Week 1 - WET

Question 1

In which cranial fossa does the brainstem lie?

Answer 1

Posterior

Question 2

Embryologically, which two vesicles of the neural tube give rise to the brainstem?

Answer 2

Midbrain (mesencephalon)

Hindbrain (rhomboencephalon —-> metencephalon + myelencephalon)

• metencephalon —> pons + cerebellum
• myelencephalon –> medulla

Question 3

What are the cavities (of the ventricular system) that lie within the brainstem?

Answer 3

Cerebral aqueduct

4th ventricle

Question 4

Which cranial nerves emerge from the pontomedullary junction?

Answer 4

VI, VII, VIII

Question 5

Which of these cranial nerves that emerge from the pontomedullary junction has the longest intracranial course?

Answer 5

VI

Question 6

In the medulla, what are the pyramids?

Answer 6

(Descending) Tracts of motor fibres

Question 7

Posteriorly on the medulla, identify the parts of the medulla known as the “open” and “closed” part. Which of these is superior and which inferior?

Answer 7

Open = superior

Question 8

What structure does the “open” part of the medulla open onto?

Answer 8

4th ventricle

Question 9

Through which foramen does the medulla pass to become the spinal cord?

Answer 9

Foramen Magnum

Question 10

What is the middle cerebellar peduncle made up of?

Answer 10

Centripetal fibres (incoming fibres)

Question 11

What part of the brain lies:

1) immediately superior to the midbrain?………………………….
2) immediately inferior to the midbrain?……………………….

Answer 11

1) Diencephalon
2) Pons

Question 12

Regarding the midbrain, what kind of fibres make up the cerebral peduncles and where are they destined for?

Answer 12

Projection - consist of both afferent and efferent nerve fibers that connect the brain with the spinal cord

Question 13

Which two parts of the brain does the diencephalon lie between?

Answer 13

Fornix

Midbrain

Question 14

What does the diencephalon consist of?

Answer 14

Thalamus

Hypothalamus

Question 15

What are the surface projections visible on the surface of the hypothalamus called?

Answer 15

Mamillary bodies

Question 16

What is the epithalamus ?

Answer 16

The epithalamus is a small region of the diencephalon consisting of the pineal gland, and 2 other things

Question 17

What is the name given to the midline structure connecting the two cerebellar hemispheres?

Answer 17

Vermis

Question 18

Name the 3 lobes of the cerebellum.

Answer 18

Anterior

Posterior

Flocculo-nodular

Question 19

To what part(s) of the brain is the cerebellum anatomically connected to by peduncles?

Answer 19

Brainstem

Question 20

Name the cranial fossa that the cerebellum is in contact with

Answer 20

Posterior

Question 21

Identify the foramen in the skull that the cerebellum sits above

Answer 21

Foramen Magnum

Question 22

The part of the cerebellum that sits atop this foramen is called the …………………

Answer 22

Tonsils

Question 23

In instances where there is a sudden drop in intracranial pressure, the tonsils may herniate through this foramen. What is this called?

Answer 23

Cerebellar coning

Question 24

What name is given to the large fissure separating the two cerebral hemispheres?

Answer 24

Median Longitudinal Fissure

Question 25

What type of nerve fibres are most likely to be carried in the corpus callosum?

Answer 25

Commisural - axons that **connect** the two hemispheres of the brain

Question 26

Which lobe contains the Primary Motor Cortex?

Answer 26

Frontal lobe

Question 27

Which lobe contains the Primary Visual Cortex?

Answer 27

Occipital

Question 28

Which lobe contains the Primary Sensory Cortex?

Answer 28

Parietal

Question 29

Which lobe contains the Primary Auditory Cortex?

Answer 29

Temporal

Question 30

At what vertebral level does the spinal cord terminate in: a) the adult…………………………………………. b) the new born………………………………………………..

Answer 30

adult = L1/L2 New born = L3/L4

Question 31

At what vertebral level does the dura terminate?

Answer 31

S2

Question 32

At what vertebral level does the arachnoid terminate?

Answer 32

S2

Question 33

What happens to the pia mater inferior to the spinal cord?

Answer 33

Continues as filum terminale

Question 34

At what vertebral level would you perform a lumbar puncture on an adult?

Answer 34

L3/L4

Question 35

How would you position the patient to gain access to the lumbar cistern and why?

Answer 35

Foetal position - maximise gap between lumbar vertebrae

Question 36

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 36

31

Question 37

Is damage to the cauda equina classified as an upper or lower motor neurone lesion?

Answer 37

LMN