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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the corpus callosum?
What is the primary function of the corpus callosum?
Which area of the brain is primarily responsible for relaying sensory information?
Which area of the brain is primarily responsible for relaying sensory information?
What is the role of the hypothalamus in relation to the endocrine system?
What is the role of the hypothalamus in relation to the endocrine system?
What does cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) primarily provide for the central nervous system?
What does cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) primarily provide for the central nervous system?
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Which layer of the meninges is directly attached to the brain and spinal cord?
Which layer of the meninges is directly attached to the brain and spinal cord?
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What is the primary function of the blood-brain barrier?
What is the primary function of the blood-brain barrier?
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Which of the following is a characteristic function of the brainstem?
Which of the following is a characteristic function of the brainstem?
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What does cerebellar hypoplasia refer to?
What does cerebellar hypoplasia refer to?
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Which component is primarily involved in muscle movement fine-tuning?
Which component is primarily involved in muscle movement fine-tuning?
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What comprises the diencephalon?
What comprises the diencephalon?
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What is primarily responsible for the functional separation of the brain from circulation?
What is primarily responsible for the functional separation of the brain from circulation?
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What type of neurons are found in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord?
What type of neurons are found in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord?
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Which neurotransmitter is considered the primary one of the sympathetic nervous system?
Which neurotransmitter is considered the primary one of the sympathetic nervous system?
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What best characterizes the autonomic nervous system's parasympathetic division?
What best characterizes the autonomic nervous system's parasympathetic division?
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What is the role of the ventral roots of the spinal cord?
What is the role of the ventral roots of the spinal cord?
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Which of the following statements about the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is true?
Which of the following statements about the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is true?
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What type of reflexes involve the contraction of skeletal muscles?
What type of reflexes involve the contraction of skeletal muscles?
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What is the primary function of the astrocytes in relation to blood vessels?
What is the primary function of the astrocytes in relation to blood vessels?
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Which part of the nervous system is associated with the fight or flight response?
Which part of the nervous system is associated with the fight or flight response?
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Which of the following accurately describes a characteristic of the spinal cord?
Which of the following accurately describes a characteristic of the spinal cord?
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What is the primary function of the cerebrum?
What is the primary function of the cerebrum?
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Which brain structure is responsible for maintaining basic life functions?
Which brain structure is responsible for maintaining basic life functions?
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What connects the cerebrum to primitive brain structures?
What connects the cerebrum to primitive brain structures?
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Which part of the brain is primarily involved in coordinating motor control?
Which part of the brain is primarily involved in coordinating motor control?
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Which of the following is NOT a component of a reflex arc?
Which of the following is NOT a component of a reflex arc?
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What is the role of cerebrospinal fluid?
What is the role of cerebrospinal fluid?
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Which cranial nerve is involved in the pupillary light reflex?
Which cranial nerve is involved in the pupillary light reflex?
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Which of the following statements about grey matter is incorrect?
Which of the following statements about grey matter is incorrect?
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How does the sympathetic nervous system primarily function?
How does the sympathetic nervous system primarily function?
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Which reflex is characterized by a quick withdrawal from a painful stimulus?
Which reflex is characterized by a quick withdrawal from a painful stimulus?
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Study Notes
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the structures and functions of the cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon, and brain stem.
- Describe the connective tissue layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Explain the function of cerebrospinal fluid.
- Learn cranial nerves (names and numbers provided), and their functions.
- Differentiate between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and between autonomic and somatic reflexes.
- Describe the components of a reflex arc and explain its role.
- Describe the stretch reflex, withdrawal reflex, palpebral reflex, and pupillary light reflex.
CNS - Central Nervous System
- Composed of the brain and spinal cord.
- A diagram of a canine brain and spinal cord is included.
CNS - Composition
- Contains glial cells, neuron cell bodies, myelinated nerve fibers (axons), and non-myelinated nerve fibers.
- Gray matter in the spinal cord contains neuron cell bodies, and non-myelinated nerve fibers, which are darker brownish-grey.
- White matter contains myelinated axons, which is lighter in color.
- A diagram of a cross-section of a sheep brain and spinal cord is included.
- A diagram of the gross anatomy of various species' brains is included.
Main Sections of the Brain
- Cerebrum: diencephalon (thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary), brainstem (midbrain, pons, medulla), cerebellum.
Brain Parts and Functions
- Cerebrum: intelligence, learning.
- Cerebellum: coordinates motor control.
- Diencephalon: pathway from cerebrum to primitive brain.
- Brainstem: maintains basic life functions - subconscious.
Parts of the Cerebrum
- Grey matter is on the outside.
- Information about vision, processed caudally; and smell, processed rostrally.
- The cerebrum has four lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.
- Additional information on olfactory and temporal lobes.
- Different parts of the cerebrum are involved in different inputs and outputs (sensory, motor, auditory, visual, and olfactory).
Cerebrum - Structures
- Gyri (singular: gyrus); sulci (singular: sulcus); white matter; longitudinal fissure.
- Left and right hemispheres; corpus callosum.
Seizures
- Spontaneous firing of neurons in the cerebrum.
- Various causes: toxins, drugs, low blood glucose, idiopathic, tumor, inflammation.
Cerebellum
- Gray matter on the outside.
- Works with cerebrum's signals and body's position.
- Sends efferent signals to fine-tune muscle movements (agonist/antagonist muscles).
Diencephalon
- Relays sensory signals to the cerebral cortex.
- Regulates consciousness, sleep, alertness.
- A vital connection between the nervous and endocrine systems (Hypothalamus and Pituitary gland).
Brainstem
- Autonomic cardiac functions.
- Autonomic respiratory functions (coughing, sneezing, hiccups).
- Vasomotor control (blood vessel constriction/dilation).
Meninges
- Three layers of protective membranes: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
- Blood vessels, fluid, fat, and CT between layers.
- Dura mater: tough, fibrous CT; arachnoid is spider-web; pia mater attaches directly to the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
- Circulates through the CNS.
- Cushions and brings nutrients.
- Usually low in protein and cell numbers.
- Surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)
- Functional separation of brain from circulation.
- No holes (fenestrations) in capillaries in the brain.
- Tight junctions between capillary endothelial cells.
- Astrocytes attached to/cover capillaries.
- Only certain molecules/drugs can cross.
Spinal Cord
- Protected by the vertebral canal.
- Between each vertebral pair (e.g., C1 and C2), nerves exit.
- Dorsal horns: neurons that process afferent signals to the brain.
- Ventral horns: neurons that process efferent signals to the body.
- Dorsal and ventral roots - sensory and motor (afferent and efferent) nerves.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- Spinal nerves and cranial nerves.
- A drawing of the ventral aspect of a sheep brain, showing cranial nerves I-XII.
Nervous System Organization
- Central Nervous System (CNS): brain and spinal cord,
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): connects the CNS to the rest of the body - somatic and autonomic nervous systems (controls voluntary and involuntary actions); sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Autonomic Nervous System
- Sympathetic: thoracolumbar system; fast; norepinephrine as the primary neurotransmitter; "fight or flight" response.
- Parasympathetic: cranial-sacral system; slower; acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter; "rest and digest" response.
- Characteristics of sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways are compared including relevant neurotransmitters and receptors (acetylcholine/cholinergic receptors, norepinephrine/adrenergic receptors).
Autonomic vs. Somatic Nervous Systems
- Comparison of autonomic and somatic systems with details of cell bodies, neuron types and pathways; functions of each system, pathways and neurotransmitters involved.
Reflexes
- Somatic reflexes: involve skeletal muscle contraction.
- Autonomic reflexes: regulate smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and endocrine glands.
- Example reflexes are mentioned: the gastrocolic reflex.
Reflex Arc - Stretch Reflex
- Sensory input through dorsal nerve root to the dorsal horn.
- Motor output through the ventral horn.
- Prevents muscle overstretching.
Reflex Arc - Withdrawal Reflex
- Interneuron synapse mediating the response.
Clinically Important Reflexes
- Palpebral reflex (blink response).
- Pupillary light reflex (PLR).
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Description
This quiz provides a comprehensive overview of the Central Nervous System, focusing on its structures and functions, including the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. Test your knowledge on cranial nerves, reflex arcs, and the differences between various nervous system divisions. Engage with diagrams and key concepts to enhance your understanding of this vital bodily system.
