ADSL Quiz #1 - Review of the Nervous System

Question 1 The post-central gyrus of the cerebral cortex contains motor neurons that initiate movement. Answer Correct Answer: Response Feedback: Question 2 Most peripheral nerves give off articular, muscular and cutaneous branches. Answer Correct Answer: Response Feedback: True False The post-central gyrus is the primary somatosensory cortex. The pre-central gyrus is primary motor cortex, and neurons here can elicit movement.

Most peripheral nerves give off branches to muscle (motor) to joint (articular) to vessels (vasomotor) and to skin (sensory/cutaneous). There are however some specialised nerves that may have only selected branches.

Question 3 In relation to the central nervous system, which one of the following is INCORRECT? Answer Correct Answer: Answer Feedback: B. Flexion movements of the right forearm are controlled by the right cerebral cortex. The answer is correct. Nerve fibres passing between the brain and the periphery cross-over (decussate) within the brainstem or spinal cord (See General Anatomy: Principles & Applications, p 115).

Question 4 Which one of the following statements about the parasympathetic nervous system is INCORRECT? Answer Correct Answer: Answer Feedback: D. The parasympathetic nervous system has its pre-ganglionic cell bodies in the thoraco-lumbar part of the spinal cord. This answer is correct. The sympatheric nervous system has its pre-ganglionic cell bodies in the thoraco-lumbar part of the cord. The parasympathetic nervous system has its pre-ganglionic cell bodies in two places: the brain stem and the sacral cord.

Question 5 Which one of the following statements in relation to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is INCORRECT? Answer Correct Answer: Answer Feedback: CSF circulates in the subdural space. The answer is correct. CSF is formed by the choroid plexus within the ventricle of the brain and flows in the subarachnoid space (not subdural space). CSF returns to the venous system via arachnoid granulations. It may be sampled in certain disease states by lumbar puncture.

Question 6 Each of the 31 spinal segments gives rise to a single pair (left and right) of spinal nerves. Answer Correct Answer: Response Feedback: True There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves and therefore 31 spinal segments. These are not distinguished when looking at the cord but can be imagined when observing where the nerve roots arise.

Question 7 Which of the following statements regarding nerve impulse transmission by axons is INCORRECT? Answer Correct Answer: Answer Feedback: D. Small diameter axons (less than 1 micron) conduct impulses more quickly if they are myelinated. Axon diameter, for myelinated and unmyelinated axons, increases the speed of impulse transmission. Myelination is only effective for increasing conduction velocity for axons larger than 1 micron (approx.).

Question 8 Different terms are used to describe collections of neurons and axons in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) and Central Nervous System (CNS). Which one of the following statements is CORRECT? Answer Correct Answer: Answer Feedback: D. A ganglion is the term for a discrete group of neurons in the PNS. This statement is correct. Glial cells are found in the PNS, a tract is a bundle of axons in the CNS and the CNS comprises the brain and spinal cord, not the peripheral nerves. Ganglia are accumulations of cells bodies associated with the PNS (e.g. the posterior root ganglion).

Question 9 An anterior ramus contains both motor and sensory nerve fibres. Answer Correct Answer: Response Feedback: True

A ramus is a branch from the mixed spinal nerve and therefore contains both motor and senorty information. The posterior ramus supplies the back while the anterior ramus supplies the anterior and lasteral aspects of the trunk and the limbs. You should know the difference between a ramus and a root.

Question 10 Which one of the following statements regarding the posterior (dorsal) root ganglion is CORRECT? Answer Correct Answer: Answer Feedback: B. The posterior root ganglion contains the cell bodies of somatic sensory neurons. This statement is incorrect. The posterior (dorsal) root ganglion is the site of cell bodies of somatic sensory neurons. Cell bodies of sympathetic neurons are in the lateral horn of the thoraco-lumbar spinal cord, pre- and post-ganglionic sympathetic neurons synapse in the ganglionic chain and the fibres transmitted to the posterior root ganglion are only sensory.