

Question 8

What is the function of the parietal lobe?

Answer 8

It interprets sensory information, spatial orientation, language and math skills

Question 9

What does the occipital lobe process?

Answer 9

It processes and interprets visual information

Question 10

What are the functions of the temporal lobe?

Answer 10

It processes auditory and visual information, aids memory formation, and regulates emotions

Question 11

What is the role of the brain stem?

Answer 11

Regulates consciousness, alertness, and vital autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate

Question 12

What does the cerebellum control?

Answer 12

Balance, muscle tone, coordination and stores motor memories

Question 13

What are the meninges layers, and what is their function?

Answer 13

Pia mater: inner protective layer
Arachnoid Mater: middle cushioning layer
Dura Mater: Tough outer layer

They protect the brain and spinal cord. CSF cushions the brain and removes waste

Question 14

What are the functions of the cranial nerves?

Answer 14

I. Olfactory: Smell (Sensory)
II. Optic: Vision (Sensory)
III. Oculomotor: Eye movement/pupil constriction (Motor)
IV. Trochlear: Eye movement (Motor)
V. Trigeminal: Facial sensation/chewing (Both)
VI. Abducens: Eye movement (Motor)
VII. Facial: Expression/taste (Both)
VIII. Vestibulocochlear: Hearing/balance (Sensory)
IX. Glossopharyngeal: Taste/swallowing (Both)
X. Vagus: Heart/lungs/digestion (Both)
XI. Accessory: Shoulder/neck movement (Motor)
XII. Hypoglossal: tongue movement (Motor)

Question 15

What is the cranial nerve function mnemonic?

Answer 15

Some say marry money but my brother says big boobs matter more.

S: Sensory
M: Motor
B: Both

Question 16

What is the mnemonic for the names of the cranial nerves and their respective order?

Answer 16

Oh oh oh, the trusty auror found Voldemort guarding very ancient horcruxes

Question 17

What is a motor unit?

Answer 17

A motor unit consists of a motor neuron and all the muscle fibres it innervates. The more motor units recruited leads to a stronger muscle contraction

Question 18

What happens at the neuromuscular junction?

Answer 18

Acetylcholine (ACh) is released, binds to nicotine receptors, causing an influx of sodium, depolarisation and muscle contraction

Question 19

What is the difference between afferent and efferent nerves?

Answer 19

Afferent nerves: carry signals to the CNS
Efferent: Send motor commands from the CNS to the muscles

Question 20

What protects the spinal cord?

Answer 20

It is protected by the vertebrae which make up the spinal column

Question 21

What is the cauda equina?

Answer 21

It is a bundle of nerve roots at the lower spinal cord that controls lower limb, bladder and bowel functions

Question 22

What do gray and white matter in the spinal cord do?

Answer 22

Gray matter: Processes information (cell bodies/dendrites)
White matter: conducts signals via myelinated axons

Question 23

What are the ascending and descending tracts in the spinal cord?

Answer 23

Ascending tracts: carry sensory signals to the brain
Descending tracts: transmit motor commands from the brain to the muscles

Question 24

How do reflex arcs work?

Answer 24

Reflexes are automatic responses processed by the spinal cord without involving the brain, like the stretch reflex

Question 25

What are upper and lower motor neurons and their roles?

Answer 25

Upper motor neurons: originate in the brain and send commands to the spinal cord
Lower motor neurons: extend from the spinal cord to muscles to control movement

Question 26

What causes muscle weakness at the neuromuscular junction?

Answer 26

Substances that block ACh release, prevent ACh from binding to receptors, or inhibit AChE, disrupting muscle contraction

Question 27

What is multiple sclerosis?

Answer 27

MS is a demyelinating disease where myelin sheath destruction disrupts nerve signal transmission, causing weakness and coordination issues

Question 28

What is the function of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)?

Answer 28

It breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft to stop continuous muscle contraction