Neurologic System: A&P

Question 1

Central Nervous System

Answer 1

includes the brain and spinal cord

Question 2

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 2

the cerebrum outer layer of nerve cell bodies, humans’ highest functions - governing thought, memory, reasoning, sensation and voluntary movement

Question 3

Cerebral Hemispheres

Answer 3

each half of the cerebrum is a hemisphere; the L hemisphere is dominant in most people

Question 4

Frontal Lobe

Answer 4

area concerned with personality, behavior, emotions and intellectual function; precentral gyrus initiates involuntary movement

Question 5

Broca’s Area

Answer 5

in frontal lobe, mediates motor speech

if damaged, expressive aphasia results and person cannot talk.

Question 6

Parietal Lobe

Answer 6

post central gyrus is the primary center for sensation

Question 7

Occipital Lobe

Answer 7

primary visual receptor center

Question 8

Temporal Lobe

Answer 8

primary auditory reception center

taste and smell

Question 9

Wernicke’s Area

Answer 9

in temporal lobe, is associated with language comprehension.

when damaged, receptive aphasia results - person hears but it has no meaning.

Question 10

Basal Ganglia

Answer 10

• bands of gray matter buried deep within two cerebral hemispheres that forms the extrapyramidal system
• controls automatic associated movements of the body

Question 11

Thalamus

Answer 11

main relay station for the nervous system where sensory pathways of the spinal cord, cerebellum, basal ganglia and brainstem form synapses.
has connections that are crucial to human emotion and creativity.

Question 12

Hypothalamus

Answer 12

major control center with many vital functions

Question 13

The hypothalamus controls what functions?

Answer 13

temperature*
heart rate
b/p control
sleep center
anterior and posterior pituitary gland regulator
coordinator of autonomic nervous system activity and emotional status

Question 14

Cerebellum

Answer 14

a coiled structure located under the occipital lobe that is concerned with motor coordination of voluntary movements, equilibrium and muscle tone
it does not initiate movement but coordinates and smooths movement

Question 15

Brain Stem

Answer 15

central core of the brain consisting of mostly nerve fibers

Question 16

Midbrain

Answer 16

anterior part of brain stem that still has the basic tubular structure of the spinal cord
merges into thalamus and hypothalamus

Question 17

Pons

Answer 17

enlarged area containing ascending and descending fiber tracts.
has two respiratory centers that coordinate with the main respiratory center in the medulla.

Question 18

Medulla

Answer 18

continuation of the spinal cord in the brain, contains all ascending and descending fiber tracts connecting the brain and spinal cord, vital autonomic centers (respiration, heart and GI function)

Question 19

Spinal Cord

Answer 19

• long cylindrical structure that occupies the upper 2/3 of the vertebral canal
• it is the main highway for ascending and descending fiber tracts that connect the brain to the spinal nerves and mediates reflexes

Question 20

Cerebellar System

Answer 20

complex motor system coordinates movement, maintains equilibrium and helps maintain posture on a subconscious level

Question 21

Upper Motor Neurons

Answer 21

all the descending motor fibers that can influence or modify the lower motor neurons
upper motor neurons are located completely with the CNS
know what diseases go along with which neurons?

Question 22

Lower Motor Neurons

Answer 22

• located mostly in the peripheral nervous system, the cell body of the lower motor neuron is located in the anterior gray column of the spinal cord, but the nerve fiber extends from here to the muscle
• any movement must be translated into action by lower motor neuron fibers
• Know what diseases go along with which motor neurons

Question 23

Peripheral Nervous System includes

Answer 23

includes the 12 pairs of cranial nerves, 21 spinal nerves and all their branches

Question 24

Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 24

carries sensory messages to the CNS through afferent fibers

Question 25

Cranial Nerves

Answer 25

• enter/exit the brain
• the 12 pairs of cranial nerves supply primarily the head and neck, except the vagus nerve - which travels to heart, respiratory muscles, stomach and gallbladder

Question 26

Spinal Nerves

Answer 26

arise from the length of the spinal cord and supply the rest of the body - 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 1 coccygeal - contains both sensory and motor fibers

Question 27

Dermatome

Answer 27

circumscribed skin area that is supplied mainly from one spinal cord segment through a particular spinal nerve

Question 28

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 28

• the peripheral nervous system is composed of cranial nerves and spinal nerves
• these nerves carry fibers that can be divided functionally into two parts - somatic and autonomic

Question 29

Somatic

Answer 29

somatic fibers innervate the skeletal (voluntary) muscles

Question 30

Autonomic

Answer 30

innervate smooth (involuntary) muscles, cardiac muscles and glands, mediates unconscious activity, overall function is to maintain homeostasis of the body

Question 31

Reflex Arc

Answer 31

reflexes are basic defense mechanisms of the nervous system

they are involuntary and help the body maintain balance and appropriate muscle tone

Question 32

Reflexes include

Answer 32

Deep Tendon Reflexes - i.e patellar
Superficial Reflexes - i.e cornea, abdominal
Visceral Reflexes - i.e pupillary response to light
Pathologic Reflexes (abnormal) - i.e. babinski

Question 33

Lateral Spinothalamic Tract

Answer 33

contains fibers carrying pain and temperature sensations

Question 34

Culture and Genetics

Answer 34

Racial/Ethnic Disparity noted relative to strokes: 4% African American, 6% Indians/Alaska Natives, 2.5% Hispanics
Geographic Disparity relative to strokes.

Question 35

Anterior Spinothalamic Tract

Answer 35

sensations of crude touch form the anterior spinothalamic tract

Question 36

Spinothalamic Tract

Answer 36

contains sensory fibers that transmit the sensations of pain, temperature, and crude or light touch.

Question 37

Corticospinal fibers

Answer 37

aka pyramidal tract

mediate voluntary movement, particularly very skilled, discrete, and purposeful movements, such as writing.