Study Guide: Structure and Organization of the CNS Flashcards
1
Q
Body plans affect:
A
CNS organization
2
Q
Vertebrates share a common CNS structure:
A
Brain + spinal cord
3
Q
From rostral to caudal, the brain consists of:
A
(1) Prosencephalon (forebrain)
(2) Mesencephalon (midbrain)
(3) Rhombencephalon (hindbrain)
4
Q
The prosencephalon (forebrain) is the most __ part of the CNS:
A
rostral
5
Q
The prosencephalon is divided into (2):
A
(1) Telencephalon
(2) Diencephalon
6
Q
prosencephalon =
A
forebrain
7
Q
telencephalon =
A
cerebrum = endbrain
8
Q
The telencephalon (1/2 prosencephalon) is composed of:
A
the cerebral cortex and subcortical nuclei (basal ganglia : striatum + palladium)
9
Q
basal ganglia composed of (2):
A
striatum and pallidum
10
Q
The striatum is made up of:
A
The caudate nucleus and putamen
11
Q
palladium is made up of:
A
internal/external globus pallidus
12
Q
Diencephalon (1/2 prosencephalon)is composed of (2):
A
thalamus and hypothalamus
13
Q
Moving caudally, after the prosencephalon is the:
A
mesencephalon (midbrain)
14
Q
The mesencephalon (midbrain) is divided into (2):
A
(1) tectum (dorsal: includes superior and inferior colliculi)
(2) tegmentum (ventral)
15
Q
After the mesencephalon is the :
A
rhombencephalon (hindbrain_
16
Q
Rhombencephalon =
A
hindbrain
17
Q
The rhombencephalon (hindbrain) is divided into (2):
A
(1) Pons + cerebellum
(2) medulla oblongata
18
Q
Caudal to the hindbrain (rhombencephalon) is:
A
the spinal cord
19
Q
The vertebrate CNS plan remains SIMILAR ACROSS SPECIES but divisions vary in:
A
proportions
20
Q
Navigating the brain in space: planes of section (3):
A
(1) Coronal
(2) Sagittal
(3) Horizontal / axial
21
Q
Navigating the brain in space: directions / axes in space:
A
(1) Rostral/ caudal
(2) Medial / lateral
(3) Dorsal / ventral
22
Q
CNS structure evolved progressively from:
A
simpler chordates to complex vertebrates
23
Q
Early chordates had a __ , which in vertebrates is currently present only in early embryonic stages
A
NOTOCHORD
24
Q
The notochord that is currently only present in early embryonic stages later forms :
A
the vertebral column
25
The 5 evolutionary steps of the vertebrate CNS: Step 1: Early chordates have simple neural tubes, at the rostral end of which evolved:
3 primary brain vesicles: Hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain
26
The 5 evolutionary steps of the vertebrate CNS: STEP 2: expansion of _, which permitted:
Expansion of hindbrain, permitting greater complexity of sensory inputs and motor outputs
27
The 5 evolutionary steps of the vertebrate CNS: Step 3:
First expansion of the forebrain, driven by the development of the olfactory system
28
5 evolutionary steps of the vertebrate CNS: Step 4
EXPANSION of the MIDBRAIN , driven by the DEVELOPMENT of the VISUAL and AUDITORY SYSTEMS on the sensory side, and the need to control head and eye movements in response to sensory stimulation on the motor side
29
5 evolutionary steps of the vertebrate CNS: STEP 5:
SECOND and THIRD expansions of the forebrain (in mammals, development of the neocortex), allowing for more sophisticated sensory and motor processing integrations. ** Different species exhibit varying degrees of forebrain and in particular neocortical expansion***
30
The CNS develops progressively from a:
single fertilized cell to complex structures
31
Three Primary Brain Vesicles:
(1) Forebrain (prosencephalon)
(2) Midbrain (Mesencephalon)
(3) Hindbrain (Rhombencephalon)
32
In humans, the growing __ takes a “C” shape
telencephalon
33
In humans, the growing telencephalon takes a “C” shape, and __ follow suit
subcortical structures:
Hippocampus
Lateral Ventricles
Caudate nucleus
34
Somatosensory Circuits:
Process sensory input (touch, pain, temperature)
35
Hearing, Vision, and Olfaction Circuits:
Dedicated sensory pathways
36
Motor Circuits:
Control voluntary and involuntary movement
37
Cortical Functional Organization:
Higher-order processing and cognition
38
Limbic Circuits:
Emotional processing and memory formation (includes hippocampus).
39
Basal ganglia involved in (2):
movement regulation
precedural learning
40
Hippocampus involved in:
memory formation and spatial navigation
41
In the forebrain, basal ganglia comprises (3):
(1) caudate nucleus
(2) putamen
(3) globus pallidus
42
What are the meninges?
Protective layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
43
What are the three meninges?
Dura
Arachnoid
Pia
44
Spinal cord functions as:
as the communication highway between the brain and the body
45
Spinal cord organized into:
different levels with specific roles (motor control, sensory input, reflexes
46
dura:
1/3 of the meninges: thick fibrous layer
47
pia:
1/3 of the meninges:
innermost layer
48
arachnoid:
1/3 of the meninges
49
cerebrospinal fluid lies between which two meninges ?
between the arachnoid and pia
50
Brodmann areas are
a historically important division of the cerebral cortex into distinct regions based on their cytoarchitecture or neurons' arrangement and connections.
51
1. What is the most rostral portion of the CNS?
a) Midbrain
b) Hindbrain
c) Endbrain (telencephalon in proencephalon)
d) Tweenbrain
c) Endbrain (telencephalon in proencephalon)
52
2. The telencephalon includes which of the following structures?
a) Thalamus and hypothalamus
b) Cerebral cortex and basal ganglia
c) Pons and medulla
d) Spinal cord and brainstem
b) Cerebral cortex and basal ganglia
53
3. The vertebrate CNS follows a common basic plan but varies in:
a) The presence of a spinal cord
b) The proportions of major structures
c) The existence of a diencephalon
d) The number of sensory organs
b) The proportions of major structures
54
4. What are the primary planes of brain sectioning?
a) Axial, diagonal, coronal
b) Coronal, sagittal, horizontal
c) Sagittal, tangential, frontal
d) Transverse, coronal, medial
Coronal, sagittal, horizontal
55
5. During vertebrate CNS evolution, which brain region expanded the most in mammals?
a) Medulla
b) Hindbrain
c) Neocortex
d) Brainstem
c) Neocortex
56
6. Which of the following is true regarding CNS evolution?
a) All vertebrates have an identical brain structure
b) Brain structures expanded to different degrees in different species
c) The neocortex is smallest in mammals
d) The forebrain did not evolve in chordates
Brain structures expanded to different degrees in different species
57
7. What are the three primary brain vesicles that develop early in the embryo?
a) Prosencephalon, metencephalon, myelencephalon
b) Hippocampus, basal ganglia, pons
c) Cerebrum, thalamus, cerebellum
d) Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon, Rhombencephalon
d) Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon, Rhombencephalon
58
8. In humans, telencephalic structures adopt a characteristic:
a) “C” shape
b) “L” shape
c) “O” shape
d) “S” shape
a) “C” shape
59
9. The central nervous system (CNS) arises from which embryonic layer?
a) Endoderm
b) Mesoderm
c) Ectoderm
d) Neuroderm
c) Ectoderm
60
10. Brodmann areas refer to:
a) Specific cortical regions characterized by a uniform cytoarchitecture
b) Segments of the spinal cord
c) The meninges covering the brain
d) The divisions of the ventricular system
a) Specific cortical regions characterized by a uniform cytoarchitecture
61
11. Which of the following circuits is primarily involved in emotional processing?
a) Somatosensory circuits
b) Motor circuits
c) Limbic circuits
d) Visual circuits
c) Limbic circuits
62
12. Which of the following structures is not part of the basal ganglia?
a) Caudate nucleus
b) Putamen
c) Hypothalamus
d) Globus pallidus
c) Hypothalamus
63
13. The meninges provide protection for the CNS. Which of the following is not a meningeal layer?
a) Dura mater
b) Pia mater
c) Arachnoid mater
d) Choroid plexus
d) Choroid plexus
64
14. What is the function of the ventricular system?
a) Neural signal transmission
b) Blood circulation in the brain
c) Production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
d) Memory storage
c) Production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
65
15. The spinal cord serves as:
a) A region dedicated to voluntary movement
b) A major communication pathway between the brain and the body
c) The primary site for processing vision
d) A structure only involved in reflexes
b) A major communication pathway between the brain and the body
66
16. In the rat brain, which view allows for the observation of brain structures in a side profile?
a) Coronal view
b) Horizontal view
c) Sagittal view
d) Transverse view
c) Sagittal view
67
17. The olfactory bulb is primarily responsible for processing:
a) Vision
b) Hearing
c) Smell
d) Motor coordination
c) Smell
68
18. The vertebrate CNS is structurally similar across species, but one key difference is:
a) Some vertebrates lack a cerebellum
b) The size and complexity of the cerebral cortex
c) The presence of a spinal cord in some species but not others
d) Only mammals have a diencephalon
b) The size and complexity of the cerebral cortex
69
19. Which of the following correctly describes the diencephalon?
a) It includes the hippocampus and basal ganglia
b) It consists of the thalamus and hypothalamus
c) It is part of the hindbrain
d) It is primarily responsible for voluntary movement
b) It consists of the thalamus and hypothalamus
70
20. Which structure is part of the telencephalon?
a) Cerebellum
b) Cerebral cortex
c) Thalamus
d) Superior colliculus
b) Cerebral cortex
71
21. The primary function of the basal ganglia is:
a) Processing sensory input
b) Regulating movement and motor learning
c) Controlling body temperature
d) Generating emotions
b) Regulating movement and motor learning
72
22. In early vertebrates, which brain structure underwent the first expansion?
a) Hindbrain
b) Midbrain
c) Forebrain
d) Spinal cord
a) Hindbrain
73
23. During CNS evolution, the expansion of the neocortex is most evident in:
a) Fish
b) Amphibians
c) Mammals
d) Reptiles
c) Mammals
74
24. Which of the following statements about early chordates is true?
a) They had a fully developed vertebral column
b) Their nervous system was organized into a simple neural tube
c) They lacked a notochord
d) They had a highly developed neocortex
b) Their nervous system was organized into a simple neural tube
75
25. In vertebrates, what is the function of the notochord during embryonic development?
a) It serves as the precursor to the spinal cord
b) It helps guide the development of the CNS
c) It directly transforms into the brainstem
d) It remains unchanged throughout life
b) It helps guide the development of the CNS
76
26. The tectum of the midbrain includes structures such as:
a) the subthalamic nucleus
b) the ventral tegmental area
c) the hypothalamus
d) the superior and inferior colliculi
d) the superior and inferior colliculi
77
27. The embryonic rhombencephalon gives rise to all of the following structures except:
a) Medulla oblongata
b) Cerebellum
c) Pons
d) Thalamus
d) Thalamus
78
28. Which of the following best describes the function of the thalamus?
a) It serves as a sensory relay station to the cortex
b) It controls voluntary movement
c) It processes emotions and motivation
d) It coordinates reflexes and balance
It serves as a sensory relay station to the cortex
79
29. The cerebellum is responsible for:
a) Regulating homeostasis
b) Controlling breathing and heart rate
c) sensory-motor integration, coordinating movements and balance
d) Processing olfactory signals
c) sensory-motor integration, coordinating movements and balance
80
30. Which of the following statements is false regarding cortical functional organization?
a) Different brain regions specialize in different functions
b) The prefrontal cortex is involved in decision-making
c) The motor cortex processes sensory input
d) The somatosensory cortex maps the body's tactile information
c) The motor cortex processes sensory input
81
31. Which of the following brain structures is most directly associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production?
a) Basal ganglia
b) Meninges
c) Choroid plexus
d) Internal capsule
c) Choroid plexus
82
32. Which statement best describes the role of the meninges?
a) They regulate neurotransmitter release
b) They protect and cushion the brain and spinal cord
c) They produce cerebrospinal fluid
d) They directly control heart rate and breathing
b) They protect and cushion the brain and spinal cord
83
33. The internal capsule primarily contains:
a) Sensory neurons
b) Ascending and descending fiber tracts connecting the cortex and subcortical regions
c) Fluid-filled ventricles
d) The primary motor cortex
b) Ascending and descending fiber tracts connecting the cortex and subcortical regions
84
34. The spinal cord’s dorsal horns are associated with:
a) afferent sensory inputs
b) decision-making
c) efferent motor outputs
d) emotional regulation
a) afferent sensory inputs
