Neuroanatomy and Physiology: Brain Structures, CSF, and Circulatory System

What percentage of the body's neural tissue does the adult human brain contain?

97 percent

How do male brains compare to female brains?

Larger

Which secondary brain vesicle forms the cerebrum?

Telencephalon

Which of these is not one of the main divisions of the adult brain?

A) cerebrum
B) diencephalon
C) prosencephalon

D) brainstem
E) cerebellum

Prosencephalon

What lies between the cerebrum and the brain stem?

Diencephalon

What forms the floor of the diencephalon?

Hypothalamus

Where are the tracts that connect the cerebellum to the brain stem located?

Pons

Where are autonomic centers that control blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion located?

Medulla oblongata

The cerebellum and pons develop from which brain vesicle?

Metencephalon

Which structure processes and relays sensory information to the cerebrum?

Thalamus

As you ascend from the medulla oblongata to the cerebrum, how do the functions of each level change?

Become more complex

What provides the principal link between the nervous and endocrine systems?

Hypothalamus

Which ventricle is associated with the pons and upper medulla?

Fourth

What is true about the cerebral cortex?

A) It is a deep layer of gray matter.
B) It is a superficial layer of gray matter.
C) It is a deep layer of white matter.

D) It is a superficial layer of white matter.
E) It is a deep layer of both white and gray matter.

It is a superficial layer of gray matter

Which area of the brain coordinates movements with learned experiences?

Cerebellum

What are the three primary brain vesicles formed during development?

Prosencephalon, mesencephalon, and rhombencephalon

Where are the lateral ventricles found?

In the cerebral hemispheres

What comprises the brain stem?

Medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain

What are the rounded elevations of the cerebrum that increase its surface area called?

Gyri

What is the wall between the lateral ventricles called?

Septum pellucidum

What is the passageway between the lateral ventricles and the third ventricle?

Interventricular foramen

What type of cells form the secretory component of the choroid plexus?

Ependymal cells

Where are the dural venous sinuses located?

In the dural folds

What structure adheres tightly to the surface of the brain and is covered by many blood vessels?

Pia mater

What vessels deliver blood to the brain?

Internal carotid and vertebral arteries

Which statement is not a property of the blood-brain barrier?

It is very permeable to many water and lipid-soluble compounds

What dural fold projects into the longitudinal fissure between cerebral hemispheres?

Falx cerebri

What is cerebrospinal fluid secreted by?

Ependymal cells

What is true regarding the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid of the spinal cord and brain?

Spinal fluid is secreted both in the brain and in the spinal cord areas

Where are the choroid plexuses located?

Only within the brain, not within the spinal cord.

What is the choroid plexus composed of?

Blood vessels.

Where does cerebrospinal fluid enter the blood circulation?

At the arachnoid granulations.

What contains a spider web-like network of cells and fibers through which cerebrospinal fluid flows?

Subarachnoid space.

Which of the following is not a function of cerebrospinal fluid?

Produces ATP for impulse transmission.

What is true regarding cerebrospinal fluid?

If CSF is not properly resorbed, the result would be hydrocephalus.

What may result in hydrocephalus?

Blockage of CSF circulation or excessive CSF production.

Where do arachnoid granulations extend into to return CSF to circulation?

Superior sagittal sinus.

What produces cerebrospinal fluid in each ventricle?

Choroid plexus.

What are the chambers within the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid called?

Ventricles.

What dural fold separates the cerebral hemispheres from the cerebellum?

Tentorium cerebelli.

What is the rapidity of CSF volume replacement?

Every 8 hours.

Where is blood located in a subdural hemorrhage?

Between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater.

What structure relays information from the red nuclei, midbrain, and cerebral cortex to the cerebellum?

Inferior olivary complex.

What regulates heart rate and blood pressure?

Medulla oblongata.

What does the medulla oblongata regulate?

Blood pressure and respiration.

What happens if the medulla oblongata is damaged?

It can result in death due to loss of control over vital centers.

What is the role of cerebrospinal fluid?

Provides cushioning for delicate neural tissues and buoyant support for the brain.

How is cerebrospinal fluid absorbed into the venous circulation?

Via arachnoid granulations.

What is the function of the arachnoid granulations?

To absorb cerebrospinal fluid into the venous circulation.

What is the composition of cerebrospinal fluid compared to blood plasma?

CSF is not identical in composition to blood plasma.

What can occur if CSF is not properly resorbed?

Hydrocephalus.

What is the primary function of the choroid plexus?

To produce cerebrospinal fluid.

What is the consequence of excessive production of cerebrospinal fluid?

Hydrocephalus.

What is the primary role of the medulla oblongata?

To control vital functions such as heart rate and breathing.

What is the significance of the superior sagittal sinus?

It is where CSF is returned to the blood circulation.

What is the main function of the dural sinuses?

To drain blood from the brain.

What anatomical feature is associated with the falx cerebri?

It is a dural fold that separates the cerebral hemispheres.

What is the relationship between the choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid?

The choroid plexus produces cerebrospinal fluid.

What is the primary function of ependymal cells?

To line the ventricles and produce cerebrospinal fluid.

What structure is involved in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid?

Cerebral aqueduct.

What is the role of the fourth ventricle?

To contain cerebrospinal fluid and connect to the central canal.

What is the function of the pia mater?

It is the innermost layer of the meninges that covers the brain.

What is the significance of the subarachnoid space?

It is where cerebrospinal fluid circulates around the brain.

What is the inferior olivary complex?

A structure in the brainstem.

What is the reticular formation?

A network of neurons in the brainstem.

What is the nucleus gracilis?

A nucleus in the medulla that relays sensory information.

What is the nucleus cuneatus?

A nucleus in the medulla that relays sensory information.

What is the solitary nucleus?

A nucleus in the medulla involved in autonomic functions.

Why can damage to the medulla oblongata result in death?

Because the vital centers for the control of blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are located there.

What do cardiovascular centers in the medulla oblongata adjust?

Heart rate, strength of cardiac contractions, and blood flow.

What term describes the crossing over of a tract to the opposite side of the nervous system?

Decussation.

Where is a tumor likely located if a patient has lost facial sensory and motor functions?

In the pons.

What function would be affected if the pons was damaged?

Breathing.

Which cranial nerves' nuclei are associated with the midbrain?

III and IV.

What structures do descending fibers from the pons to the cerebellum pass through?

Cerebral peduncles.

Where does the medulla oblongata relay auditory stimuli?

To the inferior colliculi.

What structure carries ascending sensory information to the thalamus?

Midbrain.

What are the nerve fiber bundles on the ventrolateral surface of the mesencephalon called?

Cerebral peduncles.

What is the corpora quadrigemina composed of?

Superior and inferior colliculi.

What directs the reflex movement of the head toward a loud noise?

Inferior colliculi.

What would damage to the corpora quadrigemina interfere with?

Visual and auditory reflex movements of the head and neck.

What indicates a tissue sample from the substantia nigra?

Many darkly pigmented cells.

What are the four masses on the posterior of the midbrain?

Corporas quadrigemina.

What controls alertness and attention in the mesencephalon?

Reticular activating system.

Which cerebellar peduncles link the cerebellum with nuclei in the pons?

Middle cerebellar peduncles.

What oversees postural muscles and maintains balance?

Cerebellum.

What separates the cerebellar hemispheres?

Vermis.

What forms the white matter of the cerebellum?

Arbor vitae.

What indicates a tissue sample from the cerebellar cortex?

Large, highly-branched Purkinje cells.

What is the disturbance in motor control caused by cerebellar damage called?

Ataxia.

What are the folds of the surface of the cerebellum called?

Folia.

Which of the following is not one of the thalamic nuclei?

Superior nuclei.

Which hypothalamic nucleus regulates circadian rhythms?

Suprachiasmatic nucleus.

What hormones does the hypothalamus produce?

Oxytocin and vasopressin.

Which hormones are associated with the hypothalamus?

ADH and oxytocin

What is true regarding the pineal gland?

It is part of the epithalamus and secretes melatonin.

The pineal gland is part of which brain structure?

Diencephalon

Which of the following is not a function of the hypothalamus?

Secrete melatonin

What is true of the epithalamus?

It forms the roof of the diencephalon.

The anterior nuclei of the thalamus are part of which system?

Limbic system