Neuroanatomy

Question 1

what three structures make up the brain stem

Answer 1

midbrain pons and medulla

Question 2

as the brain develops what parts make up the 3 vesicle structure

Answer 2

forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain

Question 3

what structures make up the peripheral nervous system

Answer 3

Cranial Nerves
Spinal Nerves
Ganglia (Dorsal root ganglia and autonomic ganglia)

Question 4

what makes up grey matter

Answer 4

neuronal cell bodies

Question 5

what makes up the white matter

Answer 5

myelinated axons

Question 6

what is the function of the brain stem

Answer 6

creates a junction between the spinal cord and brain acting as a conduit for ascending and descending tracts. contains important reflex centers associated with control of respiration, heart rate, blood pressure and consciousness

Question 7

how does the brainstem regulate consciousness

Answer 7

via extensive forebrain projections of a portion of the brain stem core, the reticular formation

Question 8

what is the limbic system

Answer 8

interconnected structure in the telencephalon and diencephalon (sit on/around the top of the brainstem) - relates to brain structure that deal with emotion memory and basic drives

Question 9

what are the 3 major components of the limbic system

Answer 9

hypothalamus
amygdala
hippocampus

Question 10

which brain structure is considered the feeling/ emotional brain

Answer 10

the limbic system

Question 11

what is the fornix (in the brain)

Answer 11

a bundle of whit ematter fibres that arches around the thalamus

Question 12

what is the primary output node of the limbic system (what other connections)

Answer 12

Hypothalamus - with connections to the frontal lobes and brainstem and interactions with the pituitary gland for hormone production/ release

Question 13

what does the hypothalamus do

Answer 13

maintains homeostasis by influencing the autonomic nervous system and managing the endocrine system. also regulates sexual motivation and other emotional behaviors (primary output of limbic system)

Question 14

what lobe is the amygdala located in

Answer 14

temporal lobe

Question 15

what are the two major inputs of the limbic system

Answer 15

amygdala and hippocampus

Question 16

what is considered the fear centre of the brain

Answer 16

the amygdala

responsible for arousal, fear, excitement, anxiety, violence

Question 17

what is considered the memory centre of the brain

Answer 17

hippocampus

Question 18

where is cerebral spinal fluid produced

Answer 18

the choroid plexus in the cerebral ventricles

Question 19

what are the three layers of the meninges

Answer 19

Dura mater (outer, tough)
Arachnoid (web-like)
Pia mater (inner, delicate)

Question 20

where is the cerebral spinal fluid contained

Answer 20

in the subarachnoid space

Question 21

what is the dentate gyrus

Answer 21

Part of the hippocampal formation. the first region where all sensory modalities merge together to form unique representations and memories that bind stimuli together, and thus, it plays a critical role in learning and memory. also maintains neural stem cells (NCSs) and neurogenesis into adulthood.

Question 22

anatomical changes to this structure cause alzheimers disease

Answer 22

hippocampus; atrophy and degeneration

Question 23

what structures make up the hippocampal formation

Answer 23

Hippocampus (CA1 - CA4), Dentate gyrus, and Parahippocampal gyrus (subiculum & entorhinal cortex)

Question 24

what parts make up the parahippocampal gyrus

Answer 24

• Entorhinal cortex (input) (gateway between hippocampus & cortex)
• Subiculum (main output)

Question 25

what is the trisynaptic circuit

Answer 25

3 interconnected afferent pathways, taking information into the hippocampus for processing – memory retrieval. Consisting of 3 cell groups: Granule cells in DG, Pyramidal cells in CA3, Pyramidal cells in CA1.

Question 26

what are the three excitatory/glutaminergic synapses in the trisynaptic circuit

Answer 26

(synapse 1) Entorinal Cortex → DG via the perforant path
(synapse 2) DG → CA3 via mossy fibres
(synapse 3) CA3 → CA1 via Schaffer collaterals

Question 27

what is the simplest form of nervous system sound in invertebrates

Answer 27

Nerve nets: Neurons exist in a ‘loose network’ to allow for contraction and expansion of the body cavity. Lack distinct central or peripheral regions. No associative activity, just reflexes. Nerve signals travel in both directions.

Question 28

what is the simplest centralisation of the nervous system

Answer 28

A ring of neurons is located in the center with simple bundles of neurons (radial nerves) extending from the ring to the tip of each arm.
Radial nerves form nerve nets permitting coordinated movement of each arm and the tube feet located on the surface of the arm. (sea star- echinoderms)

Question 29

what is the simplest emergence of the central nervous system

Answer 29

Cephalisation and formation of the primitive brain: In animals with bilateral symmetry, a clustering of neurons into ‘ganglia’ near head of animal form more complex systems to integrate incoming/outgoing signals (seeing, hearing, tasting, etc.) (C.elegans)
Nerve cords and trunks: With bilateral symmetry (flatworms, etc), 2 nerve cords run down the length of the body allowing more complex control of muscles for movement.

Question 30

what structures of the brain tend to be conserved in vertebrates

Answer 30

olfactory lobe, cerebrum, optic lobe, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, spinal cord

Question 31

define sulci

Answer 31

Infoldings of the cerebral hemispheres that form ‘valleys’ between the gyri

Question 32

define gyri

Answer 32

Ridges of the infolded cerebral cortex