Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Neurology > Neuroanatomy > Flashcards

Neuroanatomy Flashcards

1
Q

What is the resting membrane potential of neurones?

A

About -70mV

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the name for clusters of cell bodies with similar functions in a) the CNS and b) the PNS?

A

a) nuclei

b) ganglia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What germ layer does the nervous system arise from? What other organ is derived from this germ layer?

A

The ectoderm.

The skin.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What name is given to the process of the formation of the embryonic nervous system?

A

Neurulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

When is the formation of the neural tube complete?

A

By the middle of the 4th week of development.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which part of the neural tube becomes the brain, and which part becomes the spinal cord?

A

The rostral part becomes brain and the caudal part becomes the spinal cord.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Name the primary brain vesicles.

A

Prosencephalon, mesencephalon, rhombencephalon.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Name the secondary brain vesicles and the parts into which they develop.

A

Telencephalon (cerebral hemispheres), Diencephalon (Thalamus and hypothalamus), Mesencephalon (midbrain), Metencephalon (pons and cerebellum), Myelencephalon (medulla oblongata).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Name the two sheets of dura which project into the cranial cavity dividing it into compartments

A

Falx cerebri - separates the cerebral hemispheres, its free border lies above the corpus callosum.
Tentorium cerebelli- separates the occipital lobes from the cerebellum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What fibres do dorsal roots carry?

Where do the cell bodies lie?

A

Afferent fibres.

The cell bodies lie in the dorsal root ganglia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What fibres to ventral roots carry?

Where do the cell bodies lie?

A

Efferent fibres.

The cell bodies lie within the spinal grey matter.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

At what level does the spinal cord end?

A

At the IV disc, between L1 and L2.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

At which levels of the spinal cord are there lateral grey horns?
What do they contain?

A

T1-L2. They contain preganglionic sympathetic neurones.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the folds of the grey matter of the cerebellum called?

A

Folia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What separates the two sides of the diencephalon?

A

The lumen of the third ventricle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is another name for the pituitary stalk?

A

The infundibulum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the name for the convolutions of the grey matter of the cerebrum and the furrows between them?

A

Gyri (single gyrus) and sulci (single sulcus)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What separates the parietal and occipital lobes on the medial surface of the hemisphere?

A

The parieto-occipital sulcus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What sulcus runs parallel to upper margin of the corpus callosum on the medial aspect of the cerebral hemisphere?

A

The cingulate sulcus (the cingulate gyrus lies superior to this).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What structures form the limbic lobe?

A

Cingulate gyrus, hippocampal formation and amygdala.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are the general senses?

A

Touch, pressure, pain, temperature, proprioception

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What carries general sensory information from the head?

A

The trigeminal nerve (CNV)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

For all general sensory modalities, how many neurones are in the pathway and where are they located? Describe the pathway.

A

3.
The first order neurone enters the spinal cord through a spinal nerve (or the brainstem through the trigeminal nerve). Cell body located in dorsal root ganglion.
The second order neurone has its cell body in the spinal cord or brainstem. Its axon decussates and ascends to the thalamus.
The third order neurone has its cell body in the thalamus and its axon projects to the somatosensory cortex.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is somatotopic organisation?

A

Spatial segregation of the neurones representing different parts of the body in the central projections of the somatosensory system. (most dramatically demonstrated at the level of the cerebral cortex).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What are the major sensory pathways?
The dorsal column/medial lemniscus system and the spinothalamic tract.
26
What usually causes neurological disorders of a) sudden/acute dramatic onset b) subacute (within 1 week or so) onset c) Relapsing and remitting course d) chronic course?
a) Trauma, vascular b) Inflammatory (infective/immune) c) Inflammatory (immune) d) Neoplasia, neurodegenerative
27
What does dissociated sensory loss mean? What does this finding suggest?
The clinical finding of selective loss of the modalities of touch and proprioception, with preservation of pain and temperature modalities (or vice versa). It suggests the presence of an intrinsic, focal lesion within the spinal cord or brainstem.
28
What does a lesion of the dorsal columns of one side of the spinal cord cause?
Ipsilateral loss of touch/proprioception below the level of the lesion.
29
What does a unilateral lesion of the spinothalamic tract cause?
A contralateral loss of pain/temperature below the level of the lesion.
30
Describe Brown-Sequard syndrome.
A unilateral lesion of the thoracic spinal cord leading to an ipsilateral loss of touch sensation and proprioception and contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation, and an ipsilateral 'pyramidal weakness', below the level of the lesion.
31
What is the pattern of sensory loss caused by lesions of the upper brainstem or cerebral hemisphere?
Loss of all sensation on the contralateral side of the body.
32
Describe the lower motor neurone syndrome (i.e. the symptoms and signs that occur with a lower motor neurone lesion?
``` Weakness or paralysis of individual muscles Wasting of muscles Fasciculations Hypotonia Hyporeflexia/areflexia ```
33
Describe the upper motor neurone syndrome (i.e. the symptoms and signs that occur with an upper motor neurone lesion?
Weakness of specific muscles (pyramidal weakness) No wasting of muscles Hyperreflexia Spasticity Positive babinski (extensor plantar) response Absent abdominal reflexes
34
Describe a positive babinski reflex. What is this sign pathognomic of?
Dorsiflexion of the great flow on stimulation of the sole of the foot. This is pathognomic of corticospinal tract damage.
35
Describe the cerebellar syndrome caused by lesions of the cerebellar pathways.
``` Dysdiadochokinesis Ataxia Nystagmus Intention tremour Slurred speech Heel-shin test (incoordination) ``` The signs occur ipsilateral to the cerebellar lesion. + absence of weakness or loss of sensation
36
What is Romberg's sign? What does it suggest? Does this occur with lesions of the cerebellar pathways?
When patients close their eyes and readily lose their balance. This suggests sensory ataxia. This does not happen with lesions of the cerebellar pathways.
37
What is the neurotransmitter released at synapses between motor neurones and striated muscles?
Acetylcholine.
38
What is the principle excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
Glutamate/glutamic acid
39
What is the principle inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
GABA/gamma aminobutyric acid
40
What opening connects the fourth ventricle with the subarachnoid space on each side? Where is this?
The Foramen of Lushka or lateral aperture. | In the cerebellopontine angle.
41
Name the different parts of the lateral ventricle.
Anterior horn Posterior horn Inferior horn Body
42
Which channels connect the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle in the midline?
The foramina of Monro
43
What median aperture provides communication between the 4th ventricle and the Cisterna magna of the subarachnoid space?
The foramen of Magendie.
44
Where does most CSF from the 4th ventricle flow to?
Most CSF passes through the median aperture/foramen of Magendie into the cisterna magna of the subarachnoid space.
45
Where is the cisterna magna located?
Between the medulla and the cerebellum.
46
Which sinus is CSF principally reabsorbed into?
The superior sagittal sinus.
47
Describe the arachnoid granulations and their function.
They are invaginations of arachnoid mater through the dural wall and into the lumen of the dural sinuses. Reabsorption of CSF into the sinuses occurs at these sites because the hydrostatic pressure in the SA space is higher than that in the lumen of the sinus and because of the greater colloid osmotic pressure of venous blood compared to CSF.
48
Describe the acute thoracic cord syndrome and what causes it.
Occlusion of the anterior spinal artery. Paraplegia and incontinence. The spinothalamic modalities of pain and temperature are preferentially lost, the proprioceptive functions of the dorsal columns are relatively preserved.
49
What parts of the brain does the middle cerebral artery supply?
Virtually the whole lateral surface of the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes. Its territory includes the primary motor and sensory cortices for the whole body excluding the lower limb. It also serves the auditory cortex and the insula.
50
From which arteries do the vertebral arteries arise?
The subclavian arteries.
51
Which hole do the vertebral arteries pass through to enter the cranial cavity?
The foramen magnum.
52
What parts of the brain does the posterior cerebral artery supply?
The visual cortex of the occipital lobe | The inferomedial aspect of the temporal lobe.
53
Which brain regions are supplied by the vertebrobasilar system?
The brainstem, cerebellum and occipital lobe.
54
What symptoms are associated with strokes related to the carotid artery and its cerebral branches?
Focal epilepsy A contralateral sensory/motor deficit A psychological deficit e.g. aphasia
55
What symptoms are associated with strokes involving the vertebrobasilar circulation?
A focal brainstem syndrome.
56
Where do the superficial veins of the brain lie?
In the subarachnoid space.
57
What is the name of where the superior sagittal sinus converges with the straight sinus? What does this lie adjacent to?
The confluence of the sinuses. | This lies adjacent to the internal occipital protuberance.
58
Where does blood flow to from the confluence of the sinuses?
The transverse sinus, then the sigmoid sinus which joins the internal jugular vein at the jugular foramen.
59
Which bone does the cavernous lie lateral to?
The sphenoid bone.
60
When can thrombosis of the sagittal sinuses occur?
Childbirth, blood clotting disorders and ear infection.
61
What are the clinical features of cavernous sinus thrombosis?
Acute pain and swelling of the orbit and contents Ophthalmoplegia Ptosis Numbness of the face
62
Which cranial nerves have their nuclei in the brainstem?
CN III - CN XII
63
Where is the reticular formation? | What are some of its functions?
In the brainstem. Functions: control over the level of consciousness, the perception of pain and regulation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Also influences movement, posture and muscle tone through connections with CN nuclei, the cerebellum, the brainstem and spinal motor mechanisms.
64
Where are the nuclei cuneatus and gracilis? What are the names of the elevations which mark them?
The medulla. | The gracile and cuneate tubercles.
65
Which cranial nerve emerges immediately inferior to the inferior colliculus?
The trochlear nerve (CN IV)
66
What is the name of the structure lateral to the pyramid on the medulla? What does it contain?
The olive. It contains the inferior olivary nucleus which has connections with the cerebellum and is involved in the control of movement.
67
Which part of the brainstem are the 2 crus cerebri part of? What are they continuous with superiorly?
The midbrain. | They are continuous with the internal capsule of the cerebral hemispheres.
68
What spinal cord feature is the trigeminal sensory nucleus homologous with? Where is it?
The dorsal horn. | It spans the whole brainstem and extends into the upper segments of the spinal cord.
69
Describe the route of nerve fibres in the dorsal column/medial lemniscus system.
The dorsal columns consist of first order sensory neurones, the cell bodies of which lie in the dorsal root ganglia of spinal nerves. The fibres ascend ipsilaterally into the medulla. The fibres terminate in the nuclei gracilis and cuneatus upon the cell bodies of second order neurons. The axons of the second order neurons course ventrally and medially as internal arcuate fibres decussating in the midline. Then they pass into the medial lemniscus which runs through the rostral medulla, pons and midbrain to terminate upon third order neurons in the thalamus.
70
What links the vestubular nuclei with the nuclei supplying the extraocular muscles within the brainstem? What is its function?
The medial longitudinal fasciculus. It is involved in the coordination of head and eye movements.
71
What is another name for the inferior cerebellar peduncle?
The restiform body

Neurology (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions