Neuroanatomy

Question 1

Describe CNS protection

Answer 1

Bone- skull and vertebral column
Meninges- 
Dura mater- lines skull
Arachnoid mater- contains blood vessels
Pia mater- invests CNS
Cerebrospinal fluid in subarachnoid space

Question 2

Breifly describe the development of the nervous system

Answer 2

Develops from the ectoderm
Neural plate thickens laterally
Folding forms neural grove
Fusion to form neural tube
Neuroepithelial (ventricular) layer
Mantle layer (grey matter)
Marginal zone (axons, white matter)
Somites- develop from mesenchyme and neural crest cells
Sclerotome- vertebrae, ribs, limbs
Dermomyotome- muscle, skin

Question 3

Describe cerebrospinal fluid

Answer 3

Ventricles- lined by ependymal cell
CSF created in choroid plexus
Returned to venous system via arachnoid granulations

Question 4

List some neural tube defects

Answer 4

Spina bifida cystica/occulta
Meningomylocoele/Rachisis
Anencephaly
Hydrocephalus
Microcephaly

Question 5

What are the segments of the vertebrae?

Answer 5

Cervical- 8
Thoracic- 12
Lumbar- 5
Sacral- 5
Coccygeal- 1

Question 6

Describe the brain

Answer 6

Brainstem
Hindbrain- pons, medulla, cerebellum
Midbrain
Forebrain- cerebrum
- Frontal
-Parietal
- Occipital
- Insular

Question 7

Describe the spinothalamic tract

Answer 7

Pain, temperature, crude touch
Primary neurone- receptor to spinal coird, cell body in dorsal root ganglion, synapse in dorsal horn
Secondary neurone- decussates in cords
Synapses in thalamus
Tertiary neurone- terminates in primary sensory cortex

Question 8

Describe the corticospinal tract

Answer 8

Descending motor pathway
Two neurone pathway
Upper motor neurone– from motoir cortex to spinal cord, decussates in medulla, synapses on Interneuron or lower motor neuron
Lower motor neurone- spinal cord to muscle, arises in ventral horn

Question 9

Describe the corticonuclear/ bulbar tract

Answer 9

Descending motor pathway
Upper motor neurone- cortox to brain stem
Decussates
Synapses on Interneuron or lower motor neuron
Lower motor neurone- to muscle
Arises in motor nuclei of cranial nerves

Question 10

Describe the blood supply of the CNS

Answer 10

Well vascularised
Spinal cord- anterior and posterior spinal arteries
Brain- Circle of Willis- internal carotid artery and vertebral artery