Question 1

Which of the following is not associated with the pons?

Accepted Answer

The pons is involved in relaying sensory information from the face and controlling lateral eye movements, but neck movement is primarily associated with the cervical spinal cord and not the pons.

Question 2

Reflexes involved in maintaining homeostasis may involve the ________ nerve.

Accepted Answer

The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating the functions of internal organs such as the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps control the body's rest and digest response.

Question 3

From the list, indicate three types of molecules that are permeable to the blood-brain barrier. (Check all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The blood-brain barrier is selectively permeable, allowing certain substances to pass through while blocking others. Caffeine, glucose, and oxygen are among the molecules that can cross the blood-brain barrier. Caffeine and oxygen can diffuse through due to their small size and lipid solubility, while glucose is transported across via specific glucose transporter proteins. Large proteins and many drugs, however, cannot easily cross the barrier due to their size and lack of specific transport mechanisms.

Question 4

A physician is evaluating the cranial nerve function of a patient. To evaluate oculomotor nerve function, the physician should

Accepted Answer

The oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III) controls most of the eye's movements, including constriction of the pupil and maintaining an open eyelid. Asking the patient to follow the movement of an object with her gaze evaluates the function of this nerve by testing its ability to coordinate eye movements.

Question 5

A physician is evaluating the cranial nerve function of a patient. To evaluate vestibulocochlear nerve function, the physician should

Accepted Answer

The vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII) is responsible for hearing and balance. Testing its function involves assessing the patient's ability to hear, which can be done by whispering words and seeing if the patient can repeat them.

Question 6

A patient exhibits an abnormal gag reflex in that the uvua is pulled to the left. This is a possible indication that one of the ________ nerves is damaged.

Accepted Answer

The glossopharyngeal nerve is responsible for the gag reflex, and damage to it can result in an abnormal gag reflex, such as the uvula pulling to one side.

Question 7

There are no cranial nerves associated with which part of the brain?

Accepted Answer

The cerebellum is not directly associated with any cranial nerves, as cranial nerves primarily originate from the brainstem (medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain) and the thalamus is involved in sensory and motor signal relay.

Question 8

A patient is experiencing a high fever, stiff neck, drowsiness, and intense headaches. A spinal tap showed bacteria and white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This individual most likely has what condition?

Accepted Answer

The presence of bacteria and white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), along with symptoms such as high fever, stiff neck, drowsiness, and intense headaches, are indicative of meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Question 9

Abnormal development in the telencephalon may also affect the development of the lateral ventricles.

Accepted Answer

The telencephalon gives rise to the cerebral cortex and other structures, and its development is closely linked to the formation of the lateral ventricles. Abnormal development in the telencephalon can lead to changes or malformations in the lateral ventricles.

Question 10

Damage to the trigeminal nerve would disrupt the normal blink reflex initiated by touch sensations of the eye.

Accepted Answer

The trigeminal nerve is responsible for transmitting sensory information, including touch sensations from the face to the brain. Damage to this nerve would impair its ability to convey signals triggered by touch sensations on the eye, thus disrupting the normal blink reflex.

Question 11

If abnormal development occurs in the myelencephalon, which of the following structures may be affected?

Accepted Answer

The myelencephalon develops into the medulla oblongata and contributes to the structure of the fourth ventricle, so abnormalities in its development can affect both these areas.

Question 12

Loss of equilibrium and motor coordination would most likely be related to a lesion in which structure?

Accepted Answer

The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, balance, and equilibrium. A lesion in the cerebellum can lead to loss of motor coordination and equilibrium.

Question 13

Injury to the reticular formation can result in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Injury to the reticular formation, a network in the brainstem involved in consciousness and alertness, can lead to irreversible coma due to its critical role in maintaining consciousness.

Question 14

A physician is evaluating the cranial nerve function of a patient. To evaluate trigeminal nerve function, the physician should

Accepted Answer

The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) is responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing. Testing its function often involves assessing facial sensation and the corneal reflex, which is elicited by touching the surface of the eyeball to initiate blinking. Choices A, B, and C assess functions of other cranial nerves: A tests the auditory component of the vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII), B tests the oculomotor (III), trochlear (IV), and abducens (VI) nerves, and C tests the hypoglossal nerve (XII).

Question 15

Degeneration of the neurons in which of the following structures leads to the muscle tremors associated with Parkinson disease?

Accepted Answer

The degeneration of neurons in the substantia nigra, a part of the brain involved in movement control, leads to the muscle tremors associated with Parkinson's disease. This is because the substantia nigra is crucial for producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating movement.

Question 16

The blink reflex is initiated by contact with the cornea. Which cranial nerve could be assessed by initiating the blink reflex?

Accepted Answer

The blink reflex is initiated by stimulation of the cornea, which is sensed by the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V).

Quiz 13: Brain and Cranial Nerves