Human Anatomy and Physiology : Systems Physiology

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Peripheral Nervous System

Which of these is a feature of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Possible Answers:

The parasympathetic nervous system does not involve the spinal cord or spinal nerves

Parasympathetic stimulation causes dilation of blood vessels in the skin of the limbs

Some parasympathetic fibers pass through the paravertebral ganglia, others synapse there

Some parasympathetic fibers leave the CNS by specific cranial nerves

Correct answer:

Some parasympathetic fibers leave the CNS by specific cranial nerves

Explanation:

The parasympathetic nervous system conserves energy and is thus know as the "rest and digest" system. It slows heart rate, increases salivation, lacrimation, urination, deification, digestion, and sexual arousal. The nerves of the parasympathetic system arise in the CNS. Specific nerves include cranial nerves, including the oculomotor nerve, facial nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, and vagus nerve.

In the sympathetic nervous system some sympathetic fibers pass through the paravertebral ganglia, and others synapse there.

Example Question #211 : Systems Physiology

Which of the following nerves carries parasympathetic nerve fibers?

Possible Answers:

White ramus communicans

Sympathetic trunk

C3, C4, and C5 spinal nerves

Vagus nerve

Correct answer:

Vagus nerve

Explanation:

The vagus nerve (CNX) provides the heart and digestive tract with parasympathetic ("rest and digest") control.

Cranial nerves with associated parasympathetic activity include CN III, VII, IX, and X. The sympathetic trunk and the white ramus communicans are associated with the sympathetic nervous system. 

Example Question #212 : Systems Physiology

The ventral horn in the spinal cord contains which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Sensory nerves

Cerebrospinal fluid

Sensory neurons

Motor neurons

Correct answer:

Motor neurons

Explanation:

The spinal cord has both ventral and dorsal horns. The dorsal horns contain afferent neurons that receive sensory input from the environment, while the ventral horns contain efferent motor neurons that send impulses to the effector.

Nerves are separate structures that branch out from the spinal cord and central nervous system into the periphery. Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the components of the central nervous system and acts to protect the brain and spinal cord, as well as regulate the environment of the central nervous system.

Example Question #213 : Systems Physiology

What spinal tract carries sensory information about vibrations through the spinal cord before arriving at the post-central gyrus of the cerebral cortex?

Possible Answers:

Dorsal column medial lemniscal pathway

Corticobulbar pathway

Corticospinal pathway

Lateral spinothalamic pathway

Anterior spinothalamic pathway

Correct answer:

Dorsal column medial lemniscal pathway

Explanation:

The dorsal column medial lemniscal pathway is the sensory pathway of the neural system that transports vibration, proprioception, two-point discrimmination, and fine touch.

The lateral spinothalamic pathway is the sensory pathway that transports pain and temperature sensation.

The corticospinal pathway is the motor control pathway that travels from the brain—specifically the precentral gyrus—to the spinal cord.

The corticobulbar pathway is the motor control pathway that travels from the brain, to the brainstem and the cranial nerves.

The anterior spinothalamic pathway is sensory pathway for crude touch and pressure.

Example Question #214 : Systems Physiology

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is made by the choroid plexus in the lateral ventricals of the telencephalon. The CSF is then reabsorbed in the arachnoid villi in the superior sagittal sinus.

Before cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) travels from the third ventricle into the fourth ventricle, what does it flow through?

Possible Answers:

Foramen of Lushka

Foramen of Magendie

Foramen of Monro

Cerebral aqueduct of Sylvius

Central canal

Correct answer:

Cerebral aqueduct of Sylvius

Explanation:

The correct order of CSF flow is as follows:

Lateral ventricals, foramen of Monro, third ventricle, cerebrel aqueduct of Sylvius, fourth ventricle, foramen of Magendie (medial) and foramen of Lushka (lateral), central canal and subarachnoid space, superior sagittal sinus

Example Question #215 : Systems Physiology

Which of the following neural tracts regulate activity of the extensor muscles of the lower extremities?

Possible Answers:

Rubrospinal tract

Lateral vestibulospinal tract

Fasciculus gracilis

Tectospinal tract

Lateral spinothalamic tract

Correct answer:

Lateral vestibulospinal tract

Explanation:

The lateral spinothalamic tract is a sensory tract that conveys pain and temperature information. Although the tectospinal tract is a motor tract, it coordinates reflexive head movements in response to visual stimuli. The rubrospinal tract is also a motor tract, but it regulates activity of the upper extremity flexors. The fasciculus gracilis is a sensory tract carries proprioception, vibration, and light touch information, from the lower extremities.

Example Question #216 : Systems Physiology

The thoracic spine gives rise to how many segments? 

Possible Answers:

 

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The spinal cord consists of 31 segments/pairs. The cervical contains 8, thoracic contains 12, lumbar contains 5, sacral contains 5, and coccygeal contains 1. 

Example Question #217 : Systems Physiology

The dorsal column tracts ascend in the fasciculus gracilis and fasiculus cuneatus and cross over in the __________

Possible Answers:

spinal cord 

thalamus 

medulla 

hypothalamus 

midbrain 

Correct answer:

medulla 

Explanation:

The dorsal column track is an ascending system conveying somatic sensory information to the brain. The dorsal column tracts ascend in the fasiculus gracilis and fasiculus cuneatus. They synapse in the medulla so that signals from the left side of the body are transmitted to the right side, and vice versa. 

Example Question #218 : Systems Physiology

Where do the nuclei of the parasympathetic nervous system originate? 

Possible Answers:

Thoracolumbar (T1-L3) and S2-S4

Craniosacral region (cranial nerves and S2-S4)

S2-S4 only

Thoracolumbar region (T1-L3)

Correct answer:

Craniosacral region (cranial nerves and S2-S4)

Explanation:

Preganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic nervous system originate in the nuclei of the craniosacral region (cranial nerves and in the spinal cord segments of S2-S4). Those of the sympathetic nervous system originate in the thoracolumbar region (spinal cord segments of T1-L3).   

Example Question #219 : Systems Physiology

What passes through the anterior roots of the spinal cord?

Possible Answers:

Cell bodies of neurons

Axons of the neurons

Outgoing instructions 

Incoming sensory information

Correct answer:

Outgoing instructions 

Explanation:

The anterior roots are where outgoing instructions leave the spinal cord. The posterior roots are where incoming sensory information enter the spinal cord. Grey matter contains the cell bodies of neurons, while the white matter contains the axons of nerves. 

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