NERVOUS SYSTEM: INTRODUCTION

Question 1

define: axon

Answer 1

extends into cell body and carries exciatory output in the form of action potentials

Question 2

define: dendrites

Answer 2

receive input

Question 3

define: cell body (soma)

Answer 3

contains genetic information, maintains the neuron’s structure, and provides energy to drive activities

Question 4

define: neuroglia

Answer 4

differ from neurons in several ways; do not form synapses, have only one type of projection, are able to divide, and are less electrically excitable

Question 5

define: pia mater

Answer 5

Pia mater: inner layer of the membrane surrounding the brain

Question 6

What are the major divisions of the central nervous system

Answer 6

brain and spinal cord

Question 7

what are the major divisions of the peripheral nervous system and their function

Answer 7

Peripheral nervous system (PNS): sensory afferents, somatic motor efferents, autonomic efferents

Afferent pathways of the PNS deliver sensory input to the CNS

Somatic efferent pathways control voluntary/skeletal muscle

Autonomic efferents control smooth and cardiac muscle

Question 8

Explain the organization of the peripheral nervous system where it interfaces with the central nervous system

Answer 8

Interfaces with the central nervous system in the dorsal and ventral horns of the spinal cord

• dorsal horn: transmit sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system
• ventral horn: send axons via the ventral roots of the spinal nerves to terminate on striated muscles.

Question 9

What does the ascending dorsal column medial lemniscus carry and where?

Answer 9

carries sensory input on fine touch, vibration and proprioception to the brain

Question 10

What does the Ascending spinothalamic pathway carry and where?

Answer 10

carries sensory input on temperature, crude touch and pain to the brain

Question 11

What does the corticospinal tracts carry and where?

Answer 11

carry motor signals from the brain to skeletal muscles to control movement (also called pyramidal and extrapyramidal)

Question 12

What does the antero-lateral pathways carry and where?

Answer 12

pain and temperature up to the brain

Question 13

What are the functions of the CNS? (5)

Answer 13

• Gather and integrate information from PNS
• Process and perceive information from PNS
• Organize reflex and autonomic responses
• Planning and executing voluntary movements
• Higher functions like cognition, learning and memory

Question 14

Define/ give the function of: frontal lobe

Answer 14

Frontal lobe: primary motor cortex

Question 15

Define/ give the function of: temporal lobe

Answer 15

Temporal lobe: auditory cortex and auditory association area

Question 16

Define/ give the function of: parietal lobe

Answer 16

Parietal lobe: primary somatosensory cortex and sensory association area

Question 17

Define/ give the function of: occipital lobe

Answer 17

Occipital lobe: visual association area, visual cortex

Question 18

Explain the utility and limitations of Brodmann Areas

Answer 18

• Useful in that many areas associate closely with diverse functions (e.g. BA 1-3 is the sensory cortex; A4 is the motor cortex)
• Functional imaging can only identify approximate areas in terms of BAs because definition of the boundaries between them requires histological examination
• dated and debated

Question 19

Define: cerebral cortex and give the function of its 3 layers

Answer 19

the outer layer that lies on top of your cerebrum

• superficial layers: have connections with other cortical areas
• intermediate layers: receive input from subcortical areas
• deep areas: project to subcortical areas

Cell layer composition and thickness varies across areas of the brain and can be used to divide cortex into Brodmann areas

Question 20

What are cortical columns?

Answer 20

Six-layered functional networks; make up the basic ‘processing module’ for the cerebral cortex

The cellular makeup, together with their input and output connections, define the function and activity of the local region

Question 21

define and give the function of thalamus

Answer 21

subcortical gray matter structure that acts as a ‘relay’ for sensory and motor information

Question 22

define and give the function of the basal ganglia

Answer 22

subcortical gray matter structure involved in movement processing

Question 23

gustatory complex

Answer 23

taste

Question 24

olfactory complex

Answer 24

smell

Question 25

sensorimotor and premotor cotex

Answer 25

motor coordination

Question 26

dorsolateral prefrontal and lateral orbitofrontal cortex

Answer 26

planning and execution

Question 27

limbic and paralimbic cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala

Answer 27

emotion

Question 28

cerebrum

Answer 28

Cerebrum: cognition, motor control, sensory processing, language processing, memory formation

Question 29

cerebellum

Answer 29

Cerebellum: motor coordination, balance and posture, cognitive functions, emotions and behaviour

Question 30

brainstem

Answer 30

Brainstem: regulation of breathing, heart rate, swallowing and gag reflex, vomiting and coughing, alertness, cranial nerve function