NERVOUS SYSTEM Session 3

Question 1

What is the CNS responsible for ?

Answer 1

• It receives sensory information and initiates motor control

Question 2

What are both the spinal cord and the brain protected by , and what are the wrapped with ?

Answer 2

• they are both protected by bone ( vertebrae and skull)
• they are both wrapped in membranes known as meninges

Question 3

What its Meningitis ?

Answer 3

• It is the infection of the meninges and it may be caused by bacteria and viruses

Question 4

Where is the cerebrospinal fluid found and what are its functions?

Answer 4

• It is found between the meninges
• it includes functions like,
  ; support, shock absorber , Homeostasis , Nutrition and immune function

Question 5

How many ventricles are there in the brain and where are they located ?

Answer 5

• The lateral ventricles which is located at the top of the brain
• The third ventricle which is located in the centre of the brain
• The fourth ventricle which is located right above the spinal cord

Question 6

What does the white matter consists of ?

Answer 6

• It is made of ascending tracts carrying information to the brain ( sensory afferent ) and descending tracts (motor efferent) taking information from the brain

Question 7

What are function of the spinal cord ?

Answer 7

• It acts as a gateway for pain, touch and heat feeling signals.
• Motor signals from the brain pass down the spinal cord and out to the muscles.
• Acts as the centre for thousands of reflex arcs

Question 8

What is Paraplegia Paralysis ?

Answer 8

• it is when the damage is in the thoracic region of the spinal cord , the lower body and legs are paralyzed

Question 9

What is Quadriplegia Paralysis ?

Answer 9

• It is when the damage is in the neck region , all four limbs are affected

Question 10

What steps are taken to generate a reflex arc ?

Answer 10

• Stimulus causes sensory receptors to generate signals that travel in sensory axons to the spinal cord
• Then the interneurons integrate the incoming data and relay signals to motor neurons
• Lastly the motor axons cause skeletal muscles to contract

Question 11

What are the four main parts that the brain is made up of ?

Answer 11

• Cerebrum ( aka Telencephalon)
• Diencephalon
• cerebellum
• brain stem

Question 12

What are the roles of the Cerebrum ?

Answer 12

• It is the last centre to receive sensory input and carry put integration before commanding voluntary motor responses
• Communicates with and coordinates the activities of other parts of the brain

Question 13

What does the Diencephalon consists of ?

Answer 13

• Thalmus ( Surrounds the ventricle )
• Hypothalamus
• pineal gland

Question 14

What does the Brain Stem consist of ?

Answer 14

• Midbrain
• Pons
• Medulla oblongata

Question 15

What is the cerebral cortex responsible for and what is it made of ?

Answer 15

• It is a thin , highly convoluted outer layer of gray matter that covers the cerebral hemispheres
• It is responsible for sensation , voluntary movement , thought processes and consciousness

Question 16

What is the cerebral hemisphere made of and where are each of them located?

Answer 16

• Frontal lobe : The most anterior
• Parietal lobe : posterior to the frontal lobe
• Occipital lobe : posterior to the parietal lobe
• Temporal lobe : inferior to the frontal and parietal lobes

Question 17

Where is the primary motor area located and what is it responsible for ?

Answer 17

• In the frontal lobe just before the central sulcus
• Voluntary signals to skeletal muscles begin here
• Muscles that control facial movements

Question 18

Where is the primary somatosensory area located and what is it responsible for ?

Answer 18

• In the parietal lobe and behind the central sulcus
• Sensory information from the skin and skeletal muscles arrives here
• Large areas ar dedicated to those body areas with acute sensations

Question 19

What are the 3 different processing centers and what area each of them responsible for?

Answer 19

• Prefontal area : critical thinking
• Wernicke’s area : understanding of both written and spoken words
• Broca’s area ; directs the primary motor area to stimulate muscles for speaking and writing

Question 20

What occurs in the Central White Matter ?

Answer 20

• Myleination occurs and white matter develops as a child grows

Question 21

What helps to join the two cerebral hemispheres ?

Answer 21

• The corpus callosum contains tracts that join the two cerebral hemispheres

Question 22

In the Diencephalon , what are the functions of the Thalamus , Hypothalamus and the pineal gland ?

Answer 22

• Thalamus receives all sensory input except the sense of smell
• Hypothalamus is the integrating centre that helps to regulate hinger , sleep , thirst , body temperature and water balance
• Pineal gland secretes the hormone melatonin which helps regulate daily rhythms

Question 23

What is the cerebellum composed of and what is it responsible for ?

Answer 23

• Primarily composed of white matter in a treelike pattern called arbor vitae
• Maintains postures and balance and provides smooth coordinated voluntary movements