12. The Central Nervous System

Describe the stages of sleep and outline the order in which we progress through these stages during a typical night's sleep

Explain how the cerebellum is physically connected to the brain stem.

A professor unexpectedly blew a loud horn in his anatomy and physiology class. The students looked up, startled. The reflexive movements of their eyes were mediated by the:

a. Cerebral cortex

b. Inferior olives

c. Raphe nuclei

d. Superior colliculi

e. Nucleus gracilis

Choose the correct term from the key to respond to the statements describing various brain areas.

Key:

a. Cerebellum

b. Corpora quadrigemina

c. Corpus callosum

d. Striatum

e. Hypothalamus

f. Medulla

g. Midbrain

h. Pons

i. Thalamus 

________ (1) basal nuclei involved in fine control of motor activities  

________ (2) region where there is a crossover of fibers of descending pyramidal tracts  

________ (3) control of temperature, autonomic nervous system reflexes, hunger, and water balance 

________ (4) houses the substantia nigra and cerebral aqueduct 

________ (5) relay stations for visual and auditory stimuli input; found in midbrain 

________ (6) houses vital centers for control of the heart, respiration, and blood pressure 

________ (7) brain area through which all the sensory input is relayed to get to the cerebral cortex 

________ (8) brain area most concerned with equilibrium, body posture, and coordination of motor activity

Colleen falls down a flight of stairs and bumps her head several times. Soon after, she develops a headache and blurred vision. Diagnostic tests at the hospital reveal an epidural hematoma in the temporoparietal area. The hematoma is pressing against the brainstem. What other signs and symptoms might she experience as a result of the injury?

Choose the proper term to respond to the statements describing various brain areas.

a. Cerebellum

b. Corpora quadrigemina

c. Corpus callosum

d. Hypothalamus

e. Medulla

f. Midbrain

g. Pons

h. Thalamus

2. Control of temperature, autonomic nervous system reflexes, hunger, and water balance

Choose the proper term to respond to the statements describing various brain areas.

a. Cerebellum

b. Corpora quadrigemina

c. Corpus callosum

d. Hypothalamus

e. Medulla

f. Midbrain

g. Pons

h. Thalamus

6. Brain area through which all the sensory input is relayed to get to the cerebral cortex

The pineal gland is located in the:

a. Hypothalamus

b. Mesencephalon

c. Epithalamus

d. Corpus callosum

Choose the proper term to respond to the statements describing various brain areas.

a. Cerebellum

b. Corpora quadrigemina

c. Corpus callosum

d. Hypothalamus

e. Medulla

f. Midbrain

g. Pons

h. Thalamus

1. Region where there is a gross crossover of fibers of descending pyramidal tracts

Choose the proper term to respond to the statements describing various brain areas.

a. Cerebellum

b. Corpora quadrigemina

c. Corpus callosum

d. Hypothalamus

e. Medulla

f. Midbrain

g. Pons

h. Thalamus

3. Houses the substantia nigra and cerebral aqueduct

Choose the proper term to respond to the statements describing various brain areas.

a. Cerebellum

b. Corpora quadrigemina

c. Corpus callosum

d. Hypothalamus

e. Medulla

f. Midbrain

g. Pons

h. Thalamus

4. Relay stations for visual and auditory stimuli input; found the mid-brain

Other than serving as a conduction pathway, what is a major function of the pons? Why is the medulla oblongata the most vital part of the brain?

Choose the proper term to respond to the statements describing various brain areas.

a. Cerebellum

b. Corpora quadrigemina

c. Corpus callosum

d. Hypothalamus

e. Medulla

f. Midbrain

g. Pons

h. Thalamus

7. Brain area most concerned with equilibrium, body posture, and coordination of motor activity.

What anatomical and functional changes in the brain are linked to alterations that occur with aging?

The pons contains:

(a) Sensory and motor nuclei for six cranial nerves

(b) Nuclei concerned with the control of blood pressure

(c) Tracts that link the cerebellum with the brainstem

(d) No ascending or descending tracts

(e) Both a and b.