Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between white matter and gray matter in the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

White matter is superficial and contains myelinated and unmyelinated axons, while gray matter surrounds the central canal and contains neuron cell bodies, neuroglia, and unmyelinated axons.

Question 2

A patient suffers a spinal cord injury that damages the ventral roots. Which function is most likely to be impaired?

Accepted Answer

Motor output to skeletal muscles.

Question 3

Which meningeal layer is directly attached to the surface of the spinal cord and brain, and what is its main structural component?

Accepted Answer

Pia mater; meshwork of elastic and collagen fibers

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why the spinal cord is highly organized?

Accepted Answer

It enables prediction of the effects of injuries to specific areas based on the location of sensory and motor nuclei.

Question 5

Which structure connects the third and fourth ventricles of the brain?

Accepted Answer

Cerebral aqueduct

Question 6

A patient is unable to comprehend spoken or written language but can produce sounds. Which brain area is most likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

Wernicke’s area

Question 7

Which of the following is a function of the hypothalamus?

Accepted Answer

Regulating hormone production and maintaining homeostasis

Question 8

Which of the following cranial nerves is classified as a mixed nerve?

Accepted Answer

Trigeminal nerve (V)

Question 9

A person touches a hot stove and immediately withdraws their hand before feeling pain. Which type of neural circuit is primarily responsible for this response?

Accepted Answer

A simple spinal reflex involving sensory and motor neurons

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the function of the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Adjusts postural muscles and fine-tunes conscious and subconscious movements

Question 11

Which of the following statements about the blood-brain barrier is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is formed by tight junctions between endothelial cells of CNS capillaries.

Question 12

Which brain region is primarily responsible for relaying and processing sensory information ascending to the cerebral cortex?

Accepted Answer

Thalamus

Question 13

A patient with damage to the prefrontal cortex would most likely have difficulty with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Predicting consequences of possible responses

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the organization of the gray matter in the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

It is organized into nuclei, with sensory nuclei located dorsally and motor nuclei located ventrally.

Question 15

Which of the following is a function of the limbic system?

Accepted Answer

Establishing emotional states and facilitating memory storage and retrieval

Question 16

Which of the following is true regarding the production and function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

Accepted Answer

CSF is produced by the choroid plexus and functions to cushion the brain, provide nutrients, and remove waste.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the function of the medulla oblongata?

Accepted Answer

It relays sensory information to the thalamus and regulates autonomic centers for cardiovascular and respiratory function.

Question 18

Which of the following cranial nerves is responsible for carrying special sensory information related to hearing and balance?

Accepted Answer

Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)

Question 19

A lesion in the dorsal root ganglion would most likely result in which of the following symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Loss of sensory perception from the affected region

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of the cerebral cortex?

Accepted Answer

It processes somatic sensory and motor information and is involved in conscious thought and intellectual functions.

Ch 13 &14: The Spinal Cord and Brain (Chapters 13 & 14) – Structure and Function

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