Final Lecture Exam

🔹 AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS) 🔹

Q: What does the ANS control?
A: Involuntary motor output to heart, smooth muscle, glands—below conscious level.

Q: 2-neuron chain of ANS: what's the deal?
A: Preganglionic (CNS, myelinated, ACh) → Postganglionic (PNS ganglia, unmyelinated, ACh or NE).

Q: Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic neurotransmitters?
A: Symp: ACh then NE (or epi). Para: ACh then ACh.

Q: ANS main control center?
A: Hypothalamus = CEO of autonomics (influences brainstem, limbic, cortex).

Q: Parasympathetic = “___ and ___”?
A: Rest and Digest (slows heart, increases digestion).

Q: Sympathetic = “___ or ___”?
A: Fight or Flight (boosts heart, dilates pupils, stops digestion).

Q: Sympathetic outflow location?
A: Thoracolumbar (T1–L2 lateral horns).

Q: Parasympathetic outflow location?
A: Craniosacral (brainstem, S2–S4).

Q: What are white and gray rami?
A: White = entry ramps (preganglionic, myelinated); Gray = exit ramps (postganglionic, unmyelinated).

Q: Main ganglia outside trunk for sympathetic system?
A: Celiac, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric (prevertebral ganglia).

Q: Adrenergic receptors: types and function?
A: Alpha = constrict. Beta = dilate or speed up.

🔹 PARASYMPATHETIC PATHWAYS 🔹

Q: CN III does what in parasympathetic function?
A: Oculomotor: pupillary constriction & lens shape.

Q: CN VII functions in parasympathetic role?
A: Facial: tears, nasal secretions, saliva.

Q: CN IX parasympathetic job?
A: Glossopharyngeal: saliva (parotid gland).

Q: CN X parasympathetic reach?
A: Vagus: thoracic & abdominal organs (slow heart, boost digestion).

🔹 SPINAL CORD & PNS 🔹

Q: Conus medullaris = ?
A: Tapered end of spinal cord at L1.

Q: What is the cauda equina?
A: Bundle of spinal nerve roots below L1 (looks like a horse’s tail).

Q: Function of spinal cord?
A: Relay info between brain & body; coordinate reflexes.

Q: Gray vs White matter in spinal cord?
A: Gray = processing (butterfly center). White = signal highways (outer tracts).

Q: Posterior vs Anterior horns?
A: Posterior = sensory input. Anterior = motor output. Lateral = autonomic motor.

Q: Spinal meninges—layers?
A: Dura mater → Arachnoid → Pia (DAP). CSF sits in subarachnoid space.

Q: Plexus = what and why?
A: Nerve networks = backup routes for signals (cervical, brachial, lumbar, sacral).

Q: Dermatome = ?
A: Skin slice innervated by one spinal nerve. Useful in diagnosing nerve/spinal injury.

🔹 REFLEXES & REFLEX ARCS 🔹

Q: Reflex arc steps?
A: Stimulus → Receptor → Sensory neuron → Integration center → Motor neuron → Effector.

Q: Monosynaptic vs Polysynaptic?
A: Mono = 1 synapse (faster). Poly = interneurons (more complex).

Q: Stretch reflex = ?
A: Muscle spindle senses stretch → causes same muscle to contract.

Q: Withdrawal reflex = ?
A: Pain → pull away (flexor contracts, antagonist relaxes).

Q: Ipsilateral vs Contralateral reflex?
A: Ipsilateral = same side. Contralateral = opposite side (ex: crossed extensor).

🔹 SPECIAL SENSES & CRANIAL NERVES 🔹

Q: CN I function?
A: Smell (olfaction). Sensory only.

Q: CN II function?
A: Vision. Sensory only.

Q: CN VIII function?
A: Hearing + balance (vestibular = position, cochlear = sound). Sensory only.

Q: CN III, IV, VI: what do they control?
A: Eye movement: III = most muscles + pupil, IV = down & out (sup. oblique), VI = lateral movement.

Q: CN V: job?
A: Trigeminal = facial sensation + mastication (chewing). Mixed.

Q: CN VII: job?
A: Facial = expression, taste (ant. 2/3), glands. Mixed.

Q: CN IX: job?
A: Glossopharyngeal = taste (post. 1/3), saliva, BP monitor, swallowing. Mixed.

Q: CN X: job?
A: Vagus = parasympathetic innervation to thorax/abdomen, swallowing, speaking. Mixed.

Q: CN XI & XII functions?
A: XI = head/neck movement. XII = tongue control. Motor only.