The Brain

Question 1

Name the different lobes of the brain

Answer 1

1. Temporal
2. Frontal
3. Parietal
4. Occipital

Question 2

Name the 3 general portions of the brain

Answer 2

1. Cerebrum
2. Cerebellum
3. Medulla

Question 3

What is the cerebrum composed of

Answer 3

2 cerebral hemispheres

Question 4

Name the fissure that travels down the midline of the brain; and what artery is present

Answer 4

Longitudinal fissure; anterior cerebral arteries

Question 5

What are the lumps and grooves of the brain called

Answer 5

Lumps = gyrus
Grooves = sulcus

Question 6

What fissure separates the temporal lobe with the parietal and frontal lobes; and what artery is present

Answer 6

Lateral fissure; middle cerebral artery

Question 7

What is the corpus callosum

Answer 7

White matter tract that connects the cerebral hemispheres

Question 8

What is the main action of the basal ganglia

Answer 8

Regulate initiation and termination of body movements

Question 9

What 3 structures form the diencephalon

Answer 9

1. Thalamus
2. Hypothalamus
3. Pineal gland (epithalamus)

Question 10

Where do fibres come from to pass through the thalamus

Answer 10

Spinal cord, brainstem and midbrain

Question 11

What does the pineal gland produce

Answer 11

Melatonin, which regulates our body clock

Question 12

What is the main action of the hypothalamus

Answer 12

Regulation of the ANS and homeostasis

Question 13

What gland is the hypothalamus in association with

Answer 13

Pituitary gland

Question 14

What structure does the pituitary gland communicate with the rest of the brain with

Answer 14

Pituitary stalk

Question 15

What hormones does the pituitary gland release

Answer 15

1. Growth hormone

2. Follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone

Question 16

Where is the midbrain located

Answer 16

Junction of the middle and posterior cranial fossae

Question 17

What does the midbrain connect

Answer 17

Diencephalon with the pons and medulla

Question 18

Name the small lumps of tissue within the brainstem that are associated with the visual and auditory systems

Answer 18

1. Superior colliculi = visual tracking and scanning

2. Inferior colliculi = auditory startle reflex

Question 19

What does the midbrain connect

Answer 19

Diencephalon with the pons and medulla

Question 20

What cranial nerves originate from the midbrain

Answer 20

1. CN III = occulomotor

2. CN IV = trochlear

Question 21

Name the features of the midbrain that control body movement

Answer 21

1. Substantia nigra = controls subconscious muscle action

2. Red nuclei = co-ordinate muscle movement

Question 22

What cranial nerves originate from the pons

Answer 22

1. CN V = trigeminal
2. CN VI = abducent
3. CN VII = facial
4. CN VIII = vestibular part of the vestibulocochlear (balance)

Question 23

What is the function of the pontine nuclei

Answer 23

1. Coordinates and maximises voluntary motor output

2. Controls our breathing pattern

Question 24

Where is the medulla oblongata located

Answer 24

Posterior cranial fossa; most caudal subdivision of the brainstem that is continuous with the spinal cord

Question 25

What is the function of the medulla's olives

Answer 25

Proprioception; joint and muscle position

Question 26

What cranial nerves originate from the medulla oblongata

Answer 26

1. CN IX = glossopharangeal 2. CN X = vagus 3. CN XI = accessory spinal 4. CN XII = hypoglossal 5. CN VIII = cochlear part of the vestibulocochlear (hearing)

Question 27

Describe the location of the cerebellum

Answer 27

Beneath the tentorium cerebelli in the posterior cranial fossa

Question 28

What is the cerebellum composed of

Answer 28

Two lateral hemispheres (lobes) united by a narrow middle part, the vermis

Question 29

What are the main actions of the cerebellum

Answer 29

1. Controls subconscious aspects of skeletal muscle movements 2. Regulates posture and balance

Question 30

Describe the communication pathways of the cerebella peduncles

Answer 30

1. Superior = midbrain to cerebellum 2. Middle = pons to cerebellum 3. Inferior = medulla to cerebellum

Question 31

Name the primary arteries supplying the brain

Answer 31

1. Internal carotid | 2. Vertebral

Question 32

Where do the internal carotid arteries enter the cranial cavity

Answer 32

Through the carotid canal in the petrous part of the temporal bone

Question 33

Name the terminal branches of the internal carotid arteries

Answer 33

1. Anterior cerebral arteries | 2. Middle cerebral arteries

Question 34

What is formed, and where, when the vertebral arteries unite

Answer 34

At the caudal border of the pons the basilar artery is formed

Question 35

What are the terminal branches of the basilar artery

Answer 35

Posterior cerebral arteries

Question 36

What arteries form the circle of Willis

Answer 36

1. Anterior cerebral 2. Anterior communicating 3. Posterior cerebral 4. Posterior communicating

Question 37

What are the meninges

Answer 37

The three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord; dura, arachnoid, and pia mater

Question 38

What space contains the CSF

Answer 38

Subarachnoid space (between arachnoid and pia mater)

Question 39

Describe the arterial supply to the meninges, and where they originate from

Answer 39

1. Anterior meningeal artery; ethmoid branches 2. Middle meningeal artery; maxillary artery 3. Posterior meningeal artery; occipital artery

Question 40

What is the function of the dural venous blood sinuses

Answer 40

Drain blood from the brain and channel it in into the internal jugular vein

Question 41

Describe the location of the sinuses

Answer 41

1. Between periosteum and dura OR 2. Between two layers of dura

Question 42

Describe the communications of the dural venous sinuses

Answer 42

1. Cavernous venous sinus 2. Pterygoid venous plexus 3. Opthalmic and facial veins

Question 43

What cells produce CSF, and how is it secreted

Answer 43

Ependymal cells produce it; secreted by the choroid plexuses of the ventricles

Question 44

What does CSF provide

Answer 44

Mechanical and physical protection to the brain and spinal cord

Question 45

How does CSF enter the subarachnoid space

Answer 45

Through small apertures in the brain's 4th ventricle

Question 46

How many ventricles does the brain have

Answer 46

4

Question 47

What do the lateral ventricles open into to reach the 3rd ventricle

Answer 47

Interventricular foramen

Question 48

What connects the 3rd and 4th ventricles

Answer 48

Cerebral aqueduct

Question 49

Describe the location of the 3rd ventricle

Answer 49

Between the right and left halves of the diencephalon; inside the thalamus

Question 50

Where is the 4th ventricle located

Answer 50

Posterior part of the pons and medulla

Question 51

What apertures are present in the 4th ventricle

Answer 51

1. Single median aperture | 2. Paired lateral apertures