Neuroanatomy

Question 1

What divides the brain into the right and left cerebral hemispheres?

Answer 1

The falx cerebri.

Question 2

What separates the temporal lobe from the rest of the cerebrum?

Answer 2

The lateral sulcus (Sylvian fissure).

Question 3

Where is the primary visual cortex located?

Answer 3

In the calcarine sulcus.

Question 4

What is the septum pellucidum?

Answer 4

A thin triangular membrane found in the midline septal area of the brain.

Question 5

What is the fornix?

Answer 5

A C-shaped bundle of white matter beneath the corpus callosum.

Question 6

What is the role of the corpus callosum?

Answer 6

It connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres and is the largest commissure.

Question 7

What does the limbic system control?

Answer 7

Basic emotions (fear, pleasure, anger) and drives (hunger, sex, dominance, care of offspring).

Question 8

What are the components of the limbic system?

Answer 8

Hippocampus, septal nucleus, mammillary bodies, thalamus, cingulate gyrus, uncus, and amygdala.

Question 9

What is the function of the hippocampus?

Answer 9

Learning and memory.

Question 10

What is the role of the thalamus?

Answer 10

Relays information to the cerebral cortex and regulates consciousness, sleep, and alertness.

Question 11

What are mammillary bodies, and what is their function?

Answer 11

Part of the hypothalamus involved in linking the nervous system and endocrine system and regulating metabolic processes.

Question 12

What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and what are its main functions?

Answer 12

CSF is an ultrafiltrate of plasma that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Its functions include protection, buoyancy, and chemical stability.

Question 13

How does CSF flow through the ventricular system?

Answer 13

From the lateral ventricles via the interventricular foramina to the third ventricle, through the cerebral aqueduct to the fourth ventricle, and then into the spinal cord.

Question 14

What can blockages in the cerebral aqueduct lead to?

Answer 14

Increased pressure in the lateral ventricles, leading to hydrocephalus.

Question 15

What are the two types of sensory pathways?

Answer 15

Conscious (reaches the cerebral cortex) and unconscious (does not reach the cerebral cortex).

Question 16

How do motor pathways differ from sensory pathways?

Answer 16

Motor pathways consist of two neurons that synapse in the ventral horns of the spinal cord, while sensory pathways consist of three neurons.

Question 17

What are the components of the brainstem?

Answer 17

The midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Question 18

What are the functions of the brainstem?

Answer 18

Motor and sensory innervation to the face and neck, and regulation of cardiac and respiratory functions.

Question 19

What are the superior and inferior colliculi responsible for?

Answer 19

The superior colliculi are involved in visual processing, while the inferior colliculi process auditory information.

Question 20

What is the function of the basal ganglia?

Answer 20

The basal ganglia control movement, habit learning, and emotion.

Question 21

What are the subdivisions of the cerebellum, and what are their functions?

Answer 21

Archicerebellum (balance), paleocerebellum (muscle tone and posture), and neocerebellum (coordination of movement).

Question 22

What symptoms result from damage to one side of the cerebellum?

Answer 22

Symptoms occur on the ipsilateral side of the body.

Question 23

What is the anterior commissure, and what does it connect?

Answer 23

The anterior commissure connects neurons in the olfactory areas of the brain.

Question 24

What does the posterior commissure connect?

Answer 24

The posterior commissure connects neurons in the left and right midbrain colliculi.

Question 25

What is the function of the cingulate gyrus?

Answer 25

The cingulate gyrus is responsible for emotion formation and processing, as well as learning and memory.

Question 26

What is the uncus involved in?

Answer 26

The uncus is involved in the olfactory pathway.

Question 27

What is the amygdala responsible for?

Answer 27

The amygdala is responsible for processing fear and triggering hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).

Question 28

What are the main components of the ventricular system?

Answer 28

Two lateral ventricles, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle.

Question 29

What is the function of the lateral ventricles?

Answer 29

The lateral ventricles produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Question 30

What are the two primary motor tracts in the spinal cord?

Answer 30

The corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts.

Question 31

What is the corticospinal tract responsible for?

Answer 31

The corticospinal tract controls voluntary motor movement.

Question 32

Where do ~80% of corticospinal tract fibers decussate?

Answer 32

In the medullary pyramids.

Question 33

What is the spinothalamic tract responsible for?

Answer 33

The spinothalamic tract transmits pain, temperature, and crude touch to the brain.

Question 34

What is the dorsal column responsible for?

Answer 34

The dorsal column transmits fine touch, vibration, and proprioception.

Question 35

What structures are located in the midbrain?

Answer 35

The midbrain contains the superior and inferior colliculi, red nuclei, and periaqueductal grey matter.

Question 36

What is the periaqueductal grey matter, and what is its function?

Answer 36

The periaqueductal grey matter surrounds the cerebral aqueduct and is the main control center for descending pain modulation.

Question 37

What is the role of the red nucleus?

Answer 37

The red nucleus receives information from the cerebellum and sends it to the spinal cord.

Question 38

What are the functions of the pons?

Answer 38

The pons relays signals between the cerebrum and cerebellum and regulates sleep, respiration, and swallowing.

Question 39

What are the key features of the medulla oblongata?

Answer 39

The medulla oblongata regulates autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.

Question 40

What is the function of the striatum?

Answer 40

The striatum controls voluntary movement and processes habit learning.

Question 41

What structures make up the striatum?

Answer 41

The caudate nucleus and putamen.

Question 42

How does information travel from the basal ganglia to the thalamus?

Answer 42

Information travels via the globus pallidus to the thalamus.

Question 43

What are the three layers of the meninges?

Answer 43

Dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Question 44

What is the function of the arachnoid villi?

Answer 44

The arachnoid villi allow cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to be absorbed into the venous system.

Question 45

How does the cerebellum contribute to motor function?

Answer 45

The cerebellum regulates balance, posture, and coordination of movement.

Question 46

What are the signs of cerebellar damage?

Answer 46

Signs of cerebellar damage include ataxia, intention tremor, dysmetria, and nystagmus.

Question 47

What are the cranial nerves that arise from the brainstem?

Answer 47

Cranial nerves III-XII arise from the brainstem.

Question 48

What is the blood-brain barrier, and why is it important?

Answer 48

The blood-brain barrier protects the brain from harmful substances in the bloodstream while allowing essential molecules to pass through.

Question 49

What is hydrocephalus, and what causes it?

Answer 49

Hydrocephalus is an accumulation of CSF in the ventricles, caused by blockages or impaired absorption.

Question 50

What is the role of the medullary pyramids?

Answer 50

The medullary pyramids are where most corticospinal tract fibers cross to the opposite side of the body.

Question 51

What are the superior and inferior cerebellar peduncles responsible for?

Answer 51

The superior peduncles connect the cerebellum to the midbrain, while the inferior peduncles connect it to the medulla.

Question 52

What are Broca's area and Wernicke's area, and where are they located?

Answer 52

Broca's area, located in the frontal lobe, controls speech production; Wernicke's area, in the temporal lobe, controls language comprehension.

Question 53

What are the primary functions of the frontal lobe?

Answer 53

The frontal lobe is responsible for decision-making, planning, motor control, and personality.

Question 54

What are the primary functions of the parietal lobe?

Answer 54

The parietal lobe processes sensory information such as touch, temperature, and spatial awareness.

Question 55

What are the primary functions of the occipital lobe?

Answer 55

The occipital lobe is responsible for visual processing.

Question 56

What are the primary functions of the temporal lobe?

Answer 56

The temporal lobe processes auditory information and memory.

Question 57

What is the role of the hypothalamus in homeostasis?

Answer 57

The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and other homeostatic functions.

Question 58

How is the pituitary gland connected to the hypothalamus?

Answer 58

The pituitary gland is connected to the hypothalamus via the infundibulum.

Question 59

What is the function of the reticular formation?

Answer 59

The reticular formation regulates sleep-wake cycles and levels of consciousness.