Chapter 14 – The Brain and Cranial Nerves (Tortora & Derrickson, 16e)

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering anatomy, physiology, protection, blood supply, cranial nerves, development, aging, and disorders of the brain and its associated structures.

What three physical structures primarily protect the brain?

Cranial bones, cranial meninges (dura, arachnoid, pia mater), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Name the four principal parts of the brain.

Brainstem, cerebellum, diencephalon, and cerebrum.

Which three regions compose the brainstem?

Medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.

What vital autonomic functions are regulated by nuclei in the medulla oblongata?

Heart rate, respiratory rhythm, vasoconstriction, and reflexes such as swallowing, coughing, vomiting, sneezing, and hiccupping.

Which brainstem structure contains pneumotaxic and apneustic centers for respiratory control?

The pons.

What are two major roles of the midbrain’s superior and inferior colliculi?

Superior colliculi coordinate visual reflexes; inferior colliculi coordinate auditory reflexes.

Which diffuse brainstem network maintains consciousness and awakens the cortex?

The reticular formation.

Where is the cerebellum located, and what is its chief function?

Inferior–posterior cranial cavity; it coordinates skeletal muscle contractions and maintains muscle tone, posture, and balance.

List the three parts of the diencephalon.

Thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

Which sensory modality is NOT relayed by the thalamus to the cerebral cortex?

Smell (olfaction).

Name two homeostatic roles of the hypothalamus.

Regulation of autonomic nervous system and control of body temperature (also acceptable: regulation of hunger/thirst, circadian rhythms, endocrine hormone release).

What hormone-secreting gland is housed in the epithalamus, and what hormone does it produce?

Pineal gland; it secretes melatonin.

Identify the five cerebral lobes.

Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and insula.

What type of matter makes up the cerebral cortex, and what structure connects the two hemispheres?

Gray matter forms the cortex; the corpus callosum (white-matter tract) connects the hemispheres.

Which brain system links emotion with memory and motivation?

The limbic system.

Broca’s area is primarily responsible for .

Speech and language production.

Wernicke’s area is essential for .

Language comprehension.

Blood reaches the brain via which two arterial systems and drains through which venous vessel?

Vertebral and carotid arteries; jugular veins.

Approximately what percentage of the body’s oxygen does the brain consume?

About 20 %.

What is the function of the blood–brain barrier (BBB)?

It selectively restricts passage of substances from the bloodstream into brain tissue, protecting neurons from toxins and pathogens.

Where is CSF produced, and what are two of its functions?

Produced by choroid plexuses within ventricles; functions include cushioning the brain and transporting nutrients (oxygen, glucose).

Trace CSF flow from the lateral ventricles to the subarachnoid space.

Lateral ventricles → interventricular foramina → third ventricle → cerebral aqueduct → fourth ventricle → median & lateral apertures → subarachnoid space.

How many cranial nerves are there, and which two arise directly from the cerebrum?

Twelve; the olfactory (I) and optic (II) nerves.

Cranial Nerve I is called and provides what special sense?

Olfactory nerve; sense of smell.

Which cranial nerve (number and name) controls most eye movements and pupil constriction?

Cranial Nerve III – Oculomotor nerve.

The trochlear nerve (IV) innervates which eye muscle?

Superior oblique muscle.

Which cranial nerve provides facial sensation and motor innervation for chewing?

Trigeminal nerve (V).

What is the principal motor function of the abducens nerve (VI)?

Lateral movement of the eyeball via the lateral rectus muscle.

Give two major functions of the facial nerve (VII).

Muscles of facial expression and secretion of tears/saliva (also taste from anterior two-thirds of tongue).

Which cranial nerve carries hearing and equilibrium information?

Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII).

Taste from the posterior one-third of the tongue is transmitted by which nerve?

Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX).

Name three autonomic functions regulated by the vagus nerve (X).

Motility and secretion of digestive organs, regulation of heart rate, constriction of respiratory passageways (any two acceptable).

Which cranial nerve controls the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles?

Accessory nerve (XI).

The hypoglossal nerve (XII) is primarily responsible for what actions?

Speech, manipulation of food, and swallowing via tongue movements.

What age-related changes commonly occur in the nervous system?

Neuron loss, slower impulse conduction, decreased information processing, slowed reflexes and voluntary movements, sensory declines.

Differentiate ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.

Ischemic strokes (≈85 %) result from blood clots blocking vessels; hemorrhagic strokes (≈15 %) result from ruptured or leaky vessels causing bleeding.

Define transient ischemic attack (TIA).

A brief episode of impaired cerebral blood flow causing temporary neurological deficits, usually lasting 5–10 minutes.

List two pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (along with widespread neuronal degeneration).

What are common symptoms of a brain tumor?

Depend on size/location; may include headaches, seizures, sensory/motor deficits, or cognitive changes.

ADHD is characterized by which three core features?

Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

During the third embryonic week, the thickens to form the neural plate.

Ectoderm.

Fusion of neural folds produces the , precursor to the brain and spinal cord.

Neural tube.

Name the three primary brain vesicles developed from the neural tube.

Prosencephalon (forebrain), mesencephalon (midbrain), and rhombencephalon (hindbrain).

Which secondary brain vesicle gives rise to the cerebrum?

Telencephalon.

Identify four types of brain waves detected by EEG and the state in which each predominates.

Alpha (awake, resting), beta (active thinking), theta (emotional stress/children), delta (deep sleep in adults).

Right-hemisphere dominance is often associated with which abilities?

Musical/artistic awareness, spatial perception, facial recognition, emotional content of language.

Left-hemisphere functions include and .

Reasoning, numerical/scientific skills, language, or sign-language ability (any two).

Which cerebral nuclei compose the corpus striatum, and what is its role?

Caudate nucleus and lentiform nucleus; initiate/terminate movements, suppress unwanted movements, regulate muscle tone.

What does the substantia nigra contribute to, and its degeneration leads to which disorder?

Motor control; its degeneration is linked to Parkinson’s disease.

Which two respiratory centers coordinate breathing and where are they located?

Medullary respiratory center in the medulla and pontine respiratory group in the pons.

The feeding and satiety centers are located in which part of the brain?

Hypothalamus.

What structure allows CSF to re-enter venous blood?

Arachnoid granulations (villi) into dural venous sinuses.

Which artery blockage most commonly causes ischemic stroke in the brain?

Middle cerebral artery (accept carotid system blockage).

Why can the BBB hinder pharmacologic treatment of brain diseases?

Because it prevents many therapeutic drugs from crossing into brain tissue.