Human Anatomy and Physiology : Gross Anatomy

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Human Anatomy and Physiology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #561 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following is not part of the cerebellum?

Possible Answers:

Dentate nucleus

Vermis

Flocculonodular lobe

Red nucleus

Correct answer:

Red nucleus

Explanation:

The red nucleus is part of the midbrain. The vermis is part of the cerebellum and helps regulate trunk coordination, as well as vestibulo-ocular reflexes (VORs). The flocculonodular lobes, also part of the cerebellum, and work with the vermis to maintain trunk control and also help control the VORs. The dentate nucleus is a part of the cerebellum involved in motor planning in movement of the arms and legs.

Example Question #86 : Organs

Which of the following cranial nerve nuclei is not correctly paired with the region of the brain where it originates?

Possible Answers:

Facial nerve-superior salivatory nucleus-medulla

Trigeminal nerve-masticator nucleus-pons

Facial nerve-facial motor nucleus-pons

Trigeminal nerve-mesencephalic nucleus-midbrain

Correct answer:

Facial nerve-superior salivatory nucleus-medulla

Explanation:

The salivatory nucleus gives rise to the nerves that innervate the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands, as well as the lacrimal and nasal glands, and is the parasympathetic motor nucleus of the facial nerve however, it is found in the dorsal pons, not the medulla. The masticator nucleus is the trigeminal nerve motor nucleus, and is found in the pons. The mesencephalic nucleus is a sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, and is found in the pons. The facial motor nucleus is found in the pons, and gives rise to the facial nerve branches that innervate the muscles of facial expression.

Example Question #562 : Gross Anatomy

Which of the following cranial nerve nucleus is not associated with a parasympathetic function?

Possible Answers:

Edinger-Westphal nucleus

Inferior salivatory nucleus

Superior salivatory nucleus

Nucleus ambiguus

Correct answer:

Nucleus ambiguus

Explanation:

The Edinger-Westphal nucleus is the parasympathetic nuclues of cranial nerve III, and innervates (among other structures) the pupillary constrictors and lens ciliary muscles. The inferior salivatory nucleus is the parasympathetic nucleus of cranial nerve IX, and gives rise to the nerve that innervates the parotid gland. The superior salivatory nucleus is the parasympathetic nucleus of the facial nerve, and innvervates (among other structures) the submandibular and sublingual glands. The nucleus ambiguus has no parasympathetic function and is associated with motor functions of cranial nerves IX and X.

Example Question #563 : Gross Anatomy

The precentral gyrus is located in which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Temporal lobe 

Insula

Occipital lobe

Parietal lobe

Frontal lobe

Correct answer:

Frontal lobe

Explanation:

The precentral gyrus is an important fold found in the frontal lobe and is a landmark for the primary motor area. The parietal lobe contains another important gyrus called the postcentral gyrus, which is the landmark for the somatosensory area of the cerebral cortex. The primary auditory area is located in the temporal lobe while the primary visual area is located in the occipital lobe. The insula is a structure that lies within the lateral fissure. It cannot be seen in the external view of the brain and plays a role in the limbic system. 

Example Question #11 : Identifying Structures Of The Brain

The postcentral gyrus is located in which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Temporal lobe

Frontal lobe

Occipital lobe

Insula 

Parietal lobe

Correct answer:

Parietal lobe

Explanation:

The postcentral gyrus, a landmark for the somatosensory area of the cerebral cortex, is located in the parietal lobe of the cerebral cortex.  The frontal lobe contains the precentral gyrus, which is a landmark for the primary motor area. The primary auditory area is located in the temporal lobe while the primary visual area is located in the occipital lobe. The insula is a fold in the cerebral cortex found within the lateral fissure. 

Example Question #12 : Identifying Structures Of The Brain

Which of the following structures is not a component of the brainstem?

Possible Answers:

Medulla oblongata 

All of these are components of the brainstem.

Pons

Cerebellum

Midbrain

Correct answer:

Cerebellum

Explanation:

The brainstem consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. The brainstem continues inferiorly to become the spinal cord. The brainstem is responsible for basic living functions, including but not limited to: respiration, circulation (including heart rate), and digestion. As such, any injury to the brainstem would be catastrophic. Additionally ten of twelve cranial nerves pass through the brainstem, going on to provide the face and neck with motor and sensory functions. Furthermore, nerve conduction of the motor and sensory systems of the brain and body pass through the brain stem including the corticospinal tract (involved in motor activity), the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway (involved in fine touch, vibration sensation, and proprioception), and the spinothalamic tract (involved in pain, temperature, itch, and crude touch).

Example Question #21 : Identifying Structures Of The Brain

Which of the following is not a lobe of the cerebrum?

Possible Answers:

Frontal

Posterior 

Parietal 

Occipital

Temporal 

Correct answer:

Posterior 

Explanation:

The cerebrum consists of four lobes: the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital. Some sources also include the limbic lobe (responsible for emotion and memory) and the insular cortex (responsible for pain).  The frontal lobe is responsible for conscious thought and executive functioning; damage to the lobe can result in mood and personality changes. The parietal lobe is important in sensory integration, in visuaospatial processing, and the manipulation of objects. The occipital lobe is responsible for sight; damage to the area can produce hallucinations and blindness. The temporal lobe is involved in the sense of smell and sound, memory, and it also plays a role in processing complex stimuli such as faces and scenes. 

Example Question #22 : Identifying Structures Of The Brain

The cerebral aqueduct (aqueduct of Sylvius) connects which two ventricles?

Possible Answers:

The first and the second

The first and the third

The second and the third

The third and the fourth

The fourth and the fifth

Correct answer:

The third and the fourth

Explanation:

The cerebral aqueduct, also known as the aqueduct of Sylvius, contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and connects the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle. The aqueduct allows for the flow of CSF through these areas. The cerebral aqueduct is clinically significant as it can be narrow (stenosis) leading to an obstruction of CSF, potentially leading to non-communicating hydrocephalus. 

Example Question #23 : Identifying Structures Of The Brain

What is the name of the structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain?

Possible Answers:

Corpus callosum

Fornix

Tectum

Corpora cavernosa

Thalamus

Correct answer:

Corpus callosum

Explanation:

The corpus callosum is a wide bundle of neural fibers that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres, allowing for interhemispheric communication. It consists of approximately 200-250 million axonal projections, making it the largest white matter structure in the brain (it has a high myelin content, thus facilitating faster information transmission).

The fornix is part of the limbic system; it allows for communication from the hippocampus to the mammillary bodies and then onto the thalamus. The thalamus is a relay station for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex. The tectum is the dorsal portion of the midbrain.

Example Question #24 : Identifying Structures Of The Brain

Which of the following structures is part of the pons?

Possible Answers:

None of these structures are part of the pons

Mammillary bodies

Pineal body

Corpora quadrigemina

Correct answer:

None of these structures are part of the pons

Explanation:

None of the above-listed structures is part of the pons. The corpora quadrigemina are part of the midbrain, and are involved reflexive head movements in response to visual and auditory stimuli. The mammilary bodies are part of the hypothalamus, and have functions related to memory. The pineal body is part of the epithalamus, and it secretes melatonin, which helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors