Deck 15: The Nervous System: Sensory and Motor Tracts of the Spinal Cord

Question 1

The anterior spinocerebellar tract conducts sensations about

A) pain from the upper limbs
B) pain from the lower limbs
C) proprioception from the upper limbs
D) proprioception from the lower limbs

Answer 1

proprioception from the lower limbs

Question 2

The corticospinal tracts that synapse on motor neurons in the anterior horns of the spinal cord are visible as they descend along the ventral surface of the medulla as a pair of thick bands, the ________.

A) olives
B) reticular formation
C) pyramids
D) medial lemniscus
E) peduncles

Answer 2

pyramids

Question 3

In the dorsal columns, axons from the dorsal roots of spinal nerves that enter the spinal cord inferior to T6 ascend within the ________.

A) red nucleus
B) fasciculus cuneatus
C) medial lemniscus
D) gracile fasciculus
E) pyramids

Answer 3

gracile fasciculus

Question 4

The ________ tract carries axons that do not cross over to the opposite side of the spinal cord.

A) posterior spinocerebellar
B) anterior spinocerebellar
C) lateral spinothalamic
D) anterior spinothalamic
E) lateral corticospinal

Question 5

Sensory information in the posterior columns ________.

A) carries sensations of pain, temperature, and "crude" sensations of touch and pressure
B) decussate at the midline of the length of the pyramids
C) is carried by axons of first-order sensory neurons that synapse on second-order neurons in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord
D) is integrated by the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus
E) is defined as a loosely organized network of neurons that extends throughout the brainstem

Question 6

A neuron that ascends the spinal cord or brainstem and whose cell body is located in the posterior horn is called a(n)________.

A) upper motor neuron
B) lower motor neuron
C) first-order neuron
D) second-order neuron
E) third-order neuron

Question 7

The motor pathways of the autonomic nervous system ________.

A) show a neuronal organization like that of the somatic nervous system
B) contain both upper and lower motor neurons
C) include only neurons located in the brain or spinal cord
D) control visceral effectors, such as smooth muscles, cardiac muscle, and glands
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 8

The spinothalamic tract is a(n)________ tract.

A) descending
B) motor
C) ascending
D) efferent
E) transverse

Question 9

A first-order neuron ________.

A) is the first neuron in any descending pathway
B) is a neuron that extends down the spinal cord
C) has its cell body located in the dorsal root ganglion
D) projects the motor homunculus to the parietal lobe of the cerebellum
E) carries information from the thalamus to the appropriate sensory area of the cerebral cortex

Question 10

Which of these movements or muscle groups is not controlled by motor information transmitted by the corticobulbar tracts?

A) cranial, facial, pharyngeal, and laryngeal muscles
B) eye movements
C) muscles of the upper leg
D) some superficial muscles of the back and neck
E) intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles

Question 11

Which of the following tracts carries proprioceptive information concerning the position of muscles, tendons, and joints to the cerebellum?

A) rubrospinal
B) spinocerebellar
C) posterior (dorsal) column
D) spinothalamic
E) vestibulospinal

Question 12

Select the correct association.

A) afferent-motor
B) ascending-sensory
C) efferent-mixed sensations
D) descending-sensory
E) ipsilateral-motor only

Question 13

The ________, also termed the anterolateral system, carries sensations of pain, temperature, and crude sensations of touch and pressure.

A) medial lemniscus
B) spinothalamic tract
C) dorsal column
D) spinocerebellar tract
E) pyramidal tract

Question 14

The posterior spinocerebellar tracts ascend to the cerebellar cortex by way of the ________.

A) posterior gray horns
B) inferior cerebellar peduncle
C) gracile nucleus
D) pyramids
E) superior cerebellar peduncle

Question 15

Neurons whose cell bodies are located in the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus are called ________.

A) pyramidal cells
B) first-order neurons
C) second-order neurons
D) third-order neurons
E) lower motor neurons

Question 16

The ________ tract carries information that controls muscle tone and balance.

A) pyramidal
B) reticulospinal
C) tectospinal
D) vestibulospinal
E) rubrospinal

Question 17

The sensory homunculus is a functional map that shows (the)________.

A) relative size of sensory regions in the body
B) number of muscles under the skin
C) number of sensory receptors representing the regions of the body
D) absolute size of sensory units
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 18

Sensations detected by the receptors of the anterior spinothalamic tracts include ________.

A) proprioception
B) pressure
C) temperature
D) fine touch
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 19

The posterior columns (medial lemniscal pathway)is ________.

A) gray matter in the spinal cord that processes information about proprioception and touch
B) gray matter in the spinal cord that processes information about pain and temperature
C) white matter in the brainstem that conducts information about pressure, vibration and touch
D) white matter in the brainstem that conducts information about pain and temperature

Question 20

What is the final destination for the spinothalamic tracts?

A) cerebellum
B) gray commissure of spinal cord
C) posterior horn of spinal cord
D) primary somatosensory cortex
E) medulla oblongata

Question 21

Axons of the lower motor neurons of the anterior corticospinal tracts innervate ________.

A) skeletal muscles that control skilled movements in the limbs
B) skeletal muscles of the neck and upper limb
C) muscles of the respiratory system
D) muscles of urinary bladder
E) muscles of the lower digestive tract

Question 22

Nuclei of subconscious motor pathways include which of the following?

A) the vestibular nuclei and the superior colliculi
B) the inferior colliculi and the superior colliculi
C) the red nuclei and the reticular formation
D) the redl nuclei and the superior colliculi
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 23

In motor pathways, axons of lower motor neurons exit the ________ and innervate ________.

A) CNS; skeletal muscle
B) PNS; skeletal muscle
C) CNS; sensory receptor
D) PNS; sensory receptor
E) CNS; PNS

Question 24

When a person displays a "startle response," in which reflexive changes in the position of the head, neck, and upper limbs occur in response to bright lights, sudden movements or loud noises, which of the following regions is responsible?

A) vestibular nuclei
B) reticulospinal tracts
C) cerebral nuclei
D) rubrospinal tracts
E) tectospinal tracts

Question 25

Which area of the brain coordinates complex motor patterns?

A) brainstem
B) thalamus
C) pons
D) cerebral cortex
E) cerebellum

Question 26

In a somatic motor pathway, the neuron that has a cell body in a CNS processing center is the ________.

A) lower motor neuron
B) preganglionic neuron
C) upper motor neuron
D) postganglionic neuron
E) first-order neuron

Question 27

An upper motor neuron supplying the lateral rectus muscle of the eye would be part of the ________ tract(s).

A) lateral corticospinal
B) anterior corticospinal
C) cerebellar
D) corticobulbar
E) dorsal column

Question 28

The upper motor neurons of the rubrospinal tracts lie within the ________.

A) vestibular nuclei
B) tectum
C) cerebellar nuclei
D) red nuclei
E) putamen

Question 29

Which nuclei or centers are NOT correctly paired with the tracts to which they provide output?

A) tectum-tectospinal tracts
B) red nuclei-rubrospinal tracts
C) reticular formation-reticulospinal tracts
D) vestibular nuclei-vestibulospinal tracts
E) colliculi-rubrospinal tracts

Question 30

A motor homunculus ________.

A) is the site that determines the intensity of a pain stimulus
B) is the location of referred pain
C) provides an indication of the degree of fine motor control available
D) is proportioned exactly the same as the sensory homunculus
E) is proportional to the actual size of the represented body region

Question 31

The spinal tracts that regulate voluntary motor control of skeletal muscles on the opposite side of the body are the ________.

A) corticospinal tracts
B) rubrospinal tracts
C) reticulospinal tracts
D) vestibulospinal tracts
E) spinothalamic tracts

Question 32

Where would you expect to find CNS damage in a person who displays an inability to maintain posture and balance?

A) vestibulospinal tracts
B) corticospinal tracts
C) corticobulbar tracts
D) rubrospinal tracts
E) reticulospinal tracts

Question 33

Which of the following transmits primary information to subconsciously control the muscle tone and movements of distal portions of the upper limbs?

A) vestibulospinal tract
B) tectospinal tract
C) rubrospinal tract
D) corticospinal tract
E) reticulospinal tract

Question 34

The neuron that relays commands from the CNS nuclei to the effectors is the ________ neuron.

A) second-order
B) lower motor
C) first-order
D) upper motor
E) third-order

Question 35

The complex unconscious motor patterns that control activities such as riding a bicycle are located in the________.

A) mesencephalon
B) cerebellum
C) hypothalamus
D) cerebral nuclei
E) medulla oblongata

Question 36

Which descending tracts synapse on lower motor neurons in the motor nuclei of cranial nerves controlling eye movements, facial muscles, jaw muscles, and some muscles of the neck and pharynx?

A) lateral corticospinal
B) anterior corticospinal
C) corticobulbar
D) spinothalamic
E) posterior column

Question 37

Along the length of the pyramids, about 15 percent of the axons continue along the spinal cord as the ________ tract.

A) corticobulbar
B) lateral corticospinal
C) tectospinal
D) vestibulospinal
E) anterior corticospinal

Question 38

Which of the following controls reflexes in response to visual and auditory stimuli?

A) thalamus
B) mesencephalon
C) spinal cord
D) inferior medulla oblongata
E) both A & B

Question 39

The portion of the brain that controls and coordinates the movements necessary to play a keyboard instrument such as an organ or piano is the ________.

A) corpus callosum
B) thalamus
C) medulla oblongata
D) diencephalon
E) cerebellum

Question 40

The corticospinal tracts can be defined as ________.

A) the control system for involuntary muscles
B) a series of conscious, voluntary motor tracts
C) subconscious motor pathways
D) a series of ascending tracts
E) an indirect motor system

Question 41

Which area of the brain controls reflex motor patterns related to eating, drinking, and sexual activity?

A) mesencephalon
B) hypothalamus
C) pons
D) medulla oblongata
E) basal nuclei

Question 42

The axons of most of the second-order neurons of the anterior spinocerebellar tract cross before entering the tract and then cross again within the cerebellum.

Question 43

The axons of the second-order neurons of the lateral spinothalamic tract cross to the opposite side of the spinal cord and carry sensations of pain and temperature.

Question 44

The anterior spinothalamic tract carries information about proprioception.

Question 45

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions:
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label A.

A) Dorsal root
B) Posterior column
C) Ventral root
D) Dorsal root ganglion
E) Gray commissure

Question 46

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions:
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label D.

A) Anterior spinocerebellar tract
B) Anterior spinothalamic tract
C) Lateral spinothalamic tract
D) Posterior spinocerebellar tract
E) Posterior column

Question 47

The inferior medulla oblongata controls basic respiratory reflexes.

Question 48

Regarding somatic motor control, the pons and superior medulla oblongata ________.

A) control balance reflexes and complex respiratory activity
B) plan and initiate voluntary motor activities
C) control simple cranial and spinal reflexes
D) modify voluntary and reflexive motor patterns at the subconscious level
E) control reflexes in response to visual and auditory stimuli

Question 49

The pons works with the medulla oblongata to control respiratory functions.

Question 50

The anterior spinocerebellar tract carries information about crude sensations of touch and pressure.

Question 51

Axons of upper motor neurons in the reticular formation descend in the reticulospinal tracts, and cross to the opposite side of the mesencephalon in the brainstem.

Question 52

The hypothalamus initiates voluntary motor activity.

Question 53

The basal nuclei modify voluntary and reflexive motor patterns at the subconscious level.

Question 54

All the levels of somatic motor control affect the activity of (the)________.

A) thalamus
B) third-order neurons
C) lower motor neurons
D) medulla oblongata
E) upper motor neurons

Question 55

Ascending sensory information is relayed from one nucleus to another in a series of steps, which permits modulation of the response, but this processing takes time. Why is this delay in response not dangerous to the organism?

Question 56

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions:
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label B.

A) Lateral horn
B) Posterior horn
C) Lumbar enlargement
D) Ventral root
E) Dorsal root ganglion

Question 57

The corticobulbar tracts provide conscious motor control of skeletal muscles.

Question 58

Predict the effects of a superficial injury to the spinocerebellar tracts.

Question 59

Axons from the dorsal roots of spinal nerves that enter the spinal cord at or superior to T6 ascend within the cuneate fasciculus.

Question 60

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions:
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label C.

A) Lateral column
B) Dorsal root ganglion
C) Anterior median sulcus
D) Ventral root
E) Lateral horn

Question 61

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label I.

A) Lateral corticospinal tract
B) Anterior spinocerebellar tract
C) Lateral spinothalamic tract
D) Rubrospinal tract
E) Anterior corticospinal tract

Question 62

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label L.

A) Caudate nucleus
B) Globus pallidus
C) Cerebellar nucleus
D) Red nucleus
E) Vestibular nucleus

Question 63

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label G.

A) Rubrospinal tract
B) Anterior corticospinal tract
C) Tectospinal tract
D) Vestibulospinal tract
E) Reticulospinal tract

Question 64

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions:
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label I.

A) Posterior spinocerebellar tract
B) Gracile fasciculus
C) Tectospinal tract
D) Reticulospinal tract
E) Cuneate fasciculus

Question 65

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label H.

A) Lateral spinothalamic tract
B) Vestibulospinal tract
C) Reticulospinal tract
D) Rubrospinal tract
E) Tectospinal tract

Question 66

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions:
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label E.

A) Gracile fasciculus
B) Lateral spinocerebellar tract
C) Cuneate fasciculus
D) Lateral spinothalamic tract
E) Anterior spinothalamic tract

Question 67

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label B.

A) Medulla oblongata
B) Tectum
C) Pons
D) Red nucleus
E) Vestibular nucleus

Question 68

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label E.

A) Rubrospinal tract
B) Vestibulospinal tract
C) Reticulospinal tract
D) Anterior corticospinal tract
E) Tectospinal tract

Question 69

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions:
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label H.

A) Cuneate fasciculus
B) Posterior spinocerebellar tract
C) Reticulospinal tract
D) Gracile fasciculus
E) Rubrospinal tract

Question 70

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label A.

A) Tectum
B) Reticular formation
C) Red nucleus
D) Globus pallidus
E) Vestibular nucleus

Question 71

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label C.

A) Cerebellar nuclei
B) Reticular formation
C) Tectum
D) Caudate nucleus
E) Putamen

Question 72

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions:
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label G.

A) Tectospinal tract
B) Lateral corticospinal tract
C) Posterior column
D) Lateral spinothalamic tract
E) Posterior spinocerebellar tract

Question 73

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label D.

A) Reticulospinal tract
B) Anterior median sulcus
C) Tectospinal tract
D) Anterior spinothalamic tract
E) Anterior corticospinal tract

Question 74

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label M.

A) Globus pallidus
B) Putamen
C) Red nucleus
D) Thalamus
E) Caudate nucleus

Question 75

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label E.

A) Red nucleus
B) Tectum
C) Basal nuclei
D) Vestibular nucleus
E) Reticular formation

Question 76

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label J.

A) Thalamus
B) Caudate nucleus
C) Pons
D) Globus pallidus
E) Putamen

Question 77

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label H.

A) Thalamus
B) Putamen
C) Inferior colliculus
D) Pons
E) Caudate nucleus

Question 78

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label G.

A) Colliculi
B) Basal nuclei
C) Reticular formation
D) Red nucleus
E) Cerebellar nuclei

Question 79

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions.
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label F.

A) Tectospinal tract
B) Anterior spinothalamic tract
C) Medial reticulospinal tract
D) Vestibulospinal tract
E) Rubrospinal tract

Question 80

Using the figure above, identify the labeled structure(s) in each of the following questions:
Identify the structure(s) indicated by Label F.

A) Anterior corticospinal tract
B) Lateral spinothalamic tract
C) Anterior spinocerebellar tract
D) Lateral corticospinal tract
E) Rubrospinal tract