Central Nervous System (Chapter 12)

The primary somatosensory cortex is located in the ________.

parietal lobe

Commissural fibers connect the cerebrum to the diencephalon.

True or False False

Ridges of tissue on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres are called ________.

gyri

An elevated ridge of the cortex is called a ________.

gyrus

Which structure is this?

infundibulum

Which of the following is NOT a function of the CSF?

initiation of some nerve impulses

Which structure is highlighted?

lumbar enlargement

Vital centers for the control of heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure are located in the ________.

medulla oblongata

Which structure is highlighted?

medulla oblongata

Which structure is highlighted?

olfactory tract

Which structure is highlighted?

posterior funiculus

Which structure is highlighted?

Brain Stem

The hypothalamus is the area where afferent impulses from all senses and all parts of the body are sorted out and then relayed to the appropriate area of the sensory cortex.

True or False False (Afferent impulses from all senses and all parts of the body converge on the thalamus (not the hypothalamus) and synapse with at least one of its nuclei. The thalamus--which sorts out and "edits" these afferent signals before relaying them to the appropriate cortical areas--is considered to be the gateway to the cerebral cortex.)

Cerebrospinal fluid circulates within the ventricles of the brain and in the subarachnoid space.

True or False True

The subarachnoid space lies between what two layers of meninges?

arachnoid and pia

Which protective covering of the brain provides passageways for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to drain into the superior sagittal sinus?

arachnoid mater The subarachnoid space is filled with CSF. Knoblike projections of the arachnoid mater, called arachnoid granulations (villi), protrude superiorly through the dura mater and into the superior sagittal sinus. These villi provide a passageway for CSF to leave the subarachnoid space and enter the venous blood of the sinus.

The arbor vitae refers to ________.

cerebellar white matter

Which part of the brain processes inputs received from the cerebral motor cortex, brain stem nuclei, and various sensory receptors, and then uses this information to coordinate balance, posture, and somatic movement problems?

cerebellum By processing and interpreting impulses from the motor cortex and brain stem nuclei, as well as sensory pathways, the cerebellum provides the precise timing and appropriate patterns of skeletal muscle contraction for the smooth, coordinated movements and agility needed for daily living (e.g., driving, typing, and tying our shoes). It also plays a poorly understood role in cognition. Cerebellar activity occurs subconsciously (we are not aware of it).

The most superior portion of the brain is the __________.

cerebral hemispheres

What CNS-associated structure is illustrated in this figure?

choroid plexus Note the specific arrangement of glial cells and capillaries as well as the movements of the fluid.

The large commissure that connects the right and left sides of the brain is called the ________.

corpus callosum

The fibers indicated by B are most associated with which structure(s)?

corpus callosum (The corpus callosum is the most prominent example of tracts that connect the left and right cerebral hemispheres.)

Which structure is highlighted?

dorsal root

What type of cells line the ventricles of the brain?

ependymal cells

Which of the meninges is a delicate connective tissue membrane that clings tightly to the brain like cellophane wrap following its every convolution?

pia mater arachnoid mater meningeal layer of the dura mater periosteal layer of the dura mater pia mater (The pia mater, meaning "gentle mother," is composed of delicate connective tissue and is richly invested with tiny blood vessels. It is the only meninx that clings tightly to the brain, like cellophane wrap, following its every convolution.)

Which structure is highlighted?

pineal gland

Which structure is highlighted?

pons

What cortical region is represented by the area at D?

primary visual cortex (The primary visual cortex receives sensory input from the eye via the optic nerves, thalamus, and optic radiations.)

Which type of white matter fiber tract connects the cerebrum to lower centers, like the spinal cord?

projection fibers (Projection fibers either enter the cerebral cortex from lower brain or cord centers or descend from the cortex to lower areas.)

Which of the following is NOT a function of the hypothalamus?

regulate food intake regulate the thalamus regulate body temperature regulate emotional responses regulate the thalamus

Which functional area of the brain is responsible for keeping the cortex alert and conscious and enhancing its excitability?

reticular activating system (Impulses from all the great ascending sensory tracts synapse within the reticular formation with reticular activating system neurons, keeping them active and enhancing their arousing effect on the cerebrum.)

The brain area that regulates activities that control the state of wakefulness or alertness of the cerebral cortex is the ________.

reticular formation

Injury to the hypothalamus may result in all of the following EXCEPT ________.

sleep disturbances loss of body temperature control loss of fine motor control dehydration loss of fine motor control

Which part of the CNS sorts almost all sensory information ascending to the cerebral cortex?

thalamus Afferent impulses from all senses and all parts of the body converge on the thalamus and synapse with at least one of its nuclei. The thalamus— which sorts out and edits these afferent signals before relaying them to the appropriate cortical areas—is considered the gateway to the cerebral cortex. In summary, the thalamus plays a key role in mediating sensation, motor activities, cortical arousal, learning, and memory.

Cell bodies of sensory neurons are located in ________.

the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord