Functional Neuroanatomy Questions - p. 5
121. If a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is needed, from which region of the spinal cord is it typically obtained from?
- A. cervical
- B. thoracic
- C. lumbar
- D. sacral
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Correct answer: C
A sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is typically obtained from the lumbar region of the spine, below the end of the spinal cord (usually between L3–L4 or L4–L5). This area contains the lumbar cistern, which is filled with CSF but below the end of the spinal cord, making it a safe location to insert a needle without risking injury to the spinal cord.
122. When referring to brain structures above the brainstem, the term "dorsal" indicates:
- A. toward the front of the brain
- B. toward the back of the brain
- C. toward the top of the brain
- D. toward the bottom of the brain
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Correct answer: C
When we are looking at the spinal cord, dorsal refers to the back and ventral refers to the region nearest the abdomen. Above the level of the brainstem, however, dorsal refers to the superior portion of the brain and ventral refers to the inferior portion.
123. Which nucleus of the thalamus serves as the primary relay for auditory information?
- A. lateral geniculate nucleus
- B. pulvinar nucleus
- C. medial geniculate nucleus
- D. ventral posterolateral nucleus
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Correct answer: C
The medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus is the primary relay for auditory information, transmitting signals from the inferior colliculus to the auditory cortex in the temporal lobe.
124. What lobe of the brain is the primary auditory cortex found in?
- A. frontal
- B. parietal
- C. occipital
- D. temporal
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Correct answer: D
The primary auditory cortex is located in the temporal lobe of the brain, near the lateral (Sylvian) fissure. This region receives auditory information and is essential for processing basic features of sound such as pitch, loudness, and timing.
125. The substantia nigra pars reticulata has high numbers of these types of neurons:
- A. dopamine
- B. GABA
- C. serotonin
- D. acetylcholine
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Correct answer: B
The substantia nigra is made up of two distinct regions: the substantia nigra pars compacta and the substantia nigra pars reticulata. The substantia nigra pars reticulata is primarily populated with GABA neurons, while the substantia nigra pars compacta is primarily populated with dopamine neurons.
126. At the beginning of the new year, you are planning ahead and setting some goals for 2026. Which brain region below is most active in this long-term planning?
- A. cerebellum
- B. prefrontal cortex
- C. precentral gyrus
- D. hypothalamus
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Correct answer: B
The prefrontal cortex is heavily involved with executive functions, which involve processes that focus on controlling short-sighted behavior to be able to act with a goal in mind.
127. In which part of the brainstem are the superior and inferior colliculi found?
- A. midbrain
- B. pons
- C. medulla
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Correct answer: A
The superior and inferior colliculi are found in the midbrain; their locations are marked by four bumps on the posterior surface of the brainstem. The superior colliculi are involved in eye movements and visual processing, while the inferior colliculi are involved in auditory processing.
128. Which area of the primary somatosensory cortex receives the most direct sensory input from the thalamus?
- A. area 1
- B. area 2
- C. area 3
- D. area 4
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Correct answer: C
The primary somatosensory cortex is typically divided into 3 areas: area 3 (which is often subdivided into area 3a and 3b), 1, and 2. Area 3 receives the majority of somatosensory input directly from the thalamus, and the initial processing of information occurs here.
129. After a large holiday meal, you relax on the couch and watch a movie. Which of the following divisions of your nervous system would be most active during this period of relaxation?
- A. sympathetic nervous system
- B. parasympathetic nervous system
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Correct answer: B
The parasympathetic division promotes “rest and digest” functions (e.g., lowering heart rate and supporting digestion) while the sympathetic division handles “fight or flight.” While you're relaxing on the couch, your parasympathetic nervous system would be more active.
130. Where do most of the fibers in the corticospinal tract decussate (i.e., cross to the other side of the nervous system)?
- A. in the medulla
- B. in the pons
- C. in the midbrain
- D. in the spinal cord
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Correct answer: A
The upper motor neurons of the corticospinal tract leave the motor cortex and descend to the brainstem, continuing down into the medulla where the fibers form two bundles, known as the pyramids. At the base of the pyramids, about 90% of the fibers in the corticospinal tract decussate, or cross to the other side of the brainstem in a bundle called the pyramidal decussation.
131. Which of the following is a main input area of the basal ganglia?
- A. substantia nigra pars reticulata
- B. internal globus pallidus
- C. nucleus basalis of Meynert
- D. striatum
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Correct answer: D
Much of the information the basal ganglia receive comes from the cerebral cortex and travels first to the striatum, which is a main input area of the basal ganglia. The main output nuclei of the basal ganglia are the internal globus pallidus and the substantia nigra pars reticulata, which send projections out of the basal ganglia to the thalamus as well as to nuclei in the brainstem.
132. Each section of myelination on an axon is called a/an:
- A. node of Ranvier
- B. neurofibril
- C. axon hillock
- D. internode
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Correct answer: D
Sections of myelin on an axon are called internodes. The gaps between internodes are called nodes of Ranvier.
133. Which of the following regions of the cerebellum is most involved in controlling posture?
- A. lateral hemisphere
- B. primary fissure
- C. superior cerebellar peduncle
- D. vermis
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Correct answer: D
The vermis runs along the midline of the cerebellum, and is especially involved in controlling upright posture. It receives input from the vestibular system and spinal cord and helps to regulate the muscles of the trunk that maintain posture.
134. The ganglia of the parasympathetic nervous system are typically found:
- A. in a chain that runs alongside the spinal cord
- B. in the dorsal root ganglia
- C. in or very near the walls of the organs they supply
- D. in the cerebral cortex
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Correct answer: C
The parasympathetic ganglia are typically found near or in the wall of the organs they supply. The sympathetic ganglia, on the other hand, are typically found much closer to the spinal cord.
135. During which of the following activities would the default mode network be most likely to show its strongest activation?
- A. quiet rest with eyes closed while letting your mind wander
- B. tracking a moving dot on a screen and keeping a cursor centered on it
- C. doing rapid mental arithmetic under time pressure
- D. answering questions in a job interview
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Correct answer: A
Default mode network is a term used to describe interconnected regions of the brain that display suppressed activity during cognitively demanding tasks focused on external stimuli, and higher activity during states of quiet wakefulness and when someone engages in internally focused thought such as daydreaming or the recall of personal experiences.
136. A woman sustains a spinal cord injury that completely damages the right half of her cervical spinal cord at C6. Which of the following deficits would she most likely exhibit?
- A. loss of pain and temperature sensation on the right side below the injury
- B. loss of tactile discrimination on the right side below the injury
- C. weakness or paralysis on the left side below the injury
- D. loss of proprioception on the left side below the injury
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Correct answer: B
Damage to the right half of the spinal cord disrupts the dorsal column pathway (which is responsible for tactile discrimination, vibration, pressure, and proprioception) before it decussates, leading to loss of these sensations on the right (ipsilateral) side below the injury.
137. Chemical signaling between neurons alters membrane potential through receptor activation. In which neuronal region does this process most commonly occur?
- A. dendrite
- B. axon
- C. nucleus
- D. synaptic boutons
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Correct answer: A
Chemical signaling between neurons most commonly occurs at synapses on the dendrites, where neurotransmitters bind to receptors and alter membrane conductance. These receptor-mediated changes produce graded potentials that influence whether the neuron will generate an action potential.
138. Which of the following structures is NOT part of the cerebral cortex?
- A. Broca's area
- B. precentral gyrus
- C. lateral sulcus
- D. thalamus
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Correct answer: D
The thalamus is a deep, subcortical structure located in the diencephalon that acts primarily as a relay station, routing most sensory and motor information to and from the cortex.
139. This space is located between the dura mater of the spinal cord and the bone of the vertebral column and is commonly used for the administration of analgesics and anesthetics:
- A. subarachnoid space
- B. epidural space
- C. subdural space
- D. central canal
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Correct answer: B
The epidural space lies between the dura mater and the vertebral canal. It is a common site for epidural anesthesia and analgesia, such as during childbirth or surgery.
140. Which sulcus separates the parietal lobe into the superior and inferior parietal lobules?
- A. central sulcus
- B. lateral sulcus
- C. postcentral sulcus
- D. intraparietal sulcus
Show Answer
Correct answer: D
The intraparietal sulcus runs horizontally across the lateral surface of the parietal lobe and divides it into the superior and inferior parietal lobules.
141. Which two brain regions contain the largest concentrations of dopamine-producing neurons?
- A. caudate nucleus and putamen
- B. substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area
- C. nucleus accumbens and amygdala
- D. hypothalamus and thalamus
Show Answer
Correct answer: B
There are several areas of the brain where dopamine neurons are concentrated. The largest are the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area in the midbrain.
142. The cell bodies of sensory neurons that enter the spinal cord are located in which structure below?
- A. dorsal root ganglion
- B. ventral horn
- C. dorsal horn
- D. ventral root ganglion
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Correct answer: A
Neurons carrying sensory information enter the back of the spinal cord as dorsal rootlets, which all emerge from a single dorsal root. The cell bodies of these sensory neurons are contained in a cluster of cell bodies called a dorsal root ganglion.
143. These glial cells provide metabolic support to neurons and help maintain the blood-brain barrier:
- A. oligodendrocytes
- B. astrocytes
- C. ependymal cells
- D. microglia
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Correct answer: B
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells with many functions, which include providing nutrient support to neurons, helping repair damage to nervous system tissue, regulating communication between neurons, and maintaining the blood-brain-barrier, which keeps potentially toxic substances in the blood from entering the brain.
144. Which term below refers to a collection of specialized midline brain structures that lack a normal blood–brain barrier in order to enable bidirectional communication between the brain and the blood?
- A. basal ganglia
- B. limbic system
- C. reticular formation
- D. circumventricular organs
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Correct answer: D
The circumventricular organs are a group of structures lacking a blood-brain barrier that are centered around the ventricles of the brain. These structures are thought to be lacking a blood-brain barrier because their functions require access to the bloodstream.
145. Which pathway within the anterolateral system terminates in the periaqueductal gray and is thought to play a role in pain inhibition?
- A. spinothalamic tract
- B. spinoreticular tract
- C. spinomesencephalic tract
- D. dorsal columns-medial lemniscus pathway
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Correct answer: C
The spinomesencephalic tract plays an important role in the control and inhibition of pain. Fibers in the spinomesencephalic tract follow the same path as the spinothalamic tract but they synapse in an area of the midbrain called the periaqueductal gray.
146. A person experiences damage to Wernicke’s area. Which of the following deficits is most likely to occur?
- A. loss of vision in the right visual field
- B. fluent but nonsensical speech along with poor language comprehension
- C. inability to form new long-term memories
- D. difficulty producing fluent speech despite normal language comprehension
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Correct answer: B
Damage to this Wernicke's area often results in a condition called Wernicke's aphasia, where patients are able to produce speech that resembles fluent language but actually is meaningless. Patients with Wernicke’s aphasia also typically suffer from a deficiency in their ability to understand language.
147. Parasympathetic preganglionic neurons release acetylcholine. What is the primary neurotransmitter released by parasympathetic postganglionic neurons?
- A. acetylcholine
- B. serotonin
- C. norepinephrine
- D. dopamine
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Correct answer: A
Parasympathetic postganglionic neurons primarily release acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter binds to muscarinic receptors on target organs, producing effects like slowing the heart rate, stimulating digestion, etc.
148. What is the name for the extension of the meninges that extends from the end of the spinal cord to the tailbone and helps anchor the cord in place?
- A. cauda equina
- B. filum terminale
- C. dorsal root ganglion
- D. conus medullaris
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Correct answer: B
An extension of the meninges called the filum terminale extends from the end of the spinal cord to the tailbone to anchor the cord in place.
149. Which tract carries visual information from the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus to the primary visual cortex?
- A. optic nerve
- B. optic tract
- C. optic radiation
- D. optic chiasm
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Correct answer: C
Most of the visual information that leaves the retina is sent to a nucleus in the thalamus called the lateral geniculate nucleus. From there it is sent back to the primary visual cortex via large bundles of axons called the optic radiations.
150. This sulcus forms a boundary between the parietal and occipital lobes:
- A. intraparietal sulcus
- B. calcarine sulcus
- C. parieto-occipital sulcus
- D. lateral sulcus
Show Answer
Correct answer: C
The parieto-occipital sulcus forms a boundary between the occipital and parietal lobes, primarily on the medial surface of the brain.
