Brain Anatomy and Functions

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Questions and Answers

What is the standard initial treatment for stroke?

Intravenous fluids

Oral aspirin (correct)

Surgical intervention

Heparin injection

Which modifiable risk factor is associated with stroke prevention?

Hypertension (correct)

Gender

Age

Genetics

What is a clinical stroke primarily characterized by?

Symptoms occurring only during sleep

Rapid onset of symptoms lasting more than 24 hours (correct)

Symptoms associated with infection

Gradual onset of symptoms

Which treatment reduces the risk of further ischaemic strokes but increases the risk of brain hemorrhage?

Heparin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a condition that may mimic the symptoms of a stroke?

Epileptic seizure Signup and view all the answers

What is the lifetime risk of experiencing a stroke for men?

1 in 4 Signup and view all the answers

Which lifestyle change is recommended for those with hypertension to lower stroke risk?

Regular physical activity Signup and view all the answers

What effect do statins have in relation to stroke risk?

Reduce cholesterol levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that leads to a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)?

Interruption of blood supply to the brain Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding the resolution of TIAs?

90% of TIAs resolve within 90 minutes. Signup and view all the answers

Which brain function is primarily controlled by the motor cortex?

Movement Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of the brain's structure in relation to body representation?

Certain body parts, like the face and hands, are overrepresented. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the body's total energy does the brain use?

20% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT increase the risk of stroke?

Regular exercise Signup and view all the answers

The cerebral cortex is responsible for which of the following functions?

Processing sensations like touch and sight Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study?

Both participants and researchers are unaware of who receives treatment or placebo. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of strokes in the majority of cases?

Infarction Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the meninges is the outermost and toughest?

Dura mater Signup and view all the answers

What is a common treatment option for managing increased cholesterol in stroke patients?

Statins Signup and view all the answers

Which condition represents a smaller percentage of stroke causes than atherothromboembolism?

Rarities Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for deciding the treatment approach for a stroke?

Understanding brain anatomy Signup and view all the answers

Which structural feature primarily protects the brain and spinal cord?

Meninges Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of strokes are attributable to haemorrhage?

15% Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment method might be considered for patients with carotid stenosis?

Carotid surgery Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is NOT part of the corpus striatum?

Postcentral gyrus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the precentral gyrus?

Executing voluntary motor functions Signup and view all the answers

Which area is primarily responsible for processing auditory information?

Transverse gyrus of the temporal lobe Signup and view all the answers

What type of sensory information does the somatic sensory area primarily process?

Touch and temperature Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures receives sensory impulses from receptors activated by heat, cold, and touch?

Postcentral gyrus Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the brain's ability to adapt and reorganise its functions in response to experience or injury?

Cerebral plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the falx cerebri?

To partition the two cerebral hemispheres Signup and view all the answers

How is sensory information from the body mapped in the brain?

Proportionally based on sensory receptor density Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the location of the dura mater?

It lines the inner roof of the cranium and extends to the spinal nerve roots. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the choroid plexuses?

They produce cerebrospinal fluid. Signup and view all the answers

Which function is NOT attributed to the basal nuclei?

Processing auditory information Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is responsible for reabsorbing cerebrospinal fluid into the blood?

Arachnoid villus Signup and view all the answers

What separates the two hemispheres of the cerebellum?

Falx cerebelli Signup and view all the answers

Cerebrospinal fluid flows through several structures; which of the following is the correct sequence starting from the lateral ventricles?

Lateral ventricles, interventricular foramen, third ventricle, cerebral aqueduct, fourth ventricle Signup and view all the answers

Which space lies just below the dura mater?

Subdural space Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a space between the meninges?

Arachnoid space Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is primarily responsible for integration of basic vital functions?

Medulla oblongata Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the thalamus?

Processing of sensory information Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is involved in the subconscious integration of basic reflexes?

Spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is primarily involved in higher-level processing of sensory and motor information?

Cerebral cortex Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the basal nuclei?

Coordination of voluntary movements Signup and view all the answers

What does the reticular formation primarily regulate?

State of consciousness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflexes is NOT primarily integrated by the midbrain?

Digestion reflexes Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the hypothalamus in the limbic system?

Controlling thirst and appetite Signup and view all the answers

Which structure connects the left and right hemispheres of the cerebrum?

Corpus callosum Signup and view all the answers

What does short-term memory involve?

Retrieving information lasting a few seconds or minutes Signup and view all the answers

How do aspirin and heparin function in the context of stroke treatment?

Aspirin reduces platelet stickiness; heparin thins the blood Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of a posterior circulation stroke?

Dysphagia Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the nervous system is primarily involved in processing emotional responses?

Limbic system Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Outcomes

Describe the blood supply of the brain
Differentiate between anterior and posterior circulations
Describe the structure of the cerebral cortex
Understand sensory and motor functions of the cerebral cortex
Explain language functions of the cerebral cortex
Describe pathways in the spinal cord for motor and sensory functions
Recognize Parkinson's disease features
Recognize the presentation of a stroke and TIA
List risk factors for a stroke
Outline initial stroke investigation
Describe key features of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Outline initial treatment for an acute stroke

The Brain

Uses 20% of the total energy expenditure
Independent of how hard you think
Blood supply is vital for delivering oxygen and nutrients
Needs sleep
Contains 86 billion neurons with a quadrillion synapses (1 followed by 15 zeros)
Essential for movement and balance

Brain Anatomy (Page 2)

Sensory cortex processes information from the senses
Motor cortex controls movements
Specific areas of the cortex are dedicated to different functions (hearing, vision, touch, speech, language, emotions, breathing, circulation, appetite, thirst, dreams, ideas)
Different parts of the body have different levels of representation in the brain (face & hands are overrepresented)

Motor and Sensory Pathways (Page 3)

Neurons cross over in the medulla (brain stem), controlling opposite sides of the body.
Illustrates the pathways between the brain, spinal cord.

Stroke and TIA (Page 3, 4)

Stroke and TIA are caused by interruption of blood supply to the brain.
TIA usually lasts 90 minutes but can be temporary.
Risk increases with age, more common for men.

Types of Stroke (Page 5)

Divided based on circulation patterns (anterior and posterior)
Anterior circulation: Carotid arteries, Anterior cerebral, Middle cerebral arteries.
Posterior circulation: Basilar and Vertebral arteries.

Treatment of Stroke (Page 6)

Aspirin beneficial for heart attacks, reduces platelet stickiness.
Heparin thins blood for clotting in veins; benefit in strokes is unclear.
Treatment of choice is oral aspirin.
Lifetime risk 1 in 4 men, 1 in 5 women.

Conditions Mimicking Stroke (Page 7)

Brain tumors, Brain abscesses
Bleeding around the brain
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Neurological conditions (multiple sclerosis, epilepsy)
Epileptic seizures

Modifiable Risk Factors for Stroke (Page 7)

Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Smoking
Hyperlipidemia (high blood fat)
Diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar)
Excessive alcohol use
Atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm)

Arteries Supplying the Brain (Pages 27-28)

Detailed diagram displays circulatory routes to the brain
Anterior and Posterior Circulation branches.

Anterior/Posterior Circulation Strokes (Page 29)

Anterior: loss of movement and/or sensory function affecting face.
Posterior: Facial weakness, eye movement problems, coordination loss.

Treatment of Stroke (Page 30)

Aspirin: reduces platelet stickiness.
Heparin: thins blood, treats clots in veins.
Oral aspirin is the standard treatment.

Brain and Spinal Cord Coverings (Pages 8, 9, 12)

The outer layer is the dura mater.
Inner layer, Pia mater.
Middle layer, Arachnoid mater.
Meninges protect brain and spinal cord.

Central Nervous System (CNS) - Brain and Spinal Cord (Pages 10, 13, 20)

Details of anatomy parts and locations.
Illustrates cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and formation.

Cerebral Cortex, White Matter, Association Fibers (Pages 14, 15, 16, 17)

Grey matter (outside) and white matter (inside).
Different types of tract fibers (projection, association, commissural) connecting different parts of the brain and other portions of the nervous system.

Basal Nuclei, Structures of the Limbic System (Pages 18, 22)

Brain regions associated with motor control, learning, thinking, memory and emotion.
Short-term and long-term memory storage illustrated.

Brainstem Structures (Page 23)

Illustrated overview, key roles relating to basic life functions, and integration of functions.
Details locations, structures and roles of the brainstem structures (Medulla, Pons, Midbrain).

Reticular Formation (Pages 20-21)

Critical in maintaining consciousness.
Plays a role in regulating levels of consciousness, and how the body responds to stimuli and information processing.

Functions Localized to Brain Areas (Pages 19, 24)

Precise functions and roles of different brain regions.
Sensory areas receive impulses from specific body parts/ sensory receptors.
Visual and auditory processing occur in specific areas in the brain.

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Description

This quiz explores the intricate anatomy of the brain, focusing on its blood supply, the structure of the cerebral cortex, and its sensory and motor functions. Participants will also learn about stroke and Parkinson's disease features, as well as initial treatments and investigations. Test your knowledge of the brain's essential role in movement, balance, and cognition.