Neuroscience IV

Question 1

The nucleus cuneatus and nucleus gracilis are located in the […].

Answer 1

The nucleus cuneatus and nucleus gracilis are located in the caudal medulla.

Question 2

The nucleus of Edinger-Westphal gives rise to pre-ganglionic […] axons that travel with CN III (oculomotor).

Answer 2

The nucleus of Edinger-Westphal gives rise to pre-ganglionic parasympathetic axons that travel with CN III (oculomotor).

innervates the pupillary sphincter muscle and the ciliary muscle

Question 3

The nucleus […] supplies motor innervation of the pharynx, larynx, and upper esophagus (e.g. swallowing, palate elevation).

Answer 3

The nucleus ambiguus supplies motor innervation of the pharynx, larynx, and upper esophagus (e.g. swallowing, palate elevation).

nucleus aMbiguus = Motor; contributes to CN IX, X, and XI

Question 4

The nucleus […] receives visceral sensory information (e.g. taste, baroreceptors, gut distention).

Answer 4

The nucleus solitarius receives visceral sensory information (e.g. taste, baroreceptors, gut distention).

also known nucleus tractus solitarius; nucleus Solitarius = Sensory; contributes to CN VII, IX, and X

Question 5

The organ of Corti contains two types of receptor cells: […] and […] cells.

Answer 5

The organ of Corti contains two types of receptor cells: inner and outer hair cells.

three outer hair cells and one inner hair cell per organ

Question 6

The organ of Corti lies on the […] membrane of the cochlea and is bathed in the endolymph contained in the scala media.

Answer 6

The organ of Corti lies on the basilar membrane of the cochlea and is bathed in the endolymph contained in the scala media.

Question 7

The OVLT (organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis) is a circumventricular organ that senses changes in serum […].

Answer 7

The OVLT (organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis) is a circumventricular organ that senses changes in serum osmolarity.

Question 8

The paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF) sends axons that course within the contralateral MLF to reach the […] nucleus.

Answer 8

The paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF) sends axons that course within the contralateral MLF to reach the oculomotor nucleus.

thus causing adduction (via medial rectus) of the contralateral eye

Question 9

The paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF) sends axons that course within the contralateral […] to reach the oculomotor nucleus.

Answer 9

The paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF) sends axons that course within the contralateral MLF to reach the oculomotor nucleus.

thus causing adduction (via medial rectus) of the contralateral eye

Question 10

The paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF) sends axons to synapse with cell bodies of the ipsilateral […] nucleus.

Answer 10

The paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF) sends axons to synapse with cell bodies of the ipsilateral abducens nucleus.

thus causing abduction (via lateral rectus) of the ipsilateral eye

Question 11

The spinocerebellar tracts carry unconscious […] input from the ipsi-lateral muscle spindles and GTOs to the cerebellum.

Answer 11

The spinocerebellar tracts carry unconscious proprioceptive input from the ipsi-lateral muscle spindles and GTOs to the cerebellum.

i.e. dorsal spinocerebellar and cuneocerebellar tracts

Question 12

The spinocerebellar tracts carry unconscious proprioceptive input from the […]-lateral muscle spindles and GTOs to the cerebellum.

Answer 12

The spinocerebellar tracts carry unconscious proprioceptive input from the ipsi-lateral muscle spindles and GTOs to the cerebellum.

i.e. dorsal spinocerebellar and cuneocerebellar tracts

Question 13

The UMNs of the motor cortex that receive input from the VL nucleus (thalamus) send descending axons via the contralateral […] tract.

Answer 13

The UMNs of the motor cortex that receive input from the VL nucleus (thalamus) send descending axons via the contralateral corticospinal tract.

note: the double decussation results in net ipsilateral effect

Question 14

The ventral tegmentum and substantia nigra pars compacta are responsible for the synthesis of […].

Answer 14

The ventral tegmentum and substantia nigra pars compacta are responsible for the synthesis of dopamine.

Question 15

The vestibular nuclei sends axons to ipsilateral antigravity muscles via the lateral […] tract to maintain upright and balanced posture.

Answer 15

The vestibular nuclei sends axons to ipsilateral antigravity muscles via the lateral vestibulospinal tract to maintain upright and balanced posture.

Question 16

The […] reflex tests nerve roots S1 and S2 (tibial nerve).

Answer 16

The Achilles reflex tests nerve roots S1 and S2 (tibial nerve).

“S1, S2, buckle my shoe”

Question 17

The […] reflex tests nerve roots S3 and S4.

Answer 17

The anal wink reflex tests nerve roots S3 and S4.

“S3, S4, winks galore”

Question 18

The […] hypothalamus senses elevated body temperatures and mediates responses to dissipate heat.

Answer 18

The anterior hypothalamus senses elevated body temperatures and mediates responses to dissipate heat.

thus lesion of the anterior hypothalamus results in hyperthermia

Question 19

The […] reflex tests nerve roots C5 and C6 (musculocutaneous nerve).

Answer 19

The biceps reflex tests nerve roots C5 and C6 (musculocutaneous nerve).

“C5, C6, pick up sticks”

Question 20

The […] comprises the nerve roots of lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal spinal nerves below the conus medullaris.

Answer 20

The cauda equina comprises the nerve roots of lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal spinal nerves below the conus medullaris.

Question 21

The […] is the caudal end of the spinal cord; ends at L2 vertebra in adults.

Answer 21

The conus medullaris is the caudal end of the spinal cord; ends at L2 vertebra in adults.

Question 22

The […] tract in the brain is responsible for voluntary movement of contralateral limbs.

Answer 22

The corticospinal tract in the brain is responsible for voluntary movement of contralateral limbs.

Question 23

The […] reflex tests nerve roots L1 and L2 (genitofemoral nerve).

Answer 23

The cremasteric reflex tests nerve roots L1 and L2 (genitofemoral nerve).

“L1, L2, testicles move”

Question 24

The […] basal ganglia pathway facilitates movement.

Answer 24

The direct basal ganglia pathway facilitates movement.

useful for initiating movement

Question 25

The [...] tract carries information for pressure, vibration, fine (discriminative) touch, and proprioception.

Answer 25

The **dorsal column-medial lemniscal** tract carries information for pressure, vibration, fine (discriminative) touch, and proprioception.

Question 26

The [...] nucleus sends parasympathetic fibers to the heart, lungs, and upper GI tract.

Answer 26

The **dorsal motor** nucleus sends parasympathetic fibers to the heart, lungs, and upper GI tract. contributes to CN X

Question 27

The [...] nucleus provides parasympathetic innervation to the pupillary sphincter and ciliary muscles.

Answer 27

The **Edinger-Westphal** nucleus provides parasympathetic innervation to the pupillary sphincter and ciliary muscles. thus mediates pupillary constriction and accomodation

Question 28

The [...] of the cerebellum is involved in control of balance and eye movements.

Answer 28

The **flocculonodular** lobe of the cerebellum is involved in control of balance and eye movements. via input from vestibular nuclei

Question 29

The [...] basal ganglia pathway inhibits movement.

Answer 29

The **indirect** basal ganglia pathway inhibits movement. useful for suppression of unwanted movement

Question 30

The [...] colliculi are auditory structures.

Answer 30

The i**nferior** colliculi are auditory structures.

Question 31

The [...] of the cerebellum controls distal musculature.

Answer 31

The **intermediate** hemisphere of the cerebellum controls distal musculature.

Question 32

The [...] area of the hypothalamus is responsible for hunger.

Answer 32

The **lateral** area of the hypothalamus is responsible for hunger. thus, lesion of the lateral area results in anorexia

Question 33

The [...] of the reticular formation is responsible for synthesis of norepinephrine.

Answer 33

The **locus ceruleus** of the reticular formation is responsible for synthesis of norepinephrine. sends projections to most brain areas involved in the control of cortical activation (arousal)

Question 34

The locus ceruleus of the reticular formation is responsible for synthesis of [...].

Answer 34

The locus ceruleus of the reticular formation is responsible for synthesis of **norepinephrine.** sends projections to most brain areas involved in the control of cortical activation (arousal)

Question 35

The [...] is a pair of tracts that allows for crosstalk between CN VI and CN III nuclei.

Answer 35

The **medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF)** is a pair of tracts that allows for crosstalk between CN VI and CN III nuclei. coordinates both eyes to move in the same direction (conjugate horizontal gaze)

Question 36

The medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) is a pair of tracts that allows for crosstalk between CN [...] and CN [...] nuclei.

Answer 36

he medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) is a pair of tracts that allows for crosstalk between CN **VI** and CN **III** nuclei. coordinates both eyes to move in the same direction (conjugate horizontal gaze)

Question 37

The [...] nucleus of the hypothalamus primarily secretes oxytocin.

Answer 37

The **paraventricular** nucleus of the hypothalamus primarily secretes oxytocin. also secretes CRH and TRH

Question 38

The [...] reflex tests nerve roots L3 and L4 (femoral nerve).

Answer 38

The patella reflex tests nerve roots **L3 and L4** (femoral nerve). "L3, L4, kick the door"

Question 39

The [...] hypothalamus senses decreased body temperatures and mediates responses to conserve heat.

Answer 39

The **posterior** hypothalamus senses decreased body temperatures and mediates responses to conserve heat. thus lesion of the posterior hypothalamus results in hypothermia

Question 40

The [...] of the reticular formation is responsible for synthesis of serotonin.

Answer 40

The **raphe nucleus** of the reticular formation is responsible for synthesis of serotonin. plays a role in mood, aggression, and the induction of non–rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep

Question 41

The raphe nucleus of the reticular formation is responsible for synthesis of [...].

Answer 41

The raphe nucleus of the reticular formation is responsible for synthesis of **serotonin**. plays a role in mood, aggression, and the induction of non–rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep

Question 42

The [...] is formed by the reticular formation, locus ceruleus, and raphe nucleus.

Answer 42

The **reticular activating system (RAS)** is formed by the reticular formation, locus ceruleus, and raphe nucleus.

Question 43

The [...] ganglion contains cell bodies whose peripheral axons innervate hair cells of the organ of Corti.

Answer 43

The **spiral** ganglion contains cell bodies whose peripheral axons innervate hair cells of the organ of Corti.

Question 44

The [...] colliculi are visual structures.

Answer 44

The **superior** colliculi are visual structures.

Question 45

The [...] nucleus of the hypothalamus is responsible for Circadian rhythm, which regulates the sleep cycle.

Answer 45

The **suprachiasmatic** nucleus of the hypothalamus is responsible for Circadian rhythm, which regulates the sleep cycle. circadian rhythm controls nocturnal release of ACTH, prolactin, melatonin, and norepinephrine

Question 46

The [...] nucleus of the hypothalamus primarily makes ADH.

Answer 46

The **supraoptic** nucleus of the hypothalamus primarily makes ADH. lesions here causes diabetes insipidus

Question 47

The [...] reflex tests nerve roots C7 and C8 (radial nerve).

Answer 47

The triceps reflex tests nerve roots C7 and C8 (radial nerve). "C7, C8, lay them straight"

Question 48

The [...] area of the hypothalamus is responsible for satiety.

Answer 48

The **ventromedial** area of the hypothalamus is responsible for satiety. thus lesion of the ventromedial area results in hyperphagia