;) NEUROANATOMY BANK The first 101 questions 2008 ;) By: Melissa Silva

Edited and enriched by Valtyr Aron Thorrason The first 101 questions V.4
*** marked questions have answers which are not edited and/or im not sure about. The more the stars
the less I agree with the answer
General Neuroanatomy

1. List commissural fiber tracts of the telencephalon.

-> !
mn: CHA (computer human anatomy)
!
!
!

Corpus callosum
Hippocampal commissure ( aka comissure fornicis aka lyre of David)
Anterior commissure

2. Name the associate fibre tracts of the telencephalon.

U (you) Are SICk
Uncinate fasiculus
Arcuate fibers
Superior longitudinal fasiculus
Inferior longitudinal fasiculus
Cingulum
3. List the parts of the mesencephalon.
!
Tectum!
!
Tegmentum
!
Basis!
4. List the parts that develop from the metencephalon.
pons
cerebellum
5. List the - and draw pictures for memorization
a) primary brain vesicles
!
prosencephalon
!
mesencephalon
!
rhombencephalon
b) secondary brain vesicles and their cavities
!
telencephalon!
!
lateral ventricles
!
diencephalon!!
!
third ventricle
!

mesencephalon!

cerebral aqueduct of sylvius -> midbrain

!
!

metencephalon!
myelencephalon!

!
!

4th ventricle -> pons and cerebellum

4th ventricle -> medulla oblongata

6. List the structures that form the anterior wall of the 3rd ventricle.
L L A C (f) (what do you LLAC(lack)? do you lack a f*?)
!
Lamina terminalis
!
Lamina rostralis
!
Anterior commissure
!
Columns of the Fornix
7. a)Define the term lamina choroidea
The tela choroidea (which is the lining of the choroid plexus) is made up of two parts.
A connective tissue layer (pia matter) and an ependymal cell layer.
This ependymal cell layer is called lamina choroidea. It is a simple columnar
epithelium and lines the brain ventricle and is in contact with the CSF
b)Where is it located in the brain?
where the choroid plexus is
lateral ventricles : in the medial wall
3rd ventricle : roof
4th ventricle : posterior part of the roof
8. Define the location and Brodmanns number of
!
a)the Brocas speech area
44,45
triangular and opercular parts of inferior frontal gyrus
!

b) primary auditory cortex.

41,42

(remember that they are PRIMARY thats why its 41 and 42 rather than 44,45 which is the brocas area. The second
number in 41 is 1=primary and 42 is the answer to life the universe and everything thats whats primary! :)

in the posterior half- and upper bank of the superior temporal gyrus of the
temporal lobe and in the transverse temporal gyri
(you would have to look into the lateral sulcus to see them properly in a
dissection)
9. Where are the places of bony attachment of the
a) falx cerebri
crista galli of the ethmoid bone
along the edges of the groove for the superior saggital sinus
Internal occipital protuberance

b) tentorium cerebelli
rostrally !
: clinoid processes
rostrolateraly! : petrous portion of the temporal bone
caudolaterally : inner surface of the occipital bone along the groove for transverse sinus
10. Where is the stria terminalis located?
Its a major output flow from the amygdaloid body
runs: on the ventricular surface of the thalamus
from the amygdaloid complex -> Tuberal nuclear region of the hypothalamus
11. ***Where is the stria medullaris located?
it is a fiber bundle containing afferent fibers from the:
septal nuclei
lateral preoptico-hypothalamic region
anterior thalamic nuclei
it goes to the habenula and is a part of the epithalamus
It is a horizontal ridge that is located on the medial side of the thalamus. It is a
bundle of fibers that run along the roof of the third ventricle to the thalamus and
then terminate in the habenula
12. Where is the induceum griceum located?
it is a little bit of the cortex of the gray matter of the brain in the depth of the
longitudinal cerebral fissure
aka supracallosal gyrus so it makes a lot of sense that it is above the corpus
callosum
consists of a thin layer of gray matter in contact with the dorsal surface of the
corpus callosum = it lies above it and lines it from above
lateral to it is the gray matter of the cingulate gyrus
13. What is the origin and termination
a) fornix
O: Hippocampus ! !
I: mammillary body
!
b) stria terminalis
O: Amygdaloid body!!
I: tuberal region of medial hypothalamus

Cerebellum & Cerebral Cortex

14. List the histological layers of the neocortex from the outer surface to the
white matter
1!

Molecular layer (plexiform! !

2!
3!
!

!
!

external granular! !
external pyramidal! !

!
!

E!
E!

G (general)
P (practicioner)

4!
5!

!
!

!
!

internal granular!
!
internal pyramidal! !

I!
I!

G (general)
P (practicioner)

6!

Multiform!

15. ***Name cell types in the cerebellar cortex. (cerebral)

a) excitatory cell types
pyramidal cells
spiny fusiform cells
spiny stellate cells
horizontal cells of cajal
!
b) inhibitory cell types (not sure on this answer as a whole)
non-spiny fusiform cells
non-spiny stellate cells (basket cells, chandelier cells)
or
basket cells
stellate cells
purkinje cells
golgi cells
!
16. List five major cell types of the cerebellar cortex, indicate their excitatory or
inhibitory character and their locations in the cortical layers!
1. Stellate cells!
2.basket cell! !

molecular layer!
molecular layer!

!
!

-!
-!

inhibitory
inhibitory

3. Purkinje cells!

purkinje cell layer!

-!

inhibitory

4. Golgi cell! !
5. Granular cells!

granular layer!
granular layer!

!
!

-!
-!

inhibitory
excitatory

17. Name afferent pathways of the neostriatum. Name also the major
neurotransmitters that are released by them.
!
Fibers from cerebral cortex! -> ! cortico-striatal !
- glutamate
!
fibers coming from sub.negra ->! nigro-striatal !!
- dopamine
18. Name 2 efferent pathways of the neostriatum. Name also the
neurotransmitters that are released by the axon terminals of these pathways.
!
To the globus pallidus !
-> striato-pallidal! projections! -GABA
!
To substantia nigra !!
-> striato-nigral !
projections! -GABA
19. Name the afferent fibre tracts of the cerebellar cortex that arise from the
brainstem and terminate with
a)mossy fibers
ponto - cerebellar
reticulo - cerebellar
vestibulo - cerebellar
mn: the pervert is hiding in the moss
b)climbing fibres
olivo - cerebellar tract
mn: if the pervert comes all you have to do is to climb the olive tree
c) Describe also the method & location of how the mossy & climbing fibres
terminate in the cerebellar cortex.
mossy:
terminate in the stratum granulosum forming a
wide arborization pattern and establishing synaptic contacts with
many dendrites of granule cells
climbing fibers:
terminate in the stratum moleculare forming a
narrow arborization pattern and establishing synaptic contacts usually with
one purkinje cell
20. Name the neural elements that participate in the formation of the cerebellar
glomeruli.
it is where! granule cell dendrites (post-synaptic) and !
!

golgi cell axon terminals (pre- synaptic)

surround the synaptic terminals of

!

mossy fibers (pre synaptic)

21. List the cerebellar efferent pathways.

trough Inferior cerebellar peduncle:
cerebello - vestibular tract -> to the vestibular nucleus
->to the inferior olivary nucleus
cerebello - olivary tract
cerebello - reticular tract ->
mn: v o r
trough middle cerebellar peduncle there are none efferent (only afferent)
trough the superior cerebellar peduncle:
-> red nucleus
cerebello -rubral fibers
dentato
-thalamic
fibers
->
VA and VL of thalamus

fastigio -reticular fibers ->

22. Name the symptoms of cerebellar damage.
!
mn: VANISHED
Vertigo!
!
!
!
Ataxia!!
!
!
!
Nystagmus! !
!
!
Intention tremor!
!
!
Slurred (or Staccato) speech!
Hypotonia! !
!
!
Exagerrated broad based gait!
Dysmetria! !
!
!

dizziness
bad coordination of movement
eyes tremble
tremor
speech disorder
reduced muscle tone
inability to estimate distances

23. Name 3 non-pyramidal types of neurons in the cerebral cortex.

Fusiform cells
Stellate cells
Horizontal cells of cajal
Mn: FSH the queen of the egyptians had her FSH before she was put into the pyramid
as a mummy = non-pyramidal = FSH
24. What are the commissural pathways of the cerebrum?
!
=what are the commissural pathways of the telencephalon
-> !

mn: CHA (computer human anatomy)

!
!
!

Corpus callosum
Hippocampal commissure ( aka comissure fornicis aka lira of David)
Anterior commissure

Neural Elements, Neurotransmitters, Synapses

25. Describe the origin of the neural crest. List the cell types developed from it.
Develops from the neural fold (ectoderm).
located dorsolateral to the neural tube
gives rise to:
Melanocytes
Odontoblasts
Dorsal root ganglia
Enteric neurons and glia
Laryngeal cartilage
Pia / peripheral neurons
All ganglia / Adrenal Madulla / Arachnoid
Schwann cells
Sympathetic neuroblast

26. Describe:
a) the ultrastructural composition of the Nissl-substance
Rough endoplasmic reticulum in granular arrangement.
Consists of endoplasmic reticulum. ribosomes and mRNA
b) the parts where they are present.
!
in the perikaryon (cell body) and proximal dendritic processes
in them protein synthesis happens.
!
In motor neurons have!
: large nissl bodies
!
in sensory neurons have! : small nissl bodies! !
27. ***What is the difference between the axon hillock and initial axon segment?
What are the features in which the membrane covering the initial axon
segment differs from the other parts of the cell membrane? (direct answer from
original melissa notes)
The axon hillock is a conically shaped region from which the axon extends
the axon hillock has parallelly arranged arranged microtubules and has no nissl
substance
initial axon segment is where the first action potential is generated. It has a bundle of
microtubules, Ca channels and no scwhann cells
28. List a) the types of all glial cells in the CNS and the embryonic germ layers
they
!
E!
Ependymal cells! -!
ectoderm
!
M!
Microglial cells!
-!
mesoderm
!
O!
Oligodendrocytes! -!
ectoderm
!
A!
Astrocytes! !
-!
ectoderm

29. List the major functions of the glial cells of the CNS.
Structural Support
Mechanical support
Insulate electrically
Nourish
Keep a constant Electrical environment
Take up neurotransmitters
SMINK (ET) they put smink on E.T
smink = a word for make-up in many languages
30. Make a drawing of a peripheral nerve.

take-home-message: it has a epineurium, perineurium and endoneurium just like the

uterus had epi-peri-endo
31. What is the histological structure and function of a perineurim?
1) Is a specialized connective tissue surrounding a nerve fascicle
2) It serves as metabolically active diffusion barrier that contributes to the formation of
!
a blood-nerve barrier which maintains the ionic isolation of the nere fiber
3) it serves for active transport of substances across it
4) may be one or more cell layers thick depending on the nerve diameter
5) it has a basal lamina on both surfaces
6) consisting of layers of flattened cells and collagenous connective tissue
7) plays a protective role
1: specialized
2: barrier
3: active transport
4: one or more cells
5: basal lamina on both sides
6: layers
7: protect

32. List the layers that separate the lumen of the blood vessels from the nervous
tissue in the CNS. Which layer forms the blood brain barrier?
tight junctions between endothelial cells <------- the main contributor to BBB
basement membrane of endothelial cells
glial limiting membrane (made by the glial processes of the astrocytes)
33. What are the major differences between the fast and slow axonal transport
mechanisms?
Fast

Bidirectional (anterograde and retrograde)

Slow

only anterograde

for macromolecules, cytoplasmic

for molecules which participate in making
organelles and vesicular cargos
the cytoskeleton
50-400 mm/day * (a google-found value) 8 mm/day *(not from department or heins)
proteins used for transport

transported molecules become part of the

microtubules and are transported by them

anterograde: kinesin
retrograde: dynein (I dont wanna go back)

34. Name the macromolecules that play a substantial role in the fast axonal
transport mechanism.
!
Dynein!
retrograde (I dont wanna go back!! I deny it dont make me)
!
kinesin!
anterograde
35. Define the term histodynamic polarity.
Parts of the neurons that are specialized for specific functions, that can be distinguished
from one-another and can have different morphological characteristics to execute their
specialty properly.
List the cell compartments that can be distinguished from each other in the sense
of dynamic polarity.
you can have:
receptive segment (PNS: peripheral part of axon. CNS: somatodendritic part)
transduction segment (where you make the first AP)
conduction segment (where the AP runs)
synaptic segment (where the nerve will terminate)
36. List three types of neurotransmitters.
1. Amino acids
!
-glutamate, aspartate, GABA
2. Biogenic amines
!
-ACh, noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine, serotonin
3. Peptides
!
-Vasopressin,VIP, substance P

37. Define the term ionotropic neurotransmitter. List at least 3 ionotropic

neurotransmitter receptors.
!
a neurotransmitter that will bind to an ionotropic receptor which will in turn cause
the conformational change of an ion channel which will result in opening of the channel
which will then allow a certain ion(s) to pass trough it to the other side of the membrane
ionotropic ACh-r
GABAa-r (note that its GABA-a not b becuase that one is metabotropic)
ionotropic glutamate-r
Gly-r
NMDA-r
non-NMDA-r
38. Define the term metabotropic neurotransmitter. List at least 3 metabotropic
neurotransmitter receptors.
!
a neurotransmitter which will affect a receptor which is not directly linked to an
ion channels but will rather activate g-proteins. These g-proteins will set forth a
metabotropic cascade that will eventually result in ion exchange between the intra- and
extracellular environments
mACh-r
GABAb-r
metabotropic glutamate-r
Dopamine-r
5-HT-r
39. What is the role of synapsin in the process of chemical neurotransmission?
!
Synapsin is a protein that acts as a glue between the synaptic vesicle and
microfilaments. It functions to make the synaptic vesicle stay in the reserve pool of
vesicles instead of being in the ready to be released pool. Thereby it is thought that
synapsin functions as an inhibitory regulator of neurotransmission
!
When the calcium comes in as a result of an action potential depolarization a
calmodulin dependent kinase (CAMK-II) will phosphorylate synapsin I and the myosin
light chain kinase which will result in the vesicle to be released from the anchoring
microfilament. After that there will be a ATP driven movement towards the ready to be
released zone
40. Name 3 macromolecules that are integral parts of the membrane of synaptic
vesicles.
synapto - tagmin
synapto - brevin
syn - taxin
10

41. Make a drawing of synapse and label

relevant structures!
1. axon terminal/presynaptic element
2. postsynaptic element
3. synaptic cleft
4. synaptic vesicles
5. presynaptic membrane specialization
6. postsynaptic membrane specialization

42. Electrical synapse

a) width of synaptic cleft
!
around 20nm (again not a department number)
b) macromolecules interconnecting adjacent nerve cells.
laminin
collagen type 4
glycoproteins
proteoglycans
connexins (which form a connexon = gap junctions)
43. Classify synapses according to their
a) ultrastructural feature
!
symmetric and asymmetric
b) function
!
inhibitory and excitatory
c) pre and postsynaptic elements
!
axo - dendridic
!
axo - axonic
!
axo - somatic
44. *List those macromolecules that have already been identified in the synaptic
cleft of the myoneural junction.
laminin
collagen type 4
glycoproteins
proteoglycans
ACh esterase
entactin
Agrin
sialic acid
merosin-M
11

45. Define the term and physiological role of Ranvier nodes.

!
a short interruption or gap in they myelin sheath of a nerve fiber between two
myelin coverings coming from adjacent, but different, glial cells. At this specific point an
action potential can be generated because here ions can flow across the mambren.
!
The action potential will then make nerves capable of sending signals at much
greater speed and over longer distances
46. **List the major factors that inhibit the regeneration of damaged axons in the
CNS.
if there is no Basement Membrane of myelin sheath left to guide the regenerating
formation of glial scar tissue
presence of myelin associated glycoproteins that inhibit axonal growth
presence of protein (no-go A) that inhibit axonal growth
1: bm 2: scar tissue 3: myelin associated glycoprotins 3: no-goA

47. List the major factors playing role in regeneration of myelinated neuron/cell in
the nervous system.
division of schwann cells -> make a cylinder -> guide new nerve processes
sprouts from severed axons that will grow from the proximal stump
if one encounters a cylinder made by schwann cells it might grow toward the
designated target organ
Integrin proteins are needed to signal about the micro environment
basement membrane of the schwann cells will show the way
axons and their filopodia
48. List the exogenous molecules influencing axonal growth during
neurohistogenesis?
Cell adhesion molecules (NCAM, NGCAM)
Extracellular growth molecules (laminin and fibronectin)
Nerve growth factor (NGF)
diffusible agents (glutamate, GABA)

49.Define the term Wallerian degeneration.

!
The degenerative changes that happens in a distal segment of a peripheral nerve
fiber (axon and myelin) when its continuity with its respective cell body has been
interrupted by a focal lesion

-> 50, 51, 52 and 53 in original were repeated questions from above

12

53. List 3 neurotransmitters that play substantial roles in the endogenous pain
attenuation mechanisms of the CNS.
The endogenous opioids: dont know if they count as neurotransmitter (stupid question)
-endorphins
enkephalins
dynorphins
Neurotransmitter substances:
serotonin
noradrenaline
glutamate
glycine
GABA
54. a) Name at least five neurotransmitter substances

ACh
GABA
Glycine
Noradrenaline
Adrenaline
glutamate

b) Describe the main steps of the mechanism how they are released from the
presynaptic profile!
1) neurotransmitter is stored in synaptic vesicle
2) synaptic vesicle fuse with synaptic membrane
3) neurotransmitter is released into the synaptic cleft via exocytosis

13

Cranial Nerves, Nuclei, Tracts & Spinal Cord

****************************************************************************************************
******* I use arabic numerals for simplicity. You have to use the roman on the exam*****
55. Which cranial nerve does the inferior salivatory nucleus belong to? Define
the location and the function of the inferior salivatory nucleus.
it belongs to the glossopharyngeal nerve (9)
it is located in the lowest part of the pons.
Superio-dorsal to the nucleus ambiguous in the general-vixceral-efferent
column inferior to the superior salivary nucleus (according to Heins)
it gives parasympathetic (visceromotor) preganglionic fibers to the otic ganglion
which will then eventually innervate the parotid gland
!
56. Name the cranial nerves that run on the anterior surface of the flocculus
cerebella.
7 Facial
8 vestibulocochlear
because they exit so close to one another right in front of the flocculus of the cerebellum
57. List the cranial nerves that:
a) somatomotor nuclei of which are located in the ventrolateral somatomotor cell
column
5 trigeminal (masticatory muscles)
(muscles of facial expression)
7 facial
9,10,11 from the nucleus ambiguous
b) that send sensory fibers to the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve.

5 trigeminal

!
!
!
!

!
!
!

7 facial
9 glossopharyngeal
10 vagus

58. List the cranial nerves that have somatomotor nuclei in the dorsomedial
somatomotor cell column.
!
!
3!
-occulomotor
!
!
4!
-trochlear
!
!
6!
-abducent
!
!
12!
-glossopharyngeal
59. a)Which cranial nerves carry sensory information from the taste buds
14

!
!
!

7 Facial!
!
!
9 Glossopharyngeal !
10 Vagus!
!
!

- nerve trough chorda tympani anterior 2/3 of tongue

- from posterior 1/3 of tongue
- from upper esophagus

b) which nuclei receive this information?

cranial nerves-> nucleus of solitary tract -> VPM of thalamus
!
-> cortical taste area in opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus (ipsilateral)
60. Which nuclei perform similar functions as the gracile & cuneate nuclei and the
superficial lamina of the dorsal horn?
!
!

-Principal pontine nucleus of the trigeminal system

-Descending spinal nucleus of the trigeminal system

note: *not the mesencephalic because its different. It has pseudo-unipolar neurons that
will be going to the masticatory muscles for proprioception and then send fibers directly
to the motor nucleus of trigeminal nerve for the chewing reflex. Only the other two
because they will be collecting sensory information from CN: 5,7,9,10 and then send it
onwards just like the gracile and cuneate nuclei are collecting a big part of the somatic
sense
61. What is the location of those cells which ascend from the (stupid question)
!
a) gracile funiculus tract
!
!
in the dorsal root ganglion
b) cuneate funiculus tract
!
!
in the dorsal root ganglion
!
!
!
c) lemniscus trigeminalis
!
!
Principal pontine and descending spinal nuclei of trigeminal nerve
!
d) where do they originate?
!
!
Principal pontine and descending spinal nuclei of trigeminal nerve
62. Define the position of the following in the CNS:
a) red nucleus
!
!
Tegmentum of midbrain next to the substantia nigra
!

b) parabrachial nucleus
Heins: located adjacent to the superior cerebellar peduncle
wiki: At the junction of the midbrain and pons in lateral reticular formation
rostral to the parvocellular reticular nucleus

c) substantia nigra
In the midbrain dorsal to the cerebral peduncles

15

!
!

d) dorsal nucleus of vagus

in the medulla, under the floor of the 4th ventricle, in the vagal trigone
!

63. List the major afferent and efferent connections of the red nucleus.
!

affarent:
dentato-rubral tract (from cerebellum)
cortico-rubral tract (from cerebral cortex)

effarent:
rubrospinal tracts

64. ***** Which nuclei are involved in sound localization?

!
superior olivary complex
has
bipolar
neurons with lateral and medial dendrites. Lateral dendrite receives

auditory input from one ear and the medial dendrites from the other ear

16

65. Make a drawing and label the tracts (pathways) of the lateral funiculus of the
spinal cord!
1. dorsal fasiculus (of lissauer)
2. fasiculus proprius
3. lateral (crossed) corticospinal tract
4. rubrospinal tract
5. posterior spinocerebellar tract
6. anterior spinocerebellar tract
7. spinothalamic tract
8. reticulospinal tract

17

66. Make a drawing and label the tracts (pathways) of the anterior and posterior
funiculi of the spinal cord!
1. fasiculus gracilis
2. fasiculus cuneatus
3. comma tract of Schultz
4. fasiculus proprius
5. anterior (direct = uncrossed) corticospinal tract
6. tecto spinal tract
7. medial longitudinal fasiculus
8. reticulo spinal tract
9. Spino thalamic tract
10.Olivo spinal tract
11.Vestibulo spinal tract

18

67. *List the descending pathways connecting the brainstem and the spinal cord.
!
a) medial descending pathways (for axial and proximal muscles)
vestibulo spinal
spinal
tecto
reticulo
spinal

68.* List the ascending pathways of the spinal cord.

gracile fasiculus
cuneate fasiculus
spino thalamic tract
spino cervico thalamic tract
spino cerebellar pathways: dorsal, ventral, rostral, cuneo-cerebellar tracts
spino reticular tract
spino mesencephalic tract
69. What are the functional elements of the spinal cord?
C1-C3: head and neck
C4: phrenic nerve

C5-T1: brachial plexus, upper limb

T2-L3: Trunk, abdominal organs
L2-S2: lower limb
S2-S4: sacral plexus and parasympathetic
70. *Define the segments of the spinal cord at the level of which
a) the interomedio-lateral nucleus and
!
T1-L2
b) Clarks column are located.
!
T1-L3/L4
71. Define the appearance of the interomedio-lateral nucleus in the spinal cord
and its neural functions.
Thoracolumbar T1-L2: Sends off preganglionic fibers which go to the
sympathetic trunk which will provide sympathetic innervation to viscera
Sacral S2-S3: sends parasympathetic preganglionic neurons which will
innervate viscera of the pelvis (and the descending colon also)

19

Pyramidal Tract

72. What makes up the pyramidal tract?

cortico-spinal (to spinal cord -> onwards)
cortico-bulbar (to brainstem)
73. Define the location of the pyramidal tract in the
a) internal capsule
!
in the knee (genu) of the internal capsule
b) mesencephalon
!
middle part of the base of the mesencephalon (inside the cerebral peduncle)
c) pons
!
in the base of pons
d) medulla oblongata
!
inside the pyramid of medulla oblongata
e) spinal cord
!
lateral and anterior cortico-spinal tracts
74.**** Describe the somatotopy of the pyramidal tract.
!
during the course of the pyramidal tract it will turn two times at a 90 angle
medial-lateral orientation
in the cortex it has a
anterior-posterior orientation
in the internal capsule it will turn 90 and have a
in
the
mesencephalon
it
will
turn
90again
and
have
medial-lateral
orientation again

75. Where are the pyramidal fibers located in the spinal cord?
Crossed fibers: will descend in the dorsal part of the lateral funiculus
!
!
lateral corticospinal tract
!

Uncrossed fibers: will descend in the medial part of the anterior funiculus
!
anterior corticospinal tract

76. *Name the motor nuclei of cranial nerves that receive exclusively contralateral
innervations from the pyramidal tract.
7 - facial nerve motor nucleus:
motor neurons in the motor nucleus of the facial nerve that innervate the
muscles of facial expression on the lower half of the face
20

 Nucleus ambiguus:
that innervate the muscles of the soft palate
9 - hypoglossal nerve motor nucleus:
motor neurons in the motor nucleus of the hypoglossal nerve that innervate the
genioglossus muscle

77. In the pyramidal tract, where do indirect corticospinal fibres end?

!
In Rexed laminae:
5
6
7
!
on interneurons

78. a) Name the structures that border the internal capsule.

medial: caudate nucleus, thalamus
lateral: lentiform nucleus (putamen+globus pallidus)

b) What is the location of the pyramidal tract in the internal capsule?

its located in the knee (genu) of the internal capsule
79. Which cortical areas does the pyramidal tract arise from? Define also the
Brodmann number of these regions.
30% of fibers from primary motor cortex (4)
30% of fibers from premotor area and supplementary motor cortex (6 and 7)
40% of fibers from primary somatosensory cortex (3,1,2)
(according to dr.najeeb)
all coming from the 5th layer of the cerebral cortex

80. *List the symptoms of pyramidal tract disorder.

depend greatly on the extent of the lesion/damage. Can include
muscle weakness
decreased control of active movement (slowness)
spasticity
babinski sign

21

Somatosensory & Viscerosensory

81. a)List the receptors, axons, cell groups, fibre tracts & nuclei that are parts of
the sensory ascending fibre tract system called the spinothalamic tract. List
the components from the receptors to the cerebral cortex.
The whole point of the spinothalamic tract is to transmit information to the thalamus
about pain, temperature, itch and crude touch. The pathway decussates at the level of
the spinal cord rather than in the brainstem like the posterior column medial leminscus
pathway
!
!

1. receptors! !
2. axons!
!

:!
:!

high threshold receptors

C and A fibers

!
!

3. cell groups!
!
!
!

:!
!

interneurons in the spinal dorsal horn and

projecting neurons in the spinal gray matter

!
!

4. fibre tracts!
5. nuclei!
!

:!
:!

spinothalamic tract
VPL (ventro-postro-lateral) nucleus of thalamus

!
!

6. then goes to!

7. and ends up!

:!
:!

thalamocortical tract
postcentral gyrus

82. List the receptors, axons cell groups, fibre tracts & nuclei that are parts of the
sensory dorsal column medial lemniscus ascending fibre tract system. List the
components from the receptors to the cerebral cortex.

!
!

1. receptors !
2. axons!
!

:!
:!

low threshold receptors

A and A

3.cell groups!

:!

spinal DRG (cell bodies of A and A)

!
!

4. fibre tracts!
5. nuclei!
!

:!
:!

Gracile and cuneate fasiculus!

gracile and cuneate nuclei

!
!
!
!
!

6. fibre tracts!
7. nuclei!
!

:!
:!

medial lemniscus!
VPL (ventro-postro-lateral) of thalamus

8. then goes to!

9. and ends up!

:!
:!

thalamo-cortical tract
post-central gyrus

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83. List 5 nuclei, area or fibre tracts in the CNS system that participate in the formation of
the dorsal column medial lemniscus ascending sensory system.
Gracile fasiculus
Cuneate fasiculus
Gracile nucleus
Cuneate nucleus
VPL
somatosensory cortex in cerebral cortex, post-central gyrus, Broadman 3,1,2
84. List 3 major fibre tracts of the anterolateral ascending sensory system.
!
!
!
!
Spino! !
!
thalamic!
!
tract
!
!
!
!
Spino! !
!
mesencephalic!
tract
!
!
!
!
Spino! !
!
reticular!
!
tract
85. Name the ascending sensory pathways of the spinal cord that carry nerve signals
generated by low threshold receptors in the skin, muscles of the upper limb to the
cerebellum.
!
!

!
!

posterior!
anterior!

spino! !
spino! !

cerebellar!
cerebellar !

!
!

tract
tract

86. Name the ascending tracts that conduct sensory impulses from the a) lower and b)
upper limb to the cerebellum
a) Lower limb:!posterior!
!
!
anterior!

spino! !
spino! !

cerebellar!
cerebellar !

!
!

tract
tract

b) upper limb:!!
!
!
!
rostral! !

cuneo! !
spino! !

cerebellar !
cerebellar!

!
!

tract
tract

87. a) Name the specific sensory nuclei of the thalamus that send afferent fibers
to the cerebral cortex

lateral geniculate body

medial geniculate body

ventral postero-lateral nucleus

ventral postero-medial nucleus

b) In which histological layer of the cerebral cortex do these afferent fibers terminate?
!
all terminate in internal granular layer (4)

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88. *List the cranial nerves that have viscerosensory nuclei.

!
10 - Vagus! !
!
from the abdominal and pelvic organs
!
9 - glossopharyngeal! !
carotid body, carotid sinus
!
7 - facial!
!
!
from the glands?

89. Which type of primary afferents conduct volleys to the spinal cord from
a) high threshold mechanoreceptors
!
!
C and A fibers
b) low threshold
!
!
A and A
c) muscle spindles.
!
!
Ia

90. Define the terms:

a) dermatome
!
An area of the skin which is innervated by a spinal nerve coming from one spesific
segment
b) head-zone.
!
An area of the skin which is innervated by spinal nerves coming from certain spinal
segments which are also responsible for the innervation of specific organs.
As a result some sensations in that specific organ might be felt in the skin which is innervated
by the said spinal segment due to the fact that the brain is more used to the sensation of that
specific segment being form the skin or superficial structures than from the viscera.
This is the principal behind the referred pain

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Somatomotor and Visceromotor

91. *What are the somatomotor nuclei columns in the brainstem?

Dorsomedial collumn:
3
4
6
12
ventrolateral collumn:
5
7
9,10,11
92. List the visceromotor (parasympathetic) nuclei of the cranial nerves.
!
3!
occulomotor! !
Edinger-westphal nucleus
!

7!

facial! !

9!

glossopharyngeal! inferior salivatory nucleus

!
!

10!
!

vagus!!
!
!

!
!

superior salivatory nucleus

dorsal motor nucleus of vagus + scattered neurons in

dorsolateral aspect of nucleus ambiguous

93. Which type of motoneurons are located in the spinal cord? Define their
target.
!

a) somatic motorneurons:
-> extrafusal skeletal muscle fibers (regular muscle) : alpha motor neuron
-> intrafusal skeletal muscle fibers (muscle spindle) : gamma motor neuron

b) autonomic pregangionic motorneurons:

->peripheral autonomic ganglia

94. List nuclei involved in the movement of the eye.

occulomotor nucleus
trochlear nucleus
abducens nucleus
superior colliculus
the interstitial nucleus of cajal

25

95. List at least five descending pathways that are involved in the control of
spinal motor functions.
Pyramidal tract
rubro! !
!
vestibulo!
!
hypothalamo!!
tecto! !
!

!
!
!
!

spinal! !
spinal! !
spinal! !
spinal! !

tract
tract
tract
tract

interstitio!
reticulo!
solitaro!
raphe! !
cerulo!!

!
!
!
!
!

spinal! !
spinal! !
spinal! !
spinal! !
spinal! !

tract
tract
tract
tract
tract

!
!
!
!
!

96. Name brainstem nuclei that send descending fibers to the spinal motor
apparatus.
medial and lateral vestibular nuclei
reticular formation
tectum of mesencephalon
red nucleus
nucleus raphe magnus
locus ceruleus
97. *Name 3 nuclei in the diencephalon that participate in the regulation of
somatomotor function.
VA

VL
subthalamic nuclei
metathalamus
98. *Name 3 nuclei (areas) in the telencephalon that participate in the regulation
of somatomotor function.
caudate nucleus
lentiform nucleus (putamen+globus pallidus)
primary motor area of cerebral cortex
99. Define the term motor unit.
!
A motor neuron and its corresponding innervated skeletal muscle fibre

26

100. List 3 muscles on the head whose motor neurons receive exclusively
contralateral innervations from the pyramidal tract.
mentalis
levator labii superioris
genioglossus

101. What are the differences between nuclear and supra-nuclear facial paralysis?
Nuclear: all of the muscles of facial expression are paralyzed on the same
side(ipsilaterally) as the lesion
Supranuclear: paralysis that is due to lesions above the primary motor neurons
voluntary eye closing and wrinkling of forehead still works as the paralysis primarly
effects the lower face where the muscles of facial expression will be paralyzed
controlaterally. Responses may still be intact (patient might not be able to show his
teeth, but might possibly simile in response to a joke)
!

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