Nervous System Practice Test PDF

1. Which of the following are the main divisions of the brain? A) Cerebrum, Brainstem, Cerebellum​ B) Cerebrum, Diencephalon, Brainstem, Cerebellum​ C) Cerebellum, Medulla, Cortex​ D) Cerebrum, Thalamus, Spinal Cord Explanation: The brain is divided into four main parts: the cerebrum, diencephalon...

1. Which of the following are the main divisions of the brain? A) Cerebrum, Brainstem, Cerebellum​ B) Cerebrum, Diencephalon, Brainstem, Cerebellum​ C) Cerebellum, Medulla, Cortex​ D) Cerebrum, Thalamus, Spinal Cord Explanation: The brain is divided into four main parts: the cerebrum, diencephalon, brainstem, and cerebellum. These sections have distinct functions in processing information, movement, and coordination. 2. Which of the following is the correct sequence of the meninges from outermost to innermost? A) Dura mater, Arachnoid, Pia mater​ B) Pia mater, Arachnoid, Dura mater​ C) Arachnoid, Dura mater, Pia mater​ D) Arachnoid, Pia mater, Dura mater Explanation: The meninges are protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. The correct order, from outermost to innermost, is the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater. 3. Arachnoid granulations are involved in: A) Protection of the brain​ B) Passage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)​ C) Connecting the two hemispheres of the brain​ D) Storage of nutrients Explanation: Arachnoid granulations are structures that help with the passage of CSF from the brain’s ventricles into the venous system, helping to regulate fluid balance. 4. The largest ventricles in the brain are the: A) Lateral ventricles​ B) Third ventricles​ C) Fourth ventricles​ D) Central canal Explanation: The lateral ventricles are the largest in the brain and are located within each hemisphere of the cerebrum. 5. Which lobe of the brain is responsible for motor functions and speech? A) Frontal lobe​ B) Parietal lobe​ C) Occipital lobe​ D) Temporal lobe Explanation: The frontal lobe is primarily responsible for motor functions (voluntary movement) and speech production, as it contains the motor cortex and Broca’s area. 6. What is the function of the parietal lobe? A) Sensory processing, including touch, temperature, pain​ B) Vision​ C) Speech production​ D) Coordination of voluntary movements Explanation: The parietal lobe processes sensory information and is involved in spatial awareness and the estimation of distances, sizes, and shapes. 7. The temporal lobe is associated with which of the following functions? A) Speech production​ B) Auditory processing and memory​ C) Sensory touch perception​ D) Coordination of movement Explanation: The temporal lobe processes auditory information and plays a role in memory and emotion. It also contains the olfactory area. 8. Which part of the brain is responsible for processing visual information? A) Temporal lobe​ B) Parietal lobe​ C) Occipital lobe​ D) Frontal lobe Explanation: The occipital lobe is primarily responsible for processing visual information, including receiving and interpreting images from the eyes. 9. The basal ganglia are important for: A) Auditory processing​ B) Movement coordination​ C) Sensory input processing​ D) Emotional regulation Explanation: The basal ganglia are involved in coordinating and refining voluntary movement. They help smooth motor activity and prevent unwanted movements. 10. The corpus callosum: A) Connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres​ B) Controls motor functions​ C) Is responsible for processing emotions​ D) Controls autonomic functions like heart rate Explanation: The corpus callosum is a broad band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, allowing communication between them. 11. The thalamus functions to: A) Sort sensory impulses and direct them to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex​ B) Regulate breathing and heart rate​ C) Coordinate voluntary muscle movements​ D) Control emotions Explanation: The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory information, sorting and directing impulses to the appropriate regions of the cerebral cortex for further processing. 12. The hypothalamus is responsible for: A) Managing homeostasis, regulating temperature, and controlling the autonomic nervous system​ B) Processing sensory information​ C) Coordinating balance and muscle tone​ D) Controlling emotions and memory Explanation: The hypothalamus is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in the body, including regulating temperature, hunger, thirst, and the autonomic nervous system. 13. The limbic system plays a role in: A) Sensory processing​ B) Emotions, behavior, and long-term memory​ C) Vision and hearing​ D) Muscle coordination Explanation: The limbic system is involved in processing emotions, behavior, and long-term memory. It links functions of the cerebral cortex and brainstem. 14. Which structures make up the brainstem? A) Midbrain, Pons, Medulla oblongata​ B) Pons, Cerebellum, Cerebrum​ C) Medulla, Thalamus, Hypothalamus​ D) Cortex, Brainstem, Cerebellum Explanation: The brainstem consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. It is responsible for regulating vital functions like heartbeat, breathing, and connecting the brain with the spinal cord. 15. The pons is involved in: A) Regulation of heartbeat​ B) Connecting the cerebellum to the rest of the nervous system​ C) Processing visual information​ D) Speech production Explanation: The pons acts as a bridge between the cerebellum and other parts of the nervous system, and it is involved in some reflexes related to respiration and sleep. 16. Which of the following is a function of the cerebellum? A) Coordinating voluntary muscle movements​ B) Processing sensory input​ C) Regulation of heartbeat and blood pressure​ D) Controlling emotions Explanation: The cerebellum coordinates voluntary muscle movements, helps maintain balance, and ensures muscle tone remains steady during movement. 17. The medulla oblongata controls which of the following? A) Eye movement​ B) Sensory input​ C) Heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure​ D) Muscle movement Explanation: The medulla oblongata is responsible for controlling vital autonomic functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. 18. The ventricles of the brain are filled with: A) Blood​ B) Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)​ C) Air​ D) Nutrients Explanation: The brain's ventricles are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which cushions the brain, removes waste, and helps maintain proper pressure. 19. Which cranial nerve is responsible for smell? A) Olfactory (CN I)​ B) Optic (CN II)​ C) Vagus (CN X)​ D) Trigeminal (CN V) Explanation: The olfactory nerve (CN I) is responsible for the sense of smell. It carries sensory information from the nose to the brain. 20. Which cranial nerve controls vision? A) Olfactory (CN I)​ B) Optic (CN II)​ C) Oculomotor (CN III)​ D) Abducens (CN VI) Explanation: The optic nerve (CN II) is responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain. 21. The oculomotor nerve (CN III) controls: A) Eye movement and pupil constriction​ B) Sensory input from the face​ C) Taste​ D) Swallowing Explanation: The oculomotor nerve controls eye movement and pupil constriction, contributing to eye function and focus. 22. The Trochlear nerve (CN IV) controls: A) The superior oblique muscle of the eye​ B) Sensory input from the face​ C) Swallowing​ D) Taste Explanation: The trochlear nerve (CN IV) controls the superior oblique muscle of the eye, which moves the eye downward and outward. 23. The Trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides sensory functions for: A) Taste and swallowing​ B) Vision​ C) Facial sensations and chewing​ D) Balance Explanation: The trigeminal nerve is responsible for sensation in the face (touch, pain, temperature) and also controls the muscles needed for chewing. 24. The Abducens nerve (CN VI) controls which muscle of the eye? A) Lateral rectus​ B) Medial rectus​ C) Superior oblique​ D) Inferior oblique Explanation: The abducens nerve (CN VI) controls the lateral rectus muscle, which moves the eye laterally (away from the nose). 25. The Facial nerve (CN VII) is responsible for: A) Facial expressions, taste, and salivation​ B) Hearing​ C) Eye movement​ D) Vision Explanation: The facial nerve (CN VII) controls facial expression muscles, provides taste sensation on the anterior part of the tongue, and regulates salivation. 26. The Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) is responsible for: A) Balance and hearing​ B) Facial expressions​ C) Taste and swallowing​ D) Smell Explanation: The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) is responsible for hearing and balance, transmitting sound and positional information to the brain. 27. The Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) is involved in: A) Facial expression and taste​ B) Taste, swallowing, and salivation​ C) Eye movement​ D) Hearing Explanation: The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) is involved in taste sensation from the posterior third of the tongue, swallowing, and controlling salivation. 28. The Vagus nerve (CN X) regulates: A) Eye movement​ B) Hearing​ C) Cardiac, respiratory, and gastrointestinal functions​ D) Sensory input from the skin Explanation: The vagus nerve (CN X) regulates autonomic functions, including heart rate, breathing, and digestion. 29. The Spinal Accessory nerve (CN XI) controls: A) Neck and shoulder muscles​ B) Facial muscles​ C) Eye muscles​ D) Tongue muscles Explanation: The spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) controls the muscles of the neck and shoulders, contributing to head movement and shoulder elevation. 30. The Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) is responsible for: A) Tongue movement​ B) Facial expressions​ C) Eye movement​ D) Swallowing Explanation: The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) controls the movement of the tongue, essential for speech and swallowing. Brain Studies and Disorders 31. Which imaging technique shows the brain "in action" and measures metabolic activity? A) CT scan​ B) MRI​ C) PET scan​ D) EEG Explanation: PET scans show images of the brain in action, measuring brain activity by detecting metabolic changes, such as glucose uptake. 32. Meningitis is characterized by: A) Inflammation of the brain​ B) Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord coverings​ C) Excessive cerebrospinal fluid accumulation​ D) Blocked brain activity Explanation: Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges (brain and spinal cord coverings) caused by bacterial or viral infections. 33. Hydrocephalus refers to: A) Excessive production of CSF​ B) Abnormal accumulation of CSF in the ventricles​ C) Brain tissue degeneration​ D) Inflammation of the brain Explanation: Hydrocephalus occurs when there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, often leading to increased pressure within the brain. 34. Stroke results from: A) Infection of the brain​ B) A blockage or rupture in the blood vessels in the brain​ C) Degeneration of brain cells​ D) Damage to the spinal cord Explanation: Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or ruptures, cutting off blood flow and depriving brain cells of oxygen. 35. Which of the following is a degenerative brain disease? A) Stroke​ B) Alzheimer's disease​ C) Meningitis​ D) Hydrocephalus Explanation: Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that causes memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior. 36. Brain injuries from head trauma may include: A) Concussion​ B) Hematomas (epidural, subdural, and intracerebral)​ C) Damage to brain tissue​ D) All of the above Explanation: Head trauma can lead to several types of injuries, including concussions and various types of hematomas (bleeding in the brain).