The Central Nervous System 1

Question 1

The 4 CNS components?

Answer 1

Cerebellum
Cerebrum
Brainstem
Spinal cord

Question 2

3 divisions of the brain?

Answer 2

Forebrain
Midbrain
Hindbrain

Question 3

3 brainstem components?

Answer 3

Midbrain
Pons
Medulla

Question 4

What is divides the two hemispheres of the brain and what forebrain structure lies between the two hemispheres?

Answer 4

Mid-saggital line divides the two hemispheres

Diencephalon sits between them

Question 5

What are the folds, grooves, and the groove running between the two hemispheres called?

Answer 5

Folds - Gyri
Grooves - Sulci
Groove between the two hemispheres is a deep longitudinal fissure

Question 6

Components of the brain moving downward?

Answer 6

Cerebral hemispheres
Diencephalon
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla
Cerebellum (lies behind pons and medulla) 
(Spinal cord)

Question 7

2 divisions of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 7

Primary cortical areas

Associated cortical areas

Question 8

The 4 primary cortical areas and their functions?

Answer 8

Primary motor cortex - effector/motor functions
Primary somatosensory cortex - Receives sensory input from body
Primary visual cortex - first location to receive input from retina
Primary auditory cortex - First location to receive input from the inner ear

Question 9

The 2 associated cortical areas and their functions?

Answer 9

Broca’s area - involved in producing intelligible speech

Wernicke’s area - involved in comprehension of language

Question 10

The 4 cortical areas and position relative to “centre” of the brain?

Answer 10

Frontal lobe - anterior
Parietal lobe - supero-posterior
Occipital lobe - posterior
Temporal lobe - inferior

Question 11

The 4 main grooves in the brain?

Answer 11

Deep longitudinal fissure
Central sulcus
Lateral fissure
Parietal-occipital sulcus

Question 12

What does the deep longitudinal fissure divide?

Answer 12

The two hemispheres of the brain

Question 13

What does the central sulcus divide?

Answer 13

The frontal and parietal lobes

Question 14

What does the lateral fissure divide?

Answer 14

The frontal and temporal lobes

Question 15

What does the parietal-occipital sulcus divide? (cookie for getting this)

Answer 15

The parietal and occipital lobes

Question 16

What is the corpus callosum?

Answer 16

A C-shaped structure that interconnects corresponding parts of the 2 hemispheres across the midline

Question 17

What are the basal ganglia?

Answer 17

Groups of neurones referred to as nuclei within each hemisphere
Responsible for control of movement and nerve signalling in the brain

Question 18

What two structures make up the diencephalon and where is it?

Answer 18

Thalamus and hypothalamus (below and anterior to thalamus)

Lies between the two hemispheres

Question 19

What other structures lie within the diencephalon?

Answer 19

Optic chiama/nerve

Infundibulum (stalk of pituitary gland)

Question 20

Roles of the thalamus and hypothalamus?

Answer 20

Thalamus - relay of information between brainstem and cerebral cortex
Hypothalamus - coordination of homeostatic mechanisms, interface between CNS, ANS, and endocrine system

Question 21

Brainstem roles?

Answer 21

Controls vital functions such as respiration, consciousness, sleep cycle, blood pressure
Controls cranial nerve functions

Question 22

Cerebellum location, surface type, structure and function?

Answer 22

Posterior to pons and medulla
Folded surface similar to hemispheres
Structure of two lateral hemispheres and a midline
Function is to coordinate movement

Question 23

Which nervous system are the cranial nerves part of and what are their functions?

Answer 23

Form part of the PNS
Supply sensory and motor innervations to the head
Autonomic (parasympathetic) innervation to head, thoracic and abdominal organs
Involved in special sense e.g. vision, hearing, balance

Question 24

What are the meninges from outside in?

Answer 24

Three membranes enclosing brain and spinal cord for protection
Dura mater - attached to bone
Arachnoid membrane - attached to underside of dura
Pia mater - Adheres to surface of brain/spinal cord

Question 25

2 clinical problems with the meninges?

Answer 25

Obstruction of CSF flow in subarachnoid space

Bleeding between layers - stroke

Question 26

Spinal cord functions?

Answer 26

Supplies motor, sensory and autonomic (parasympathetic) innervations to spinal nerves
Mediates reflexes