Neurophysiology I

Question 1

Myelencephalon / Medulla

Answer 1

Very base of the brain stem
- Regulates autonomic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure

Question 2

Metencephalon

Answer 2

Composed of Pons & Cerebellum

Question 3

Pons

Answer 3

Contains the Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Question 4

Cerebellum

Answer 4

Mediates smooth, coordinated body movement

Question 5

Mesencephalon / Midbrain

Answer 5

Composed of Tectum & Tegmentum

Question 6

Tectum

Answer 6

Important for locating stimuli in environment
- Contains Superior & Inferior Colliculus

Question 7

Tegmentum

Answer 7

Contains Periaqueductal Gray (PAG) & Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA)

Question 8

Substantia Nigra

Answer 8

Dark formations in outer Tegmentum
- Part of Basal Ganglia vulnerable to Parkinson’s Disease
- Initiates movement

Question 9

Diencephalon

Answer 9

Composed of Thalamus & Hypothalamus

Question 10

Thalamus

Answer 10

Receives unprocessed sensory input
- Relays sensory and motor input to cortex
- Filters sensory information
- Regulates awareness

Question 11

Hypothalamus

Answer 11

Directly connected to pituitary gland
- Releases hormones into pituitary and thyroid glands
- Controls homeostatic functions
- Regulates Automatic Nervous System
- Regulates Circadian Rhythms
- Regulates Fight or Flight response

Question 12

Telencephalon

Answer 12

Composed of Basal Ganglia, Limbic System, and Neocortex

Question 13

Basal Ganglia

Answer 13

Motor system responsible for automatic movements
- Helps plan and control complex movement patterns
- Storage site for muscle memory
- Contributes to cognition and emotion (dopamine site)

Question 14

Limbic System

Answer 14

Composed of Hippocampus, Amygdala, and Cingulate Cortex

Question 15

Hippocampus

Answer 15

Memory center of the brain
- Stores declarative memories
- Contributes to spatial navigation

Question 16

Amygdala

Answer 16

Center of emotional memory formation and storage
- Involved in emotional processing and fear
- Hyperactive in PTSD

Question 17

Cingulate Cortex

Answer 17

Funnels input from thalamus and neocortex into hippocampus
- Important for attention

Question 18

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

Answer 18

Important for Executive Function
- Working Memory
- Cognitive Flexibility
- Planning
- Inhibition
- Abstract Reasoning

Question 19

Orbitofrontal Prefrontal Cortex

Answer 19

Important for Decision-making
- Heavily interconnected with sensory and limbic structures
- Involved in temperament and social interactions

Question 20

Periaqueductal Gray (PAG)

Answer 20

Located in interior of Tegmentum
- Receives pain and temperature input

Question 21

Ventral Tegmental Area

Answer 21

Located below PAG
- Origin of most dopaminergic projection cells

Question 22

Superior Colliculus

Answer 22

Located in Tectum
- Receives visual input

Question 23

Inferior Colliculus

Answer 23

Located in Tectum
- Receives auditory input

Question 24

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Answer 24

• Located in Pons
• Regulates wakefulness
• Controls arousal, sleep, attention, and muscle tone

Question 25

Fight or Flight Response

Answer 25

1. Amygdala activates fear response 2. Hypothalamus releases hormones to pituitary and thyroid glands 3. Sympathetic Nervous System activates 4. Epinephrine is released