SPINAL CORD (MCQS)

Question 1

The spinal cord extends from the foramen magnum to approximately which vertebral level in adults?
A. L1 - L2
B. S1 - S2
C. T10 - T11
D. C7 - T1

Answer 1

A

Question 1

The protective membranes covering the spinal cord are collectively called:
A. Meninges
B. Pleura
C. Pericardium
D. Peritoneum

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The outermost layer of the meninges covering the spinal cord is the:
A. Dura mater
B. Arachnoid mater
C. Pia mater
D. Ependyma

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The space between the dura mater and the vertebral column, which contains fat and blood vessels, is the:
A. Epidural space
B. Subdural space
C. Subarachnoid space
D. Ventricular space

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is found in the:
A. Subarachnoid space
B. Epidural space
C. Subdural space
D. Central canal only

Answer 4

A

Question 5

The gray matter of the spinal cord is mainly composed of:
A. Myelinated axons
B. Cell bodies of neurons, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons
C. Schwann cells
D. Meningeal cells

Answer 5

B

Question 6

In the spinal cord, the anterior horn of the gray matter contains:
A. Sensory neuron cell bodies
B. Motor neuron cell bodies
C. Interneuron cell bodies
D. Schwann cell bodies

Answer 6

B

Question 7

The posterior horn of the gray matter in the spinal cord receives input from:
A. Motor neurons
B. Sensory neurons from the body
C. Sympathetic neurons
D. Parasympathetic neurons

Answer 7

B

Question 8

. The white matter of the spinal cord is composed of:
A. Cell bodies of neurons
B. Myelinated axons arranged in tracts
C. Dendrites
D. Glial cells only

Answer 8

B

Question 9

Ascending tracts in the spinal cord are responsible for:
A. Carrying motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord
B. Carrying sensory information from the body to the brain
C. Controlling autonomic functions
D. Regulating muscle tone

Answer 9

B

Question 10

The spinothalamic tract is an ascending tract that transmits:
A. Fine touch and proprioception
B. Pain, temperature, and crude touch
C. Motor commands for the lower limbs
D. Autonomic signals

Answer 10

B

Question 11

The dorsal column - medial lemniscus pathway is mainly involved in transmitting:
A. Pain and temperature
B. Fine touch, vibration, and proprioception
C. Visual information
D. Auditory information

Answer 11

B

Question 12

Descending tracts in the spinal cord are responsible for:
A. Carrying sensory information to the brain
B. Carrying motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord
C. Producing cerebrospinal fluid
D. Connecting the two hemispheres of the brain

Answer 12

B

Question 13

The corticospinal tract is a descending tract that controls:
A. Voluntary movement
B. Autonomic functions
C. Sensory perception
D. Reflex actions

Answer 13

A

Question 14

The lateral corticospinal tract crosses over (decussates) at which level?
A. In the medulla oblongata
B. In the spinal cord at the level of entry of the sensory neuron
C. In the pons
D. In the midbrain

Answer 14

A

Question 15

The anterior corticospinal tract:
A. Does not cross over
B. Crosses over in the spinal cord at the level of the motor neuron
C. Crosses over in the thalamus
D. Is responsible for controlling facial muscles

Answer 15

B

Question 16

The spinal cord is divided into how many regions?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

Answer 16

C

Question 17

The cervical region of the spinal cord has how many segments?
A. 4
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8

Answer 17

D

Question 18

The thoracic region of the spinal cord has how many segments?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 14
D. 16

Answer 18

B

Question 19

The lumbar region of the spinal cord has how many segments?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7

Answer 19

B

Question 20

The sacral region of the spinal cord has how many segments?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7

Answer 20

B

Question 21

A spinal nerve is formed by the union of:
A. An anterior root (motor) and a posterior root (sensory)
B. Two anterior roots
C. Two posterior roots
D. Anterior and posterior rami

Answer 21

A

Question 22

After emerging from the spinal cord, a spinal nerve divides into:
A. Anterior and posterior rami
B. Medial and lateral rami
C. Superior and inferior rami
D. Proximal and distal rami

Answer 22

A

Question 23

The anterior ramus of a spinal nerve supplies:
A. The back muscles and skin of the back
B. The anterior and lateral parts of the trunk and the limbs
C. Only the viscera
D. Only the head

Answer 23

B

Question 24

The posterior ramus of a spinal nerve supplies: A. The back muscles and skin of the back B. The anterior and lateral parts of the trunk and the limbs C. Only the viscera D. Only the head

Answer 24

A

Question 25

The spinal cord's central canal is filled with: A. Blood B. Lymph C. Cerebrospinal fluid D. Interstitial fluid

Answer 25

C

Question 26

The conus medullaris is: A. The upper end of the spinal cord B. The tapered lower end of the spinal cord C. A part of the brainstem D. A structure in the cerebellum

Answer 26

B

Question 27

Filum terminale is: A. A bundle of nerve fibers in the spinal cord B. A continuation of the pia mater that anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx C. A blood vessel supplying the spinal cord D. A part of the arachnoid mater

Answer 27

B

Question 28

The cauda equina is formed by: A. The upper spinal nerve roots B. The lower spinal nerve roots extending below the conus medullaris C. Nerve roots from the cervical region D. Nerve roots from the thoracic region only

Answer 28

B

Question 29

Damage to the spinothalamic tract would result in a loss of: A. Fine touch B. Proprioception C. Pain and temperature sensation D. Voluntary muscle control

Answer 29

C

Question 30

Damage to the dorsal column - medial lemniscus pathway would lead to a loss of: A. Pain and temperature B. Fine touch, vibration, and proprioception C. Visual perception D. Auditory perception

Answer 30

B

Question 31

The spinal cord's gray matter has a characteristic "H" - shape in cross - section. The two posterior projections of the "H" are called: A. Anterior horns B. Posterior horns C. Lateral horns D. Intermediate horns

Answer 31

B

Question 32

In the thoracic and upper lumbar regions, the lateral horn of the gray matter contains cell bodies of: A. Sensory neurons B. Somatic motor neurons C. Sympathetic preganglionic neurons D. Parasympathetic preganglionic neurons

Answer 32

C

Question 33

Parasympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord are located in which region? A. Cervical region B. Thoracic region C. Lumbar region D. Sacral region

Answer 33

D

Question 34

The cerebrospinal fluid is produced by: A. The spinal cord itself B. The choroid plexus in the ventricles of the brain C. The meninges D. The blood vessels around the spinal cord

Answer 34

B

Question 35

The blood - spinal cord barrier helps to: A. Regulate the entry of substances into the spinal cord B. Produce cerebrospinal fluid C. Conduct nerve impulses faster D. Anchor the spinal cord to the vertebral column

Answer 35

A

Question 36

Which of the following is a function of the spinal cord? A. Integration of simple reflexes B. Control of higher - order cognitive functions C. Visual processing D. Auditory processing

Answer 36

A

Question 37

. A reflex arc typically involves: A. Sensory receptor, sensory neuron, interneuron, motor neuron, effector B. Only sensory neurons C. Only motor neurons D. Sensory receptor, motor neuron, effector

Answer 37

A

Question 38

The patellar reflex (knee - jerk reflex) is an example of a: A. Monosynaptic reflex B. Polysynaptic reflex C. Autonomic reflex D. Withdrawal reflex

Answer 38

A

Question 39

In the patellar reflex, the sensory neuron synapses directly with the: A. Interneuron B. Motor neuron C. Another sensory neuron D. Effector muscle

Answer 39

B

Question 40

The spinal cord is bathed in cerebrospinal fluid, which provides all of the following except: A. Nutritional support B. Protection from physical trauma C. Electrical insulation D. Buoyancy

Answer 40

C

Question 41

The anterior spinal artery supplies blood to: A. The entire spinal cord B. The anterior two - thirds of the spinal cord C. The posterior one - third of the spinal cord D. Only the gray matter

Answer 41

B

Question 42

The posterior spinal arteries supply blood to: A. The entire spinal cord B. The anterior two - thirds of the spinal cord C. The posterior one - third of the spinal cord D. Only the white matter

Answer 42

C

Question 43

A complete transection of the spinal cord at the cervical level would result in: A. Paraplegia B. Quadriplegia C. Hemiplegia D. Monoplegia

Answer 43

B

Question 44

A complete transection of the spinal cord at the thoracic level would lead to: A. Paraplegia B. Quadriplegia C. Hemiplegia D. Monoplegia

Answer 44

A

Question 45

The spinocerebellar tracts carry information related to: A. Conscious proprioception B. Unconscious proprioception C. Pain and temperature D. Voluntary movement

Answer 45

B

Question 46

The rubrospinal tract is involved in: A. Controlling fine, skilled movements of the hands B. Regulating muscle tone and involuntary movements C. Transmitting sensory information from the skin D. Controlling autonomic functions

Answer 46

B

Question 47

The vestibulospinal tract helps in: A. Maintaining balance and posture B. Controlling eye movements C. Transmitting auditory information D. Regulating heart rate

Answer 47

A

Question 48

The reticulospinal tract is associated with: A. Voluntary movement of the limbs B. Regulation of autonomic functions and muscle tone C. Visual processing D. Olfactory processing

Answer 48

B

Question 49

The denticulate ligaments are: A. Structures that help in the formation of cerebrospinal fluid B. Ligaments that anchor the spinal cord laterally to the dura mater C. Parts of the spinal nerve roots D. Blood vessels supplying the spinal cord

Answer 49

B