Areas of the brain and spinal cord

Question 1

What is the central nervous system

Answer 1

the integrating and command centre

Question 2

what is the peripheral nervous system

Answer 2

the communicating system, linking all the body parts to the CNS via nerves

Question 3

what are the 3 major brain subdivisions (CNS)?

Answer 3

1. forebrain
2. midbrain
3. cerebellum

Question 4

How much does the brain weigh? (approximately)

Answer 4

1.5kg

Question 5

Neurons (3 characteristics)

Answer 5

• Are highly specialised, excitable cells
• have rapid metabolic rate
• provide rapid and specific communication between regions of the body

Question 6

Support cells (3 characteristics)

Answer 6

• provide structural support
• regional metabolism
• and insulation

Question 7

four types of support cells (glia)

Answer 7

1. astrocytes
2. oligodendrocytes
3. ependymal cells
4. microglia

Question 8

What does grey matter consist of ?

Answer 8

neuron cell bodies

Question 9

how is grey matter called in the CNS?

Answer 9

nucleus

Question 10

how is grey matter called in the PNS?

Answer 10

ganglion

Question 11

what does white matter consist of?

Answer 11

axons

Question 12

why does white matter have its colour?

Answer 12

lipid material in the myelin sheaths has a white appearance

Question 13

Gyri

Answer 13

hill tops in the brain

Question 14

sulci

Answer 14

valleys in the brain

Question 15

fissure

Answer 15

deep sulcus. these separate large regions of the brain

Question 16

Where is the insula located?

Answer 16

buried deep within the lateral sulcus and forms part of its floor

Question 17

what does the central sulcus separate?

Answer 17

the frontal and parietal lobes

Question 18

what does the lateral sulcus separate?

Answer 18

the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes

Question 19

what does the transverse fissure separate?

Answer 19

the cerebrum from the cerebellum

Question 20

what does the parieto-occipital sulcus separate?

Answer 20

the parietal and occipital lobes

Question 21

from what view can we see the parieto-occipital sulcus?

Answer 21

medial view

Question 22

where does the spinal cord extend from?

Answer 22

From the foramen magnum to the first or second lumbar vertebra

Question 23

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Answer 23

31

Question 24

Why are there enlargements in the spinal cord?

Answer 24

the enlargements are located where nerves serving the upper and lower limbs arise. there are additional motor neurons that require extra space.

Question 25

What are the two enlargements in the spinal cord?

Answer 25

1. the lumbar enlargement - for the lower limbs

2. the cervical enlargement - for the upper limbs

Question 26

where is the Conus Medullaris located

Answer 26

at the bottom of the lumbar enlargement

Question 27

Filum terminale

Answer 27

extends from the conus medullaris to the posterior surface of the coccyx and stabilises the spinal cord.
- it is not a nerve!

Question 28

Cauda Equina

Answer 28

a collection of nerve roots at the inferior end of the vertebral canal.

Question 29

Where are grey and white matter located in the spinal cord?

Answer 29

grey matter is centrally located and white matter is peripherally located

Question 30

dorsal root

Answer 30

afferent fibers which send sensory information to the spinal cord from organs

Question 31

ventral root

Answer 31

efferent fibers which control effector organs

Question 32

Paralysis

Answer 32

loss of motor function

Question 33

paresthesias

Answer 33

sensory loss

Question 34

Damage to C1-C4

Answer 34

high tetraplegia - can’t move upper or lower limbs

Question 35

Damage to C5-C8

Answer 35

low tetraplegia - may have some movement in the upper limbs

Question 36

thoracic, lumbar or sacral injuries

Answer 36

paraplegia - can’t move lower limbs