Nervous System Basics
What are the two major divisions of the nervous system?
Central Nervous System & Peripheral Nervous System
Name the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex.
Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital
How many cranial nerves are there?
12
What is the major structure that protects the brain from trauma?
The skull
What motor tract controls voluntary motor movement?
Pyramidal (corticospinal) tract
Which cells conduct electrical signals throughout the nervous system?
Neurons
Which lobe is primarily responsible for voluntary motor planning and expressive language?
Frontal lobe
Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for hearing and balance?
VIII — Vestibulocochlear
What fluid cushions the brain and spinal cord?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
What motor system regulates posture, tone, and automatic movement patterns such as walking?
Extrapyramidal system
Name the neuron part responsible for receiving incoming signals from other neurons.
Dendrites
Which cortical area plays a major role in receptive language (understanding speech)?
Wernicke’s area (superior temporal gyrus)
Which cranial nerve controls tongue movement and articulation?
XII — Hypoglossal
What arterial ring supplies the cerebral hemispheres and helps provide collateral blood flow?
Circle of Willis
Identify the basic sequence of a simple reflex arc.
Sensory receptor → Afferent neuron → Integration → Efferent neuron → Effector
What is the fatty insulating material that increases nerve conduction speed?
Myelin
Which lobe integrates sensory information including touch, temperature, and pain?
Parietal lobe
Which cranial nerve provides major motor control for laryngeal function in speech & swallowing?
X — Vagus
Which meningeal layer directly covers the surface of the brain?
Pia mater
What part of the CNS houses most reflex integration?
Spinal cord
What are the functional terms for neurons carrying information toward the CNS vs away from the CNS?
Afferent = toward CNS; Efferent = away from CNS
Damage to what cortical region can cause expressive aphasia?
Broca’s area (inferior frontal gyrus)
Which cranial nerves are essential for articulation via facial and jaw movement?
V — Trigeminal; VII — Facial
A blockage of a cerebral artery that deprives neurons of oxygen is called what?
Ischemic stroke
Damage to this motor pathway can result in dysarthria and impaired voluntary speech movement.
Corticobulbar pathway