Chapter 20-1 - AP

Spinal Cord

• Axons from the gray horns of the spinal cord terminate in skeletal muscle.

Coverings of the Brain and Spinal Cord

• The falx callosum is NOT an inward extension of the dura mater.
• Cerebrospinal fluid helps regulate carbon dioxide content and pH of the body, in addition to protection.
• The posterior fissure of the spinal cord is deeper and wider than the anterior fissure.
• The foramen magnum divides the medulla oblongata from the spinal cord.
• The filum terminale is part of the spinal cord.
• The epidural space exists only in the spinal cord area.

Structure of the Cerebellum

• The central section of the cerebellum is called the vermis.
• The dentate nuclei are an important pair of nuclei in the cerebellum.
• The cerebellum's functions can be impaired, leading to difficulties in controlling skeletal muscles and maintaining balance.
• "Arbor Vitae" is NOT part of the diencephalon.

Cerebral Tracts and Cerebral Nuclei

• The corpus callosum is composed of commissural tracts.

Sensory Functions of the Cortex

• Touch, pressure, and proprioception are all somatic senses.

Integrative Functions of the Cortex

• The occipital lobe is not involved in language function.
• The frontal lobe is NOT important in memory function.
• The hypothalamus gives rise to a stalk called the infundibulum, which leads to the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

Introduction to the Nervous System

• The major divisions of the nervous system include the central and peripheral nervous systems.
• Moving up the central nervous system from the spinal cord, both structural and functional complexity increases.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Formation and Circulation

• A lumbar puncture removing 15 mL of cerebrospinal fluid equates to about 10% of the total volume.
• The interventricular foramen (of Monro) drains cerebrospinal fluid into the third ventricle.
• The cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius) drains cerebrospinal fluid into the fourth ventricle.

Spinal Cord Structure

• The spinal cord ends at vertebra L1 in a narrowed area called the conus medullaris.
• The gray commissure, conus medullaris, and cauda equina are all part of the spinal cord.

Midbrain

• The corpora quadrigemina are a landmark of the midbrain.
• All given statements about the midbrain are correct, including that it contains the inferior colliculi (auditory centers) and the superior colliculi (visual centers).

Cerebellum

• All provided statements about the cerebellum are true including its name means "little brain" and it has more neurons than any other part of the nervous system.

Hypothalamus and Pineal Gland

• The pineal gland and hypothalamus can both produce hormones.

Cerebral Cortex

• The insula lobe of the cerebrum cannot be seen in an exterior view.

Somatic Sensory Pathways

• Secondary sensory neurons conduct impulses from the spinal cord or brainstem to the thalamus.

Parkinson's Disease

• In Parkinson's disease, the lack of dopamine results in unrestrained excitatory effects of acetylcholine, leading to overstimulation of postural muscles.

Spinal Cord Functions

• The rubrospinal tract coordinates head and neck movement, while the reticulospinal tract maintains posture.

Thalamus

• The thalamus is likely responsible for impaired arousal and alerting mechanisms.

Limbic System

• Experiencing emotions such as sorrow is a result of the limbic system.

Memory

• Long-term memory is possible because repeated impulse conduction over a given neuronal circuit produces synaptic changes, facilitating impulse transmission at the synapse.

Extrapyramidal Tracts

• The set of coordinated commands controlling programmed muscle activity mediated by extrapyramidal pathways is called the motor program.

Medulla Oblongata

• The medulla oblongata contains vital centers that control heart action, blood vessel diameter, and respiration.

Brain Coverings

• The tentorium cerebella is the extension of the dura mater that separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum.