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Question Bank
- 1What are the two main components of the nervous system?
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Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - 2What is the Central Nervous System (CNS) composed of?
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Brain and spinal cord - 3What are the two divisions of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
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Autonomic and Somatic - 4What are the three main types of cells in the nervous system?
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Neurons, interneurons, and glial cells - 5What is the difference between a nucleus and a ganglion?
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nucleus: cluster of neural cell bodies in CNS ganglion: group of neural cell bodies outside the CNS - 6What layer does the nervous system start developing from
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ectoderm - 7What is the neural plate and what does it develop into?
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thickened region of ectoderm → develops into neural tube and neural crest - 8What are the anterior and posterior ends of the neural tube responsible for developing?
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Anterior: brain structures Posterior: spinal cord - 9What do neural tube cells become
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giver ise to neurons and glia in CNS - 10What are neural tube defects?
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Congenital malformations of the nervous system - 11What is anencephaly?
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- severe neural tube defect - failure of closure of the anterior neural tube - absence of the brain and skull bones - infants dying shortly after birth - 12What is Spina bifida?
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defective closure of the posterior neuropore - 13What are the subtypes of Spina bifida according to severity?
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Spina bifida occulta and severe cases. - 14What is Spina bifida occulta?
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mild, asymptomatic form where one or more vertebrae don't fully close, but the spinal cord is undamaged - 15What is the primary source of blood supply to the brain?
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The Circle of Willis - 16Which arteries form the Circle of Willis?
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- Anterior communicating artery - posterior communicating artery - two posterior cerebral arteries - 17What percentage of daily cardiac output does the brain receive?
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15% - 18What are the two main arteries that supply blood to the anterior part of the brain?
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Anterior carotid arteries - 19Which pair of arteries supplies blood to the posterior part of the brain?
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Vertebral arteries - 20Through which vein does venous drainage from the brain occur?
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Internal Jugular vein - 21What is the function of the cell body in a neuron?
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- contains the nucleus and other organelles - genetic and metabolic center of the neuron - 22What are dendrites and what do they do?
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Dendrites receive stimuli or input via chemoreceptors. - 23What is the definition of a multipolar neuron?
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multiple dendrites originating from the cell soma and a single axon - 24What are the examples of neurons that are multipolar?
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CNS and somatic NS. - 25What is the definition of a bipolar neuron?
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2 processes that extend from opposite sides of a round or oval-shaped cell body - 26What is a pseudounipolar neuron
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1 process that bifurcates shortly after leaving the soma e.g sensory neurons of PNS - 27What is the largest diameter and fastest conduction velocity for myelinated nerve fibers?
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A-alpha A-beta A-gamma A-delta B - 28Which fiber is unmylinated
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C - 29Pattern between type of fiber vs diameter vs conduction velocity
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myelinated - bigger - faster unmyelinated - smaller - slower - 30What is the function of sensory neurons?
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- afferent - receive stimuli from internal and external environments - conduct impulses towards the CNS for processing and analysis - 31What is the function of motor neurons?
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- efferent - conduct impulses from the CNS towards effector tissues - responsible for 'action' - 32What is the role of interneurons?
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connect sensory and motor neurons regulate the signals transmitted between neurons - 33What is the primary function of glial cells?
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To support neuronal function and survival - 34What are the two main types of glial cells classified into?
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Microglia and macroglia - 35What type of glial cells does the CNS have
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• oligodendrocytes • astrocytes • ependymal cells • microglial cells - 36What type of glial cells does the PNS have
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• Schwann cells • satellite cells - 37What are Microglia
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immune cells of the CNS - from monocytes - tissue-resident macrophages - branched processes for motion between grey and white matter - 38Microglia function
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Immune defense mechanism - removing cellular debris from injury, infection, and disease - phagocytosis - secreting immunoregulatory factors - 39What are the types of macroglia
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• astrocytes • ependymal cells • oligodendrocytes • Schwann cells • Satellite cells - 40What is the most common type of glial cell in the CNS and what protein does it produce?
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Astrocytes produce GFAP (glial fibrillary acid protein). - 41What are the functions of astrocytes?
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• Scaffold for neural migration • synaptic transmission • neural protection • BBB formation; astrocyte end feet • nutrient transfer; blood → neurons - 42What is the function of ependymal cells in the central nervous system (CNS)?
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Produce cerebrospinal fluid • cilia to facilitate CSF movement • microvilli to help with CSF absorption - 43Where are oligodendrocytes foud
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only in CNS - 44What is the function of oligodendrocytes
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Produce myelin sheath for neural axons in CNS - 45What is the myelin sheath
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• fatty layer that electrically insulates the axon • facilitates rapid transmission of nerve impulses - 46What are Schwann cells
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• found in the PNS • produce myelin sheath - 47What are satellite cells
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• found in PNS • functions for electricity insulation and nutrient/waste exchange along ganglia - 48What is the difference between grey matter and white matter in the brain?
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Grey: consists of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, astrocytes, and microglial cells White: lipid-rich myelin sheaths surrounding axons - 49What are the three main parts of the brain?
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Forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain - 50What are the two parts of the forebrain?
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Telencephalon - cerebrum Diencephalon - thalamus, pineal gland, posterior pituitary gland - 51What structures are found in the midbrain?
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• Superior and inferior colliculi • cerebral peduncle • substantia nigra - 52What structures make up the hindbrain
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• pons • medulla • cerebellum - 53What are the three main components of the cerebrum?
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• Cortex • cerebral white matter • subcortical structures (basal ganglia, hippocampus) - 54What is the cerebral cortex?
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The outer layer of the cerebrum. - 55What is the Brodmann classification?
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A classification that divides the cerebral cortex into 52 regions based on neural shapes and arrangement. - 56What is the frontal lobe responsible for?
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• prefrontal cortex: judgment, reasoning, and social behavior • primary motor cortex - 57What separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe?
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The central sulcus separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe. - 58What is the function of the parietal lobe?
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Directs the integration of sensory input and attention. - 59Where is the occipital lobe located?
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In the posterior cranial fossa. - 60What are the functions of the temporal lobe?
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Auditory processing, language recognition, and formation of new and long-term memories. - 61What is the function of the corpus callosum?
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The corpus callosum is a large bundle of fibers that interconnects the left and right hemispheres, allowing the two hemispheres to communicate. - 62What are projection fibers and what do they connect?
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Projection fibers connect the cerebral cortex with lower portions of the brain or the spinal cord, enabling the cortex to receive or transmit signals. - 63What is the role of association fibers in the brain?
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Association fibers connect various regions within the same hemisphere and permit the cortex to function as a coordinated unit. - 64What are the basal ganglia?
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Deep subcortical neurons composed of different structures - 65List the main structures of the basal ganglia.
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Striatum (caudate nucleus and putamen), globus pallidus, substantia nigra - 66What is the function of the basal ganglia?
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Responsible for thalamus-cortical neural signaling - 67What are the functions of the basal ganglia in the brain?
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Executing fine motor movement, playing a role in cognition and decision-making, and being part of the motivation and brain reward system. - 68What is the substantia nigra and what is its association with Parkinson's disease?
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The substantia nigra is a part of the basal ganglia that is associated with Parkinson's disease when damaged. - 69What is the striatum and what disease is associated with lesions in the striatum?
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The striatum is a part of the basal ganglia, and lesions in the striatum are associated with Huntington disease. - 70What is the diencephalon?
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The diencephalon is a part of the brain located between the cerebrum and the brainstem, composed of the thalamus and hypothalamus, pineal gland, and posterior part of the pituitary gland. - 71What are the main components of the diencephalon?
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The main components of the diencephalon are the thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal gland, and the posterior part of the pituitary gland. - 72What is the thalamus and where is it located?
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The thalamus is a relay station that relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex. It is located in both hemispheres and surrounds the third ventricle. - 73What are the functions of the thalamus?
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The thalamus functions as a relay station for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex and regulates cortical activation, memory, and visual input. - 74What is the hypothalamus and how many nuclei does it contain?
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The hypothalamus is a part of the brain located beneath the thalamus, and it is composed of 12 nuclei, each with specific functions. - 75What are the main functions of the hypothalamus?
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The main functions of the hypothalamus include maintenance of homeostasis and emotional control, endocrine control through the hypothalamic-hypophyseal system, regulation of temperature by inducing shivering, and regulation of food intake. - 76What are thermoreceptors and what do they do?
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Thermoreceptors are sensory receptors that provide temperature information to the preoptic area in the hypothalamus to maintain a constant core body temperature. - 77What are the mechanisms the hypothalamus uses to increase heat production?
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The hypothalamus uses increased metabolism via the thyroid gland, shivering, inhibiting sweating, and promoting vasoconstriction to increase heat production. - 78What are the mechanisms the anterior hypothalamus regulates to enable heat loss when the core temperature is above the set point?
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Vasodilation of skin blood vessels, sweating, and decrease in heat production. - 79What is the role of the anterior hypothalamus in regulating heat loss?
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The anterior hypothalamus regulates mechanisms to enable heat loss when the core temperature is above the set point. - 80What is the effect of coldness or a decrease in body temperature on the hypothalamus?
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Inhibits anterior Hypo. and preoptic nuclei - 81What are the steps that occur when the body temperature increases due to exercise or heat?
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Activate warmth receptors and Anterior hypothalamus nuclei, Sympathetic Inhibition, Vasodilation, sweating and decrease thermogenesis - 82What are pyrogens and how do they contribute to fever?
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Pyrogens are substances from infections that trigger the production of IL-1 and increase PG E2, which in turn reduces the activity of preoptic nuclei and anterior hypothalamus, changing the body's temperature set point. - 83What is the role of PGE2 in fever?
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PGE2 reduces the activity of preoptic nuclei and anterior hypothalamus, changing the body's temperature set point, which helps in preventing heat dissipation and conserving heat generating mechanisms. - 84What is the substantia nigra and what does it contain?
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The substantia nigra is a part of the midbrain that contains dopamine-producing neurons. - 85What is the function of the substantia nigra in the brain?
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The substantia nigra plays an important role in motor control and the reward system. - 86What are the components of the Hindbrain?
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pons, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum - 87What is the brainstem and what does it consist of?
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The brainstem consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. - 88What is the function of the pons in the brainstem?
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The pons relays sensory information between the cerebrum and spinal cord, contains nerve nuclei for sensation, eye movement, and auditory functions, and regulates the arousal/sleep cycle. - 89What role does the medulla play in the brainstem?
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The medulla serves as a reflex center for cardiovascular and respiratory control, is the origin of several cranial nerves, contains ascending and descending fiber tracts connecting the brainstem to the spinal cord, and is responsible for the vomiting reflex. - 90What is the telencephalon?
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The telencephalon is the most developed part of the brain in humans, responsible for higher functions such as thought, memory, and consciousness. - 91Which brain structures are involved in neural tracts passing through the brain stem?
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The neural tracts from and to the telencephalon pass through structures such as the pons, medulla, and vasomotor center. - 92What is the cerebellum and where is it located?
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The cerebellum is often referred to as the 'little brain' and is located in the posterior cranial fossa behind the pons and medulla. - 93What are the two hemispheres of the cerebellum separated by?
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The two hemispheres of the cerebellum are separated by a narrow ridge called the vermis. - 94What are the three layers of the cerebellar cortex?
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Molecular layer, Purkinje cell layer, and granular layer - 95What neurotransmitter is responsible for the inhibitory output of the cerebellum?
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Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) - 96What is the function of the Purkinje cell layer in the cerebellum?
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It is responsible for the inhibitory output of the cerebellum. - 97What is the function of the anterior lobe (spinocerebellum)?
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Regulation of muscle tone - 98What is the function of the posterior lobe (cerebrocerebellum)?
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Planning fine motor movements & coordinate motor function - 99What is the function of the flocculonodular lobe (vestibulocerebellum)?
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Maintenance of posture and balance - 100What are the three main types of ataxia?
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Cerebellar, sensory, and vestibular. - 101What is Friedreich's Ataxia and how is it inherited?
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It is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation of the frataxin gene. - 102What gene is defective in Ataxia Telangiectasia and what are some of its symptoms?
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The ATM gene is defective, leading to cerebellar atrophy, immune deficiency, and a high risk of cancer. - 103What are the four ventricles of the brain?
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Two lateral ventricles, one third ventricle, and one fourth ventricle. - 104Where is the third ventricle located?
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Between the right and left diencephalon. - 105What is the fourth ventricle located posterior to?
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The medulla. - 106What is the function of the ventricular system in the brain?
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The ventricular system is important for the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, which protects the brain by providing hydromechanical protection. - 107What is the Foramen of Monro and how does it relate to the ventricular system?
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The Foramen of Monro is a structure that connects the lateral ventricles with the third ventricle. - 108What is hydrocephalus?
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A condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain, leading to ventricular dilatation. - 109What are the causes of hydrocephalus?
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Excessive cerebrospinal fluid production, impaired absorption of cerebrospinal fluid, or obstructions within the ventricular system. - 110What is hydrocephalus in children?
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Enlargement of the head due to the skull bones not being completely fused. - 111What are the symptoms of hydrocephalus in children?
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Headache, behavior changes, developmental delays, vomiting, and lethargy. - 112What is a ventriculoperitoneal shunt?
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A ventriculoperitoneal shunt is a medical device used to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain into the abdominal cavity. - 113What are some dental modifications for patients with a VA shunt?
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Dental modifications include chair positioning, avoiding excessive force to the catheter, referral for possible antibiotic prophylaxis, and shorter appointments to enable tolerating care. - 114What is the title of the book shown on the left?
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Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology - 115What is the title of the book shown on the right?
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Pathophysiology of Disease