Nervous System Anatomy Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which term refers to clusters of nerve cell bodies located in the central nervous system?

Fasciculus

Ganglia

Nuclei (correct)

Tracts

What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system?

Facilitate reflex actions

Innervate skeletal muscles

Control voluntary movements

Regulate involuntary bodily functions (correct)

What categorizes the fibers that travel together within the central nervous system?

Neurons

Tracts (correct)

Ganglia

Nuclei

Which of the following cranial nerves is primarily responsible for respiration regulation?

Vagus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes a feature of white matter in the central nervous system?

Contains axons of neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which system is responsible for controlling the skeletal muscles and involves a monosynaptic pathway?

Somatic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic neurons in the autonomic nervous system?

They form a disynaptic pathway Signup and view all the answers

Which structure serves as a 'little foot' where axons condense into a compact bundle within the CNS?

Peduncle Signup and view all the answers

How many pairs of spinal nerves are present in the human body?

31 pairs Signup and view all the answers

Which division of the autonomic nervous system arises from T1 to L2 segments?

Sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuron has one axon and one dendrite, often found in the retina of the eye?

Bipolar Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the myelin sheath?

To insulate axons and increase transmission speed Signup and view all the answers

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the 'rest and digest' response?

Parasympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

Which type of glial cell in the CNS is responsible for forming the myelin sheath around axons?

Oligodendrocytes Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical structures make up the central nervous system?

Brain and spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following neurons conveys impulses from peripheral receptors to the central nervous system?

Sensory neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuroglial cell in the peripheral nervous system provides structural support and nourishment to neurons?

Schwann cells Signup and view all the answers

Which classification of neurons has multiple dendrites and one axon, typically seen in motor neurons?

Multipolar neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which cell type accounts for more than 99% of all neurons in the body, acting as the intermediaries between sensory and motor neurons?

Interneurons Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a neuron is primarily responsible for bringing impulses towards the cell body?

Dendrites Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cells primarily support and protect neurons in the central nervous system?

Oligodendrocytes Signup and view all the answers

What component primarily differentiates the central nervous system from the peripheral nervous system?

Formation of the blood-brain barrier Signup and view all the answers

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the 'fight or flight' response?

Sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the function of Schwann cells?

They regenerate damaged peripheral nerves. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the dorsal roots of spinal nerves?

Transmit sensory signals Signup and view all the answers

In neuron classification, which of the following types is responsible for transmitting signals away from the central nervous system?

Motor neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which structure acts as a major integration center in the central nervous system?

Cerebral cortex Signup and view all the answers

Which neuroglial cell type is primarily involved in maintaining homeostasis in the neural environment?

Astrocytes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of ependymal cells?

Line the ventricles of the brain Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily responsible for the myelination of axons in the peripheral nervous system?

Neurolemmocytes (Schwann cells) Signup and view all the answers

What type of fibers are included in the dorsal (posterior) root of a spinal nerve?

Afferent sensory fibers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the ventral ramus of a spinal nerve?

Supplies the skin and muscles of the limbs and antero-lateral body wall Signup and view all the answers

How do the dorsal and ventral roots contribute to the formation of the spinal nerve?

They unite to form a single spinal nerve that emerges from the spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the white ramus communicans?

Carries preganglionic sympathetic fibers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly describes the gray ramus communicans?

It contains unmyelinated postganglionic sympathetic fibers. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a dermatome?

An area of skin supplied by a segment of spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical structure is responsible for carrying efferent signals from the spinal cord to muscles?

Ventral root Signup and view all the answers

Which plexuses are formed by the ventral rami?

Cervical, brachial, and lumbosacral plexuses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the dorsal ramus?

Supplying the skin and muscles of the back Signup and view all the answers

What type of fibers do the ventral rami form, particularly in thoracic regions?

Segmental intercostal nerves Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Composed of the brain and spinal cord.
Organized into gray matter and white matter.
Gray Matter: Contains cell bodies and dendrites of neurons; specific areas termed nuclei.
White Matter: Contains axons of neurons; organized into tracts (bundles of axons), fasciculus (bundles), and lemniscus (ribbons).
Key white matter terms include:
- Tract: Ascending and descending pathways within the CNS.
- Fasciculus: Bundle of axons; e.g., gracilis and cuneatus in the medulla.
- Lemniscus: A ribbon of fibers; e.g., medial and lateral lemniscus.
- Peduncle: A compact bundle of axons; e.g., middle cerebellar peduncle.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of cranial and spinal nerves.
Cranial Nerves: 12 pairs, including:
- I: Olfactory
- II: Optic
- III: Oculomotor
- IV: Trochlear
- V: Trigeminal
- VI: Abducent
- VII: Facial
- VIII: Vestibulocochlear
- IX: Glossopharyngeal
- X: Vagus
- XI: Spinal accessory
- XII: Hypoglossal
Spinal Nerves: 31 pairs divided into:
- Cervical: 8
- Thoracic: 12
- Lumbar: 5
- Sacral: 5
- Coccygeal: 1

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary body functions: smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, glands.
Divisions:
- Sympathetic Nervous System: Originates from T1–L2 (thoracolumbar outflow); prepares body for fight/flight.
- Parasympathetic Nervous System: Originates from specific cranial nerves and sacral segments (cranio-sacral outflow); supports rest/digest functions.

Somatic vs. Autonomic Nervous Systems

Somatic Nervous System:
- Innervates skeletal muscle.
- Controls voluntary movements.
- Involves a single neuron pathway from spinal cord to muscle.
Autonomic Nervous System:
- Innervates smooth and cardiac muscles, glands.
- Involuntary control over internal environment.
- Involves a two-neuron chain with pre- and post-ganglionic neurons.

Neurons and Glial Cells

Neurons: Excitable cells serving as the functional unit of the nervous system.
- Composed of cell body, axon, and dendrites.
- Dendrites: Short processes that transmit impulses to the cell body.
- Axon: Long efferent process carrying impulses away from the cell body; ends in synaptic junctions.
- Myelin sheath: Fatty layer around axons that protects the axon and speeds up impulse transmission.
Types of Neurons by Polarity:
- Pseudounipolar: One axonal process dividing into two; e.g., dorsal root ganglia.
- Bipolar: One axon, one dendrite; e.g., retina of the eye.
- Multipolar: One axon, multiple dendrites; e.g., motor neurons.

Classification of Neurons

Sensory Neurons: Afferent neurons conveying sensory information from receptors to CNS.
Motor Neurons: Efferent neurons carrying commands from CNS to muscles and glands.
Interneurons: Connect sensory and motor neurons, constituting over 99% of neurons in the body.

Neuroglial Cells

Non-excitable cells that support and insulate neurons.
CNS Neuroglial Cells: Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells, microglia.
PNS Neuroglial Cells: Schwann cells and satellite cells.

Spinal Nerve Formation

Arises from spinal cord as rootlets; dorsal root contains sensory fibers from the posterior root ganglion, while the ventral root contains motor fibers.
The dorsal and ventral roots unite to form the spinal nerve, which divides into dorsal and ventral rami.
Dorsal Ramus: Supplies back skin and muscles.
Ventral Ramus: Supplies limbs and antero-lateral body wall.
White and gray rami communicantes are involved in the sympathetic system, with white carrying pre-ganglionic fibers and gray carrying post-ganglionic fibers.

Dermatome

Designates the area of skin supplied by a specific spinal cord segment.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the anatomical features of the central and peripheral nervous systems. This quiz covers the distinctions between gray matter and white matter, including the specific areas like nuclei and ganglia. Enhance your understanding of how these structures function within the nervous system.