Neurodevelopment and brain anatomy

Question 1

When does gastrulation occurs? (1)

Answer 1

Around 3-weeks post fertilisation

Question 2

What is gastrulation? (1)

Answer 2

When blastula is reorganised into gastrula

Question 3

What are the three layers of the gastrula? (3)

Answer 3

Endoderm
Mesoderm
Ectoderm

Question 4

When does neural tube form? (1)

Answer 4

Around 4 weeks post-fertilisation, the embryo is called a neurula and neuralation begins

Question 5

Describe the process of neuralation (3)

Answer 5

Part of the ectoderm differentiates to form the neuroectoderm, which in turn transforms into the neural plate. The neural plate border separates it from the non-neuronal ectoderm

Neural plate borders elevate, causing the neural plate to fold into a neural tube

This closes around 4 weeks post-fertilisation and begins to develop into the CNS. The PNS is formed from neural crest cells

Question 6

Which acid helps the neural plate to form? (1)

Answer 6

Folic acid

Question 7

What is neurogenesis and what are the processes that occur after neurogenesis? (4)

Answer 7

Process of forming new neurones
Followed by migration, differentiation, and maturation

Question 8

What is meninges? (2)

Answer 8

3 membrane layers protecting the brain and spinal cord
Subarachnoid space contains CSF

Question 9

What is the ventricular system? (2)

Answer 9

Interconnected cavities where CSF is produced and circulated

Question 10

What is vasculature? (1)

Answer 10

The main arteries supplying the brain are the internal carotid and vertebral
There is also venous drainage

Question 11

Which major regions of the brain does the lateral view show? (3)

Answer 11

Cerebrum
Brainstem
Cerebellum

Question 12

What is the outermost layer of the cerebrum called? (1)

Answer 12

Cerebral cortex

Question 13

Which 2 major landmarks can be seen in the lateral surface? (2)

Answer 13

Two major sulky/fissures are visible:
Central sulcus - divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe
Lateral fissure - divides the frontal lobe from the temporal lobe

Question 14

What are the areas of the cerebral cortex (3)

Answer 14

Major motor control areas in the frontal lobe - primary motor cortex located on the pre central gyrus
Major sensory areas in the parietal lobe (primary somatosensory cortex located on post central gyrus), temporal lobe (auditory cortex), occipital lobe (visual cortex)

Question 15

What is the cerebral cortex composed of (3)

Answer 15

Motor areas
Sensory areas
Association areas

Question 16

Name the four association areas (4)

Answer 16

Parietal association
Temporal association
Frontal association
Occipital association

Question 17

What can parietal association cortex lesions cause? (2)

Answer 17

Deficits of attention - e.g. contralateral neglect

Question 18

What can temporal association cortex lesions cause? (2)

Answer 18

Deficits of recognition - e.g. prosopagnosia (face blindness)

Question 19

What can frontal association cortex lesions cause? (2)

Answer 19

Deficits in planning - e.g. delay specific neurones

Question 20

What can occipital association cortex lesions cause? (2)

Answer 20

Visual disturbances including hallucinations

Question 21

In which areas of the brain is language lateralised to? (2)

Answer 21

Broca’s area
Wernicke’s area

Question 22

Where is Broca’s area location and damage to this area can cause what? (2)

Answer 22

Frontal association cortex
Lesions affect ability to produce language efficiently (Broca’s aphasia)

Question 23

Where is Wernicke’s area location and damage to this area can cause what? (2)

Answer 23

Temporal association cortex
Damage results in speech that is fluent but makes little sense

Question 24

In the dorsal surface what divides the left and right hemisphere? (1)

Answer 24

Longitudinal fissure

Question 25

What is the central sulcus? (1)

Answer 25

Runs sideways in the dorsal view (from medial to lateral)

Question 26

What can be seen in the ventral surface? (5)

Answer 26

Olfactory bulb
Optic nerve and other cranial nerves
Cerebellum
Brainstem
Hypothalamus

Question 27

What is the brain stem made up of? (3)

Answer 27

Medulla
Pons
Midbrain

Question 28

What can be seen in the medial surface? (5)

Answer 28

Cerebellum
Parts of the brain stem
Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Pineal gland

Question 29

What is the function of the hippocampus? (1)

Answer 29

Learning and memory

Question 30

What is the function of the amygdala (1)

Answer 30

Fear and emotion processing