Ch 20 Study Guide Version

Flashcard #1
Term: What is the primary function of the Motor Area (Primary Motor Cortex)?
Definition: Generates voluntary somatic movements by sending descending signals through corticospinal, corticobulbar tracts.

Flashcard #2
Term: What clinical sign is associated with an Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) lesion in the motor area?
Definition: Hyperreflexia, test with Babinski sign.

Flashcard #3
Term: What type of information does the Primary Somatosensory Cortex receive?
Definition: Proprioception, touch, pain, temperature from the contralateral body via thalamic relay.

Flashcard #4
Term: What is stereognosis, a function involving the Sensory Area and association cortex?
Definition: Object recognition by touch.

Flashcard #5
Term: What is the primary role of the Association Areas of the brain?
Definition: Integrate incoming data with memory, emotion, reasoning to produce context, comprehension, and planning.

Flashcard #6
Term: What function is primarily associated with the left cerebral hemisphere?
Definition: Language and analytic functions.

Flashcard #7
Term: What is the main function of the Cerebellum?
Definition: Coordinates timing, force, and precision of skeletal muscle contraction; adjusts postural tone.

Flashcard #8
Term: What symptoms typically result from a Cerebellar injury?
Definition: Ataxia (wide-based gait), intention tremor, dysmetria, and nystagmus.

Flashcard #9
Term: What is the Thalamus often referred to as, regarding its role for the cerebral cortex?
Definition: "Gateway to cortex," as it filters, sorts, and amplifies sensory (except olfaction) and motor signals.

Flashcard #10
Term: What are two key homeostatic functions regulated by the Hypothalamus?
Definition: Temperature set-point, hunger, thirst, circadian rhythm, and autonomic/endocrine output (e.g., via pituitary).

Flashcard #11
Term: Which vital autonomic centers are housed in the Medulla Oblongata?
Definition: Cardiovascular (BP regulation), respiratory rhythm, emesis, coughing, and swallowing.

Flashcard #12
Term: What is the decussation of pyramids?
Definition: Approximately 90%90% of corticospinal fibers cross to the contralateral side in the Medulla Oblongata, leading to contralateral control.

Flashcard #13
Term: What is the primary function of the Limbic System?
Definition: Governs emotion, motivation, and memory consolidation.

Flashcard #14
Term: What structure is the largest commissural fiber bundle linking the left and right cerebral hemispheres?
Definition: Corpus Callosum.

Flashcard #15
Term: Where is Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) primarily produced?
Definition: By the choroid plexus (ependymal cells + fenestrated capillaries) mainly in the lateral ventricles.

Flashcard #16
Term: What type of nerve fibers are carried by the Dorsal (Posterior) Root of a spinal nerve?
Definition: Somatic and visceral sensory (afferent) fibers from the periphery to the spinal cord.

Flashcard #17
Term: Which type of neurons are preferentially destroyed by Poliomyelitis?
Definition: Anterior horn Lower Motor Neurons (LMNs).

Flashcard #18
Term: What is the primary pathological cause of Parkinson Disease?
Definition: Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.

Flashcard #19
Term: What are the two main pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer Disease?
Definition: β-amyloidβ-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (hyper-phosphorylated ττ).

Flashcard #20
Term: What does the F.A.S.T. mnemonic stand for in assessing a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)?
Definition: Face droop, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911.