Week 6

Question 1

Aneurysm

Answer 1

A bulging or swelling of an artery caused by weakening of the artery’s walls.

Question 2

Anterior Cerebral Artery

Answer 2

The anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is one of the major arteries that supplies blood to the brain. It arises from the internal carotid artery and runs along the midline of the brain, just above the corpus callosum. The ACA supplies blood to the front and medial part of the brain, including the frontal lobes, parietal lobes, and parts of the basal ganglia and corpus callosum. The ACA plays a crucial role in many important functions, including movement, sensation, language, and decision-making.

Question 3

Association pathways

Answer 3

Travel between regions in the same hemisphere

Question 4

Basilar Artery

Answer 4

The basilar artery is a major blood vessel in the brain that supplies oxygenated blood to the brainstem, cerebellum, and the inner ear. It is formed by the union of two vertebral arteries that ascend from the neck through the spinal column, and then enter the skull through the foramen magnum.
Once inside the skull, the two vertebral arteries join together to form the basilar artery, which then branches into several smaller arteries that supply blood to different parts of the brain. The basilar artery is a critical part of the circulatory system in the brain, and any disruption or blockage in blood flow through this artery can lead to serious neurological complications, such as stroke or brain damage.

Question 5

Carotid artery

Answer 5

The carotid artery is a major blood vessel that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain, face, and neck. There are two carotid arteries in the human body, one on each side of the neck, and they are named the internal and external carotid arteries. The internal carotid artery is responsible for supplying blood to the brain, while the external carotid artery supplies blood

Question 6

Central Pattern
Generators (CPG)

Answer 6

AKA Reflex Arc refers to a neural pathway that mediates a reflex action. A reflex action is an automatic, involuntary response of the body to a stimulus.

Question 7

Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF)

Answer 7

Produced in each of the ventricles by the choroid plexus
Clear, straw-like
Flow between dura and pia mater

Question 8

Choroid Plexus

Answer 8

Produces CSF

Question 9

Circle of Willis

Answer 9

A series of anastomeses (connection or communication between two blood vessels). Designed for protection and aids in distribution and pressure of cranial circulation.

Question 10

Commissural pathways

Answer 10

Across hemispheres. Eg corpus callosum

Question 11

Contralateral

Answer 11

Opposite side of body of lesion

Question 12

Cortical Pathways

Answer 12

The neural pathways that connect different regions of the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain responsible for processing sensory information, motor control, and higher cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and language.
These pathways are composed of bundles of axons, the long fibres that transmit signals between neurons, and they allow information to be relayed between different regions of the cortex, as well as between the cortex and other parts of the brain.
Projection pathways
Association pathways
Commissural pathways

Question 13

Corticobulbar

Answer 13

Descending pathway - originates from motor cortex of brain to brainstem. Activation of muscles innervated by cranial nerves

Question 14

Corticospinal (pyramidal)
pathway

Answer 14

Descending pathway - originates from motor cortex of brain. Muscle movement, voluntary - large or small

Question 15

Descending pathways

Answer 15

Originates from cortex and brainstem - control of movement, muscle tone, spinal reflexes. Includes interneuron and motor neurons.

Question 16

Dorsal nerves

Answer 16

Run down the back of the spinal cord

Question 17

F. A. S. T.

Answer 17

FAST is an acronym used to help people quickly recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke so they can act quickly and get medical attention. The letters stand for:

F - Face drooping: One side of the face droops or is numb. When the person smiles, the smile is uneven.

A - Arm weakness: One arm is weak or numb. When the person raises both arms, one arm drifts downward.

S - Speech difficulty: Speech is slurred, and the person may have trouble speaking or understanding others.

T - Time to call 000: If any of these symptoms are present, call 000 immediately. Time is critical in treating a stroke, and the sooner the person receives medical attention, the better their chances of recovery.

Other symptoms could also be present such as sudden severe headache, vision changes, dizziness, or loss of balance may also be present.

Question 18

Fasciculi

Answer 18

AKA ‘tracts’ or ‘pathways’ - a bundle of neurons either ascending (efferent) or descending (afferent)

Question 19

Fasciculus cureatus

Answer 19

Ascending pathway - touch, pressure, vibration, kinaesthetic sense, muscle stretch upper extremities

Question 20

fasciculus gracilus

Answer 20

Ascending pathway - touch, pressure, vibration, kinaesthetic sense, muscle stretch lower extremities

Question 21

Hypotonia

Answer 21

Hypotonia is a medical term used to describe a state of abnormally low muscle tone or tension, which can cause reduced strength and control of movements. This means that the affected muscles may feel “floppy” or weak, and may not respond normally to stimulation. Hypotonia can affect different parts of the body, including the limbs, trunk, and face, and can be caused by various conditions or disorders that affect the nervous system or muscle function.

Question 22

Ipsilateral

Answer 22

Same side of body of lesion

Question 23

Lesion

Answer 23

A region in an organ or tissue which has been damaged through injury or disease

Question 24

LMN
(Lower Motor Neuron)

Answer 24

A synapsed message is received from the a UMN. The LMN is the final common pathway. Communicates directly with muscles.

Question 25

Middle Cerebral Artery

Answer 25

It arises from the internal carotid artery and runs laterally along the Sylvian fissure, which separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain. The MCA is responsible for supplying blood to important areas of the brain involved in movement, sensation, language, and cognition. It is also a common site of stroke, which occurs when the blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, usually due to a blood clot or a ruptured blood vessel.

Question 26

Neuroplasticity

Answer 26

The ability of the nervous system to change over time. Transfer of function to another centre. Reorganising connections. Strengthening connections over time.

Question 27

Palsy

Answer 27

Paralysis or loss of ability to move

Question 28

Pathway

Answer 28

AKA ‘fasciculi’ or ‘tracts’ - a bundle of neurons either ascending (efferent) or descending (afferent)

Question 29

Pathway directions

Answer 29

Ipsilateral (straight lines), contralateral (crosses over - this is called decussation) - majority of tracts do this

Question 30

Posterior Cerebral artery

Answer 30

A major blood vessel that supplies the posterior part of the brain with oxygen-rich blood. It arises from the basilar artery, which is formed by the union of the two vertebral arteries at the base of the brainstem.
The PCA is responsible for providing blood supply to the occipital lobe of the brain, which is responsible for visual processing. It also supplies the temporal lobe, which is involved in memory, hearing, and language processing.

Question 31

Projection pathways

Answer 31

Travel to and from the cortex to the brainstem/spinal cord eg corona radiata

Question 32

Receptors

Answer 32

External and internal (eg visceral). Detects a change in our environment
Surface receptors and deeper ones in terms of the muscle - there are different types for different info around our different senses.

Question 33

Reflex Arcs

Answer 33

AKA Central Pattern Generator
AKA Reflex Arc refers to a neural pathway that mediates a reflex action. A reflex action is an automatic, involuntary response of the body to a stimulus.

Question 34

Senses

Answer 34

Pain
Temperature
Mechanical (movement)
Kinaesthetic (where we are in space)
Vision
Olfactory (smell)
Audition (hearing)
Gustatory (taste)

Question 35

Sensory pathways

Answer 35

Nerve fibres are mixed or merge in the peripheral nerve. Fibres then divide and ascend in specialised columns.

Question 36

Spasticity

Answer 36

Spasticity is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness, which can result in involuntary muscle contractions, spasms, or jerky movements. It is often seen in people with neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injury.

Question 37

Spinal cord segments

Answer 37

Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal

Question 38

Spinocerebellar

Answer 38

Ascending pathway - muscle tension

Question 39

Spinothalamic

Answer 39

Lateral Ascending pathway (pain, thermal, sense); anterior (light touch)

Question 40

Superior and Inferior
cerebellar artery

Answer 40

The superior cerebellar artery and the inferior cerebellar artery are two of the three main arteries that supply blood to the cerebellum, a part of the brain that is responsible for motor control, balance, and coordination
The superior cerebellar artery arises from the basilar artery, which is formed by the fusion of the two vertebral arteries that run along the spine. It travels upward and branches off into several smaller vessels that supply blood to the upper part of the cerebellum and the midbrain.
The inferior cerebellar artery, also known as the posterior inferior cerebellar artery, arises from the vertebral artery and supplies blood to the lower part of the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata, which is the lowest part of the brainstem.
Damage or blockage of either the superior or inferior cerebellar artery can lead to cerebellar infarction, which can cause symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty with coordination, and problems with balance and gait.

Question 41

Tracts

Answer 41

AKA ‘fasciculi’ or ‘pathways’ - a bundle of neurons either ascending (efferent) or descending (afferent)

Question 42

UMN
(Upper Motor Neuron)

Answer 42

A motor pathway that sends efferent communication starting from the cortex. Supplies neural information to either excite or inhibit movement. Travels/synapses onto a LMN.

Question 43

Ventral nerves

Answer 43

Run anteriorly down spinal cord

Question 44

Ventricles

Answer 44

4 ventricles - Right lateral, left lateral, third ventricle, fourth ventricle. Flow of CSf is down through the ventricles and into the subarachnoid space and then reabsorbed.

Question 45

Ventricular system

Answer 45

Series of interconnected chambers and canals surrounding the brain and spinal cord

Question 46

Vertebral artery

Answer 46

The vertebral artery is a major blood vessel that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain and spinal cord. It is one of two arteries (the other being the carotid artery) that provide blood to the brain. There are two vertebral arteries, one on each side of the neck. They enter the skull through the foramen magnum (a large hole at the base of the skull) and then join together to form the basilar artery. The basilar artery then branches off into smaller vessels that supply different parts of the brain with oxygenated blood.