Unit 3 Chapter 13 (Central Nervous System)

Question 1

Describe the protective structures that surround the brain and spinal cord

Answer 1

-three layers of membranes known as the meninges
-pia mater is inner layer (delicate)
-arachnoid is middle layer (web-like)
-dura mater is the outer layer (tough)

Question 2

Define meningitis

Answer 2

-meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, causes infections via bacteria or virus

Question 3

Define cerebrovascular accident

Answer 3

-cerebrovascular accident is a loss of neurological function caused by an interruption of blood flow to a region of the central nervous system; stroke

Question 4

Describe the blood-brain barrier

Answer 4

-the blood-brain barrier is a physiological barrier that keeps many substances that circulate in the rest of the body from getting into the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), restricting what can cross from circulating blood into the CNS

Question 5

Describe cerebrospinal fluid including:
▪ Functions
▪ Formation
▪ Circulation from sites of production to return into the blood stream

Answer 5

-functions are circulatory medium within the CNS, filtering the blood, cushions CNS from injury, provide nutrients
-formation is produced by ependymal cells in the choroid
plexus
-circulation starts at the choroid plexus in the four ventricles produce CSF, which is circulated through the ventricular system and then enters the subarachnoid space through the median and lateral apertures. The CSF is then reabsorbed into the blood at the arachnoid granulations, where the arachnoid membrane emerges into the dural sinuses.

Question 6

Describe hydrocephalus

Answer 6

-hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder caused by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles (cavities) deep within the brain.
-The excess fluid causes the ventricles to widen, putting harmful pressure on the brain’s tissues.

Question 7

Describe the composition and general function of tracts

Answer 7

-tracts are a bundle of nerve fibers (axons) connecting nuclei of the central nervous system
-tracts carry sensory information from the body, up the spinal cord to the brain and they carry motor information from the brain, down the spinal cord to the body

Question 8

Describe commissural tracts

Answer 8

-type of white matter tract that cross the midline, connecting the same cortical area in opposite hemispheres

Question 9

Describe association tracts

Answer 9

-type of white matter tract that connects different areas in the same hemisphere

Question 10

Describe projection tracts

Answer 10

-type of white matter tract that connects the cortex with other areas in the CNS

Question 11

Define basal nuclei and describe their general function

Answer 11

-basal nuclei are a set of nuclei deep in the cerebrum/white matter responsible for comparing cortical processing with the general state of activity in the nervous system to influence the likelihood of movement taking place
-functions are motor control (Parkinson’s disease) , as well as other roles such as motor learning, executive functions and behaviors, and emotions.

Question 12

Primary somatosensory area: location and function

Answer 12

-parietal lobe
-processing afferent somatosensory input and contributes to the integration of sensory and motor signals necessary for skilled movement

Question 13

Primary visual area: location and function

Answer 13

-occipital lobe
-receive, segment, and integrate visual information

Question 14

Primary motor area: location and function

Answer 14

-frontal lobe
-generate signals to direct the movement of the body

Question 15

Broca’s area: location and function

Answer 15

-frontal lobe
-associated with speech production and articulation

Question 16

Wernicke’s area: location and function

Answer 16

-posterior end of later sulcus
-speech comprehension

Question 17

Somatosensory association area: location and function

Answer 17

-parietal lobe
-influences motor activity

Question 18

Visual association area: location and function

Answer 18

-occipital lobe
-processes vision

Question 19

Auditory association area: location and function

Answer 19

-temporal lobe
-responsible for processing acoustic signals that the brain interprets as sounds, speech or music

Question 20

Define Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 20

-the most common type of dementia that begins with mild memory loss and possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment

Question 21

Distinguish between Alzheimer’s and Vascular dementia

Answer 21

-vascular dementia is associated with a reduction in blood flow to the brain. People with Alzheimer’s disease will have deposits of toxic amyloid and tau protein plaques in their brain resulting in loss of brain matter.

Question 22

Describe hemispheric lateralization.

Answer 22

-the left and right sides of the brain are specialized to attend to different information, to process sensory inputs in different ways and to control different types of motor behavior

Question 23

Describe decussation in the medulla oblongata and its effect on nervous system function

Answer 23

-where the majority of the motor fibers from the motor cortex in the cerebrum decussate in the medulla and form the lateral corticospinal tract in the spinal cord
-plays a critical role in transmitting signals between the spinal cord and the higher parts of the brain and in controlling autonomic activities, such as heartbeat and respiration

Question 24

Explain the role of the reticular formation

Answer 24

serves as a major integration and relay center for many vital brain systems to coordinate functions necessary for survival

Question 25

Distinguish between concussion and contusion

Answer 25

-concussion: more widespread brain trauma from a blow to the head or swift shaking
-contusion: a bruise and also bleeding on the brain due to localized trauma

Question 26

Define encephalitis

Answer 26

-an inflammation of the brain, caused by infection or an allergic reaction

Question 27

Explain the role of the limbic system

Answer 27

-a collection of structures involved in emotion, memory,
and behavior, especially when it comes to behaviors needed for survival

Question 28

Explain how emotions can have real effects on the body

Answer 28

-when you are stressed, anxious, or upset, your body reacts physically. Examples include high blood pressure or stomach ulcer

Question 29

Describe the location and function of spinal cord tracts

Answer 29

-mainly in the dorsal gray horn; responsible for carrying sensory and motor stimuli to and from the periphery