Human Anatomy and Physiology : Central Nervous System

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Central Nervous System

What carries pain and temperature sensation to the face?

Possible Answers:

Dorsal columns

Cranial nerve 7 (facial)

Cranial nerve 5 (trigeminal)

Spinothalamic tract

Spinocerebellar tract

Correct answer:

Cranial nerve 5 (trigeminal)

Explanation:

Unlike the body, where the spinothalamic tract sends pain and temperature information, the trigeminal nerve does this for the face. This is processed through the trigeminal ganglion which then synapsis to the spinal trigeminal nucleus before going to the thalamus.

Example Question #12 : Central Nervous System

Through where does touch information of the face pass?

Possible Answers:

Cranial nerve 7 (facial)

Fasciculus gracilus

Cranial nerve 5 (trigeminal)

Fasciculus cuneatus

Dorsal columns

Correct answer:

Cranial nerve 5 (trigeminal)

Explanation:

The face is unique in which the sensation of touch is processed through the trigeminal nerve through the trigeminal ganglion which later synapses to the chief nucleus. Don't confuse this with fasciculus gracilus, which transmits touch info from T8 and down and cuneatus that does T8 and up.

Example Question #13 : Central Nervous System

Which of these fiber is the least myelinated?

Possible Answers:

A alpha fibers

A beta fibers

C fibers

A delta fibers

All of these are equally myelinated

Correct answer:

C fibers

Explanation:

C fibers are the least myelinated fibers that carry sensory information. They are responsible for the "slow" more excruciating pain that people tend to experience after the initial pain occurs with an injury. They are known as the slow fibers because the less myelinated a fiber is the slower the conduction speed it has to send the information.

Example Question #14 : Central Nervous System

What type or types of nerve fibers are found in the dorsal roots of spinal nerves?

Possible Answers:

Visceral efferent (autonomic) axons only

Somatic efferent axons serving muscles derived from the dorsal body wall

Visceral afferent and somatic afferent axons

Somatic efferent axons only

Correct answer:

Visceral afferent and somatic afferent axons

Explanation:

Visceral afferent and somatic afferent axons are found in the dorsal roots of spinal nerves. The dorsal root emerges directly from the spinal cord and travels to the dorsal root ganglion. It then joins fibers with the ventral root to make a mixed spinal nerve. The dorsal root relays sensory information (thus has afferent axons).

Example Question #15 : Central Nervous System

Which of these is a feature of the somatic motor nervous system?

Possible Answers:

Some axons in peripheral nerves carry signals that prevent or weaken the contraction of skeletal muscle fibers

Muscle contraction ceases when neural stimulation ceases

Somatic motor outflow from the CNS is limited to the spinal cord from T1 through L1 or L2

The somatic motor nervous system includes a limited number of fibers from the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Correct answer:

Muscle contraction ceases when neural stimulation ceases

Explanation:

The somatic nervous system is the voluntary nervous system and part of the peripheral nervous system. It is associated with voluntary skeletal muscle control over body movements and is associated with involuntary reflex arcs. The somatic nervous system consists of afferent (relay sensations to central nervous system) and efferent (relays commands from central nervous system to the body) nerves stimulating muscle contractions. Thus muscle contraction ceases when neural stimulation ceases.

Example Question #16 : Central Nervous System

At which vertebra is the conus medullaris found?

Possible Answers:

T2

T12

L2

S2

C1

Correct answer:

L2

Explanation:

The conus medullaris is the cone-shaped ending of the spinal cord and it is found at the level of the second lumbar vertebrae (L2). It is located superior to the cauda equina.

Example Question #226 : Systems Physiology

The cauda equina falls within which area?

Possible Answers:

S5 to C0

T12 to C0

T12 to L5

conus medullaris to C0

L5 to S5

Correct answer:

conus medullaris to C0

Explanation:

The cauda equina is the bottom of the conus medullaris. It extends from the conus medullaris and terminates at C0 vertebrae.

Example Question #16 : Central Nervous System

Which of these areas in the spinal cord is responsible for sensory information?

Possible Answers:

central canal

Dorsal root

Ventral root

lateral horn

gray commissure

Correct answer:

Dorsal root

Explanation:

The Dorsal root is responsible for sensory information because it contains the somae of sensory neurons. The Ventral root, on the other hand, contains the somae of motor neurons and therefore is responsible for the motor division.

Example Question #1 : Help With Brain Physiology

What region in the brain may have been damaged if a person has trouble understanding language?

Possible Answers:

Wernicke's Area

Hippocampus

Amygdala

Hypothalamus

Broca's area

Correct answer:

Wernicke's Area

Explanation:

Receptive aphasia, the inability to understand language, is caused by ischemia to Wernicke's area. Wernicke's area is essential to incorporation of language and understanding. In contrast, Broca's area is used in language formation and speech. Someone with expressive aphasia, the inability to form words, has had damage to Broca's area in the inferior frontal gyrus.

The hippocampus is located in the temporal lobe and is responsible for memory formation. The amygdala is located in the brain interior and is responsible for aggression and libido. The globus pallidus is a subcortical structure that is responsible for initiating voluntary movement.

Example Question #2 : Help With Brain Physiology

An unsteady gait or off-balance feeling could indicate that what part of the brain is being affected?

Possible Answers:

Cerebellum

Temporal lobe

Parietal lobe

Frontal lobe

Occipital lobe

Correct answer:

Cerebellum

Explanation:

The cerebellum, located inferoposterior to the cerebrum, is the portion of the brain that controls balance and coordinated muscle movements.

The frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes are all regions of the cerebrum. Each lobe is associated with different types of processing. The frontal lobe helps with motor integration and conscious thought. The temporal lobe is associated with memory and auditory integration. The parietal lobe is responsible for somatosensory inputs. The occipital lobe houses the visual cortex.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors