Functional Neuroanatomy Questions - p. 3
61. This thin extension of pia mater extends from the caudal end of the spinal cord to the tailbone and helps to anchor the spinal cord in place:
- A. cauda equina
- B. filum terminale
- C. conus medullaris
- D. denticulate ligament
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Correct answer: B
The filum terminale is a thin structure that extends from the caudal end end of the spinal cord to the coccyx (tailbone). It serves to anchor the spinal cord within the vertebral canal.
62. What is the most common type of synapse in the central nervous system?
- A. axodendritic
- B. axosomatic
- C. axoaxonic
- D. dendrodendritic
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Correct answer: A
The most common type of synapse in the central nervous system is an axodendritic synapse. In this type of synapse, the axon of one neuron forms a connection with the dendrite of another neuron. The other answer choices do occur, but are not as common as axodendritic synapses.
63. This type of neuron has a single axon and many dendrites:
- A. bipolar
- B. unipolar
- C. multipolar
- D. pseudo-unipolar
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Correct answer: C
Multipolar neurons are the most common type of neuron in the human nervous system and the nervous systems of other vertebrates. They usually have a single axon and many dendrites.
64. This type of glial cell provides the primary immune defense of the central nervous system:
- A. astrocyte
- B. microglia
- C. oligodendrocyte
- D. ependymal cell
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Correct answer: B
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). They constantly monitor the brain and spinal cord for signs of injury or infection and respond by engulfing pathogens, dead cells, and debris in a process called phagocytosis. This immune function helps maintain a healthy environment for neurons and supports recovery after injury.
65. This part of a neuron contains the nucleus of the cell:
- A. soma
- B. axon
- C. dendrites
- D. axon terminals
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Correct answer: A
The soma, also known as the cell body, is the central part of a neuron that contains the nucleus, along with other organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. It plays a vital role in integrating incoming signals from the dendrites and generating outgoing signals to the axon. The nucleus inside the soma contains the cell's DNA and directs cellular activity.
66. The primary function of the enteric nervous system is to control the function of the:
- A. respiratory system
- B. cardiovascular system
- C. gastrointestinal system
- D. endocrine system
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Correct answer: C
The enteric nervous system is a specialized branch of the autonomic nervous system that governs the function of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It regulates digestion, including motility, secretion, and blood flow within the GI system—largely independent of the brain and spinal cord.
67. These thin strands of connective tissue span the subarachnoid space and anchor the arachnoid mater to the pia mater:
- A. denticulate ligaments
- B. arachnoid trabeculae
- C. cauda equina
- D. choroid plexuses
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Correct answer: B
The arachnoid trabeculae are thin, web-like strands of connective tissue that extend from the arachnoid mater to the pia mater, spanning the subarachnoid space. They help suspend the brain and spinal cord in cerebrospinal fluid and contribute to the structural integrity of the meninges.
68. After a gunshot wound, a patient has near-total damage to the right side of her spinal cord at the level of C4. Which of the following outcomes is she most likely to experience?
- A. weakness or paralysis on the left side of her body below the injury
- B. loss of proprioception on the left side of her body below the injury
- C. loss of touch sensations on the left side of her body below the injury
- D. loss of pain sensations on the left side of the body below the injury
Show Answer
Correct answer: D
The patient has experienced a hemisection of the spinal cord, which would typically result in Brown-Sequard syndrome. That would cause weakness/paralysis and deficits in touch, proprioception, and vibration sense on the same side of the body below the injury. She would experience deficits in pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side of the body below the injury.
69. This term is used to refer to the pointed, lower end of the spinal cord:
- A. conus medullaris
- B. cauda equina
- C. foramen magnum
- D. filum terminale
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Correct answer: A
The conus medullaris is the tapered, cone-shaped lower end of the spinal cord. In adults, it typically ends around the L1–L2 vertebral level, although there's some variation. Below this point, the spinal cord transitions into the cauda equina, a bundle of spinal nerves descending within the vertebral canal.
70. In brain blood vessels, which cells form the tight junctions that are the main structural feature of the blood-brain barrier?
- A. glial cells
- B. smooth muscle cells
- C. endothelial cells
- D. oligodendrocytes
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Correct answer: C
Endothelial cells line the interior of brain capillaries and form tight junctions, which are the main structural feature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). These junctions limit the movement of substances between blood and brain tissue, helping protect the brain from toxins, pathogens, and fluctuations in blood composition.
71. In an electrical synapse, neurons communicate at a specialized region called a:
- A. synaptosome
- B. neurofibril node
- C. gap junction
- D. synaptic hillock
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Correct answer: C
Neurons in an electrical synapse communicate through gap junctions, which allow ions to pass directly between cells, enabling rapid, bidirectional signal transmission.
72. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly released by postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system?
- A. norepinephrine
- B. dopamine
- C. acetylcholine
- D. serotonin
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Correct answer: A
Postganglionic sympathetic neurons typically release norepinephrine, which acts on adrenergic receptors in target tissues. An important exception is sweat glands, where acetylcholine is released instead.
73. Where do most fibers of the corticospinal tract decussate (i.e., cross over)?
- A. anterior horn of the spinal cord
- B. medullary pyramids
- C. internal capsule
- D. cerebral peduncles
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Correct answer: B
The corticospinal tract is a major pathway for carrying movement-related information from the brain to the spinal cord. Most corticospinal tract fibers decussate (i.e., cross over) at the level of the medullary pyramids in the lower brainstem, forming the lateral corticospinal tract.
74. Which of the following is the thinnest layer of the meninges?
- A. dura mater
- B. arachnoid mater
- C. pia mater
- D. falx cerebri
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Correct answer: C
The pia mater is the innermost and thinnest meningeal layer. It closely adheres to the surface of the brain and spinal cord. In contrast, the dura mater is the thickest and toughest layer, and the arachnoid mater is intermediate in thickness.
75. Which of the following functions are the inferior olivary nuclei most closely associated with?
- A. Regulation of circadian rhythms
- B. Coordination and movement-related learning
- C. Control of emotional responses
- D. Maintenance of respiration
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Correct answer: B
The inferior olivary nuclei play a key role in motor learning and coordination. They send climbing fiber inputs to the cerebellum, helping it fine-tune movements and adapt based on sensory feedback. This pathway is especially important for learning new motor skills and correcting errors during movement.
76. This gyrus contains the primary somatosensory cortex:
- A. precentral gyrus
- B. cingulate gyrus
- C. postcentral gyrus
- D. superior temporal gyrus
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Correct answer: C
The postcentral gyrus is located posterior to the central sulcus and contains the primary somatosensory cortex, which is responsible for processing touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and proprioceptive information from the body.
77. When referring to the spinal cord, ventral means:
- A. Toward the back of the spinal cord
- B. Toward the front of the spinal cord
- C. Toward the brain
- D. Away from the midline
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Correct answer: B
Ventral refers to the front or belly side of the body. In the spinal cord, this means toward the front, where motor neurons exit to control muscles.
78. Which type of glial cell helps form the blood-brain barrier by extending end-feet that wrap around blood vessels in the brain?
- A. microglia
- B. astrocytes
- C. Schwann cells
- D. oligodendrocytes
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Correct answer: B
Astrocytes contribute to the blood-brain barrier by sending out processes (end-feet) that wrap around brain capillaries. These end-feet contribute to the formation and regulation of the blood-brain barrier.
79. Which division of the peripheral nervous system contains the most neurons?
- A. somatic nervous system
- B. sympathetic nervous system
- C. parasympathetic nervous system
- D. enteric nervous system
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Correct answer: D
The enteric nervous system is involved with the regulation of the gastrointestinal tract. It’s thought to contain somewhere between 400-600 million neurons, which would make it the largest and most complex division of the peripheral nervous system.
80. Which brain structure acts as a "relay station" by routing most sensory information (except smell) to the cerebral cortex?
- A. hippocampus
- B. thalamus
- C. amygdala
- D. hypothalamus
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Correct answer: B
The thalamus is often called the brain’s "relay station" because nearly all sensory information (except olfactory signals) passes through it before reaching the cerebral cortex for processing. In fact, a great deal of all of the information traveling to the cortex sis first sent to the thalamus. It plays a crucial role in filtering and directing information to the appropriate cortical areas.
81. Which type of neuron is primarily found in the anterior horn of the spinal cord?
- A. sensory neurons
- B. interneurons
- C. autonomic neurons
- D. motor neurons
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Correct answer: D
The anterior horn of the spinal cord primarily contains motor neurons. These are the lower motor neurons that send axons out through the ventral roots to innervate skeletal muscles. While some interneurons are present in this region, the anterior horn is defined by its population of large motor neuron cell bodies.
82. The cerebral cortex is primarily made up of:
- A. gray matter
- B. white matter
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Correct answer: A
The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer of the brain. It is made up primarily of gray matter that is extensively folded, forming ridges called gyri and grooves called sulci.
83. Which of the following types of substances would be most likely to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB)?
- A. Large, hydrophilic molecules
- B. Small, lipophilic molecules
- C. Charged ions
- D. medium-sized, hydrophilic molecules
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Correct answer: B
The blood-brain barrier is a complex that surrounds most of the blood vessels in the brain. It acts as a barrier between the bloodstream and the extracellular space of the brain, allowing only certain substances like water, oxygen, and small lipid-soluble substances to easily cross from the blood into the brain.
84. This sulcus separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes:
- A. central sulcus
- B. calcarine sulcus
- C. lateral sulcus (Sylvian fissure)
- D. longitudinal fissure
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Correct answer: C
The lateral sulcus (Sylvian fissure) is the boundary between the temporal lobe (below) and the frontal and parietal lobes (above). The central sulcus separates the frontal from the parietal lobe, the calcarine sulcus is within the occipital lobe, and the longitudinal fissure divides the two cerebral hemispheres.
85. Most of the cerebral cortex in humans is considered:
- A. neocortex
- B. allocortex
- C. mesocortex
- D. paleocortex
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Correct answer: A
Most of the cerebral cortex in humans is classified as neocortex, which is so named because it is thought to have appeared relatively recently in vertebrate evolution. The rest of the cerebral cortex is made up of either allocortex or mesocortex, which is a transition area between the neocortex and allocortex.
86. Which thin, web-like extensions of the arachnoid mater span the subarachnoid space and connect the arachnoid mater to the pia mater?
- A. denticulate ligaments
- B. arachnoid trabeculae
- C. choroid plexi
- D. filum terminale
Show Answer
Correct answer: B
Arachnoid trabeculae are delicate connective tissue strands that extend from the arachnoid mater to the pia mater, giving the subarachnoid space its “spider web” appearance.
87. Neurons in this brain region show especially high levels of activity when someone is looking at another person’s face, which led to the hypothesis that the region might play an important role in perceiving faces:
- A. occipital face region
- B. Wernicke's area
- C. fusiform face area
- D. precentral gyrus
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Correct answer: C
The fusiform face area (FFA) is strongly activated when people view faces, leading researchers to propose that it is specialized for face recognition. There is some debate, however, about whether the FFA is dedicated to faces specifically or whether it plays a broader role in visual perception of things we have high familiarity or expertise with.
88. The bundle of spinal nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord, resembling a “horse’s tail,” is called:
- A. Filum terminale
- B. Equina medullaris
- C. Denticulate ligaments
- D. Cauda equina
Show Answer
Correct answer: D
The spinal cord is shorter than the vertebral column, which causes nerves that innervate the lower limbs to bundle together as they travel down through the vertebral column to leave at the appropriate level. The bundling nerves resemble a "horse's tail," which in Latin is cauda equina.
89. A person experiences brain trauma and is left with an inability to form new memories (anterograde amnesia). Which of the brain regions below was most likely affected to cause this deficit?
- A. nucleus accumbens
- B. cerebellum
- C. hippocampus
- D. hypothalamus
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Correct answer: C
The hippocampus is critical for the formation of new declarative memories. Damage to the hippocampus often results in anterograde amnesia (an inability to form new memories).
90. In an industrial accident, a patient suffers a severe cervical spinal cord injury to the right side of her spinal cord, resulting in Brown-Séquard syndrome. Which of the following symptoms is most likely?
- A. loss of pain sensation on the right side of her body below the damage
- B. loss of touch and proprioception on the left side of her body below the damage
- C. paralysis on the left side of the body below the damage
- D. paralysis on the right side of the body below the damage
Show Answer
Correct answer: D
Brown-Séquard syndrome is a rare neurological condition caused by damage to one side of the spinal cord. This type of damage results in a distinct pattern of deficits due to the way different nerve tracts travel through the spinal cord. It can involve paralysis and loss of touch/proprioception on the same side as the damage, and loss of pain/temperature sensation on the opposite side from the damage.
