Human Anatomy and Physiology : Neural Physiology

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Cranial Nerves

Which cranial nerve is responsible for mastication?

Possible Answers:

Trochlear

Trigeminal

Vagus

Glossopharyngeal

Facial

Correct answer:

Trigeminal

Explanation:

Face, nose, and mouth sensations, as well as mastication (or chewing), are controlled by the trigeminal nerve.

The facial nerve is associated with taste, facial expression, and production of tears and saliva. Sensation and swallowing in the pharynx are controlled by the glossopharyngeal nerve. The vagus nerve supplies the pharynx, larynx, and the viscera of the thorax and abdomen. Eye movement is controlled by the trochlear nerve. 

Example Question #2 : Cranial Nerves

The lungs, liver, stomach, and kidneys are all innervated by which cranial nerve?

Possible Answers:

Trigeminal

Abducens

Accessory

Vagus

Trochlear

Correct answer:

Vagus

Explanation:

The vagus nerve supplies the viscera of the thorax and abdomen, including the liver, stomach, kidneys, and lungs. The accessory nerve is a motor nerve supplying the neck muscles, pharynx, and larynx. Eye movement is controlled by the abducens nerve. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for face, nose, and mouth sensations and for chewing. Eye movement is controlled by the trochlear nerve.

Example Question #2 : Cranial Nerves

Which of these cranial nerves (CN) does not have parasympathetic function?

Possible Answers:

Accessory nerve (CN XI)

Vagus nerve (CN X)

Facial nerve (CN VII)

Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Correct answer:

Accessory nerve (CN XI)

Explanation:

CN XI only has motor function (innervation of the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles). The other nerves listed have the following parasympathetic functions: pupil constriction (CN III), salivation (CN VII and CN IX) and parasympathetic modulation over multiple internal organs (CN X).

Example Question #3 : Cranial Nerves

Which of the following describes the function of cranial nerve (CN) XI?

Possible Answers:

Tongue movement 

Hearing and balance

Smell

Eye movement via the lateral rectus muscle 

Head turning, shoulder shrugging (sternocleidomastoid and trapezius)

Correct answer:

Head turning, shoulder shrugging (sternocleidomastoid and trapezius)

Explanation:

CN XI (accessory nerve) is responsible for head turning and shoulder shrugging via its innervation of sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. CN I (olfactory) is involved in olfaction. CN VI (abducens) allows for eye movement via its innervation of lateral rectus. CN VIII (vestibulocochlear) functions in hearing and balance. CN XII (hypoglossal) is responsible for tongue movement.

Example Question #1 : Cranial Nerves

What is cranial nerve VIII

Possible Answers:

The facial nerve

The optic nerve

The vestibulocochlear nerve

The vagus nerve

Correct answer:

The vestibulocochlear nerve

Explanation:

Cranial nerve (CN) VIII is the vestibulocochlear nerve. It is purely sensory in function, and is involved in audition, and proprioception. CN VII is the facial nerve. CN X is the vagus nerve. CN II is the optic nerve. 

Example Question #5 : Identifying Cranial Nerve Function

Which cranial nerve innervates the larynx?

Possible Answers:

The accessory nerve

The vagus nerve

IX

XII

Correct answer:

The vagus nerve

Explanation:

The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) innervates the larynx, and is involve in speech production. The accessory nerve innervates the muscles in the neck and upper back. Cranial nerve IX is the glossopharyngeal nerve and innervates the pharynx. Cranial nerve XIII is the hypoglossal nerve that innervates the tongue. 

Example Question #3 : Cranial Nerves

What is the function of cranial nerve III?

Possible Answers:

Controls the muscle that makes the eye look to the side

Carries visual information from the back of the eyes to the brain

Controls most of the muscles that move the eyeball

Controls a muscle that helps rotate the eye down and out

Correct answer:

Controls most of the muscles that move the eyeball

Explanation:

Cranial nerve III is the oculomotor nerve, which controls most of the muscles needed for eye movement. Also, this nerve controls the ciliary muscle and is responsible for pupillary constriction via parasympathetic innervation. The cranial nerve that makes the eye look to the side is the abducens nerve or cranial nerve VI. The muscle that helps roate the eye down and out is the trochlear nerve or cranial nerve IV. The nerve that carries visual information from the back of the eyeballs to the brain is the optic nerve or cranial nerve II.

Example Question #111 : Neural Physiology

Which nerve passes through the mandibular foramen?

Possible Answers:

Optic nerve

Opthalmic nerve

Linguinal nerve

Inferior alveolar nerve

Vagus nerve

Correct answer:

Inferior alveolar nerve

Explanation:

The inferior alveolar nerve passes through the mandibular foramen. It has motor and sensory components. It serves to give the lower face and jaw sensation and is also responsible for stimulating the muscles for movement of the jaw.

Example Question #112 : Neural Physiology

Which branch of the trigeminal nerve provides sensation to the upper lip?

Possible Answers:

Buccal nerve

Mandibular nerve 

Ophthalmic nerve 

Cervical nerve

Maxillary nerve 

Correct answer:

Maxillary nerve 

Explanation:

The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) is responsible for facial sensation and motor functions, such as biting and chewing. The trigeminal nerve has three major branches (hence: tri-): the ophthalmic nerve (V1), the maxillary nerve (V2), and the mandibular nerve (V3). The opthalmic and maxillary nerves are purely sensory, and the mandibular nerve has both sensory and motor functions. VI provides sensation to the forehead, upper eyelids, and the bridge and tip of the nose. V2 provides sensation lateral to the eyelids, the cheeks, nostrils, and upper lip. V3 provides sensation to the lower lip, chin, skin over the jaw, and pre-auricular area.

Example Question #113 : Neural Physiology

Which cranial nerve(s) supply taste sensation to the tongue?

Possible Answers:

VII and IX

VII only

IX only

VII and X

IX and X

Correct answer:

VII and IX

Explanation:

Cranial nerves VII and IX supply taste sensation to the tongue. Cranal nerve VII (facial) supplies taste to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and cranial nerve IX (glossopharyngeal) supplies somatosensation and taste to the posterior one-third of the tongue.

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