Mastering the Spinal Cord and Nervous System Quiz

1. What type of signal travels through the anterior gray horn?

Both motor and sensory

Neither motor nor sensory

Motor

Sensory

The anterior gray horn is responsible for transmitting motor signals, not sensory signals.

Explanation

The anterior gray horn is responsible for transmitting motor signals, not sensory signals.

2. What type of signal passes through the posterior gray horn in the spinal cord?

Sensory

Autonomic

Motor

Mixed

The posterior gray horn in the spinal cord is primarily responsible for transmitting sensory signals.

Explanation

The posterior gray horn in the spinal cord is primarily responsible for transmitting sensory signals.

3. What type of signal passes through the descending spiral tracts?

Sensory

Visual

Auditory

Motor

Descending spiral tracts transmit signals from the brain to the spinal cord, controlling motor functions.

Explanation

Descending spiral tracts transmit signals from the brain to the spinal cord, controlling motor functions.

4. Which major nerves arise from the sacral plexuses?

Femoral nerve

Sciatic nerve

Peroneal nerve

Saphenous nerve

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve arising from the sacral plexus, while the femoral nerve, saphenous nerve, and peroneal nerve arise from the lumbar plexus.

Explanation

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve arising from the sacral plexus, while the femoral nerve, saphenous nerve, and peroneal nerve arise from the lumbar plexus.

5. In the spinal cord, how does the posterior spinal root differ from the anterior spinal root?

Both the posterior and anterior spinal roots carry motor impulses from the spinal cord.

Both the posterior and anterior spinal roots carry sensory impulses to the spinal cord.

The posterior spinal root carries sensory impulses to the spinal cord, while the anterior spinal root carries motor impulses from the spinal cord, making them essential components for sensory and motor function in the spinal cord.

Explanation

The posterior spinal root carries sensory impulses to the spinal cord, while the anterior spinal root carries motor impulses from the spinal cord, making them essential components for sensory and motor function in the spinal cord.

6. What causes the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord?

Lack of physical exercise

Genetic mutation

Aging process

Due to increased neural information coming from and going to the upper extremities

The cervical enlargement of the spinal cord is a result of increased neural information exchange related to the upper extremities that require more nerve activity and control.

Explanation

The cervical enlargement of the spinal cord is a result of increased neural information exchange related to the upper extremities that require more nerve activity and control.

7. Where is the filum terminale found?

Found in the brain connecting the left and right hemispheres.

Found attaching the inferior portion of the spinal cord to the coccyx

Found in the small intestine assisting in nutrient absorption.

Found in the lungs aiding in the process of respiration.

The filum terminale is a slender filament of connective tissue that extends from the conus medullaris of the spinal cord to the coccyx, providing longitudinal support to the spinal cord.

Explanation

The filum terminale is a slender filament of connective tissue that extends from the conus medullaris of the spinal cord to the coccyx, providing longitudinal support to the spinal cord.

8. What is the conus medullaris?

The terminal portion of the solid part of the spinal cord. Found at about the level of L1 or L2

A type of fish found in the Mediterranean Sea.

A Roman empress from ancient times.

A musical instrument commonly used in classical orchestras.

The conus medullaris refers to the terminal part of the spinal cord and has no relation to the incorrect answers provided.

Explanation

The conus medullaris refers to the terminal part of the spinal cord and has no relation to the incorrect answers provided.

9. What is the cauda equina?

A dessert made with chocolate and nuts often served at fancy restaurants.

A structure that is composed of parallel fibers that continue from the conus medullaris into the spinal cord

A type of horse breed known for its agility and speed.

A musical instrument played in South American folk music.

The cauda equina refers to a structure within the spinal cord and is not related to horses, musical instruments, or desserts.

Explanation

The cauda equina refers to a structure within the spinal cord and is not related to horses, musical instruments, or desserts.

10. What is the endoneurium?

A small bone in the wrist

A type of cell found in the heart muscle

The outer protective layer of the skin

The connective tissue sheath that wraps around the individual nerve fiber

The endoneurium is specifically related to nerve fibers and their surrounding tissue.

Explanation

The endoneurium is specifically related to nerve fibers and their surrounding tissue.

11. In the spinal cord, which is deep to the other, the white matter or the gray matter?

Gray matter and white matter are at the same depth.

White matter is deep to the gray matter.

There is no specific order between white matter and gray matter.

Gray matter is deep to the white matter

In the spinal cord, gray matter, which is mainly composed of nerve cell bodies and dendrites, is located deep to the white matter, which mainly consists of nerve fibers (axons). This organization is essential for the transmission of sensory and motor signals within the spinal cord.

Explanation

In the spinal cord, gray matter, which is mainly composed of nerve cell bodies and dendrites, is located deep to the white matter, which mainly consists of nerve fibers (axons). This organization is essential for the transmission of sensory and motor signals within the spinal cord.

12. What fluid fills the subarachnoid space?

Blood

Mucus

Cerebralspinal fluid

Lymph

The subarachnoid space is filled with cerebrospinal fluid which acts as a cushion for the brain and spinal cord, protecting them from trauma.

Explanation

The subarachnoid space is filled with cerebrospinal fluid which acts as a cushion for the brain and spinal cord, protecting them from trauma.

13. What type of signal passes through the ascending spiral tracts?

Auditory

Visual

Motor

Sensory

The ascending spiral tracts are responsible for carrying sensory signals towards the brain for processing.

Explanation

The ascending spiral tracts are responsible for carrying sensory signals towards the brain for processing.

14. What major nerve arises from the cervical plexuses?

Accessory nerve

Phrenic nerve

Vagus nerve

Hypoglossal nerve

The phrenic nerve is the major nerve arising from the cervical plexuses, innervating the diaphragm and playing a crucial role in breathing.

Explanation

The phrenic nerve is the major nerve arising from the cervical plexuses, innervating the diaphragm and playing a crucial role in breathing.

15. Which major nerves arise from the brachial plexus?

Sciatic

Peroneal

Musculocutaneous, axillary, radial, median, ulnar

Phrenic

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originate from the spinal cord in the neck and provide motor and sensory innervation to the upper limbs. The correct major nerves arising from the brachial plexus are musculocutaneous, axillary, radial, median, and ulnar. Sciatic, peroneal, and phrenic nerves do not arise from the brachial plexus.

Explanation

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originate from the spinal cord in the neck and provide motor and sensory innervation to the upper limbs. The correct major nerves arising from the brachial plexus are musculocutaneous, axillary, radial, median, and ulnar. Sciatic, peroneal, and phrenic nerves do not arise from the brachial plexus.

16. What major nerves arise from the lumbar plexuses?

Femoral and orburator nerves

Sciatic and tibial nerves

Radial and axillary nerves

Ulnar and median nerves

The femoral and obturator nerves are the major nerves that arise from the lumbar plexuses, providing innervation to various muscles of the lower extremities. The other options mentioned are not associated with the lumbar plexuses.

Explanation

The femoral and obturator nerves are the major nerves that arise from the lumbar plexuses, providing innervation to various muscles of the lower extremities. The other options mentioned are not associated with the lumbar plexuses.

17. What is the area of gray matter that is found between the lateral halves of the spinal cord?

Gray commissure

Central commissure

Dorsal root ganglion

Spinal ganglia

The central canal is the correct answer as it refers to the area of gray matter found between the lateral halves of the spinal cord, where the gray commissure is the area that connects the two lateral halves. Spinal ganglia and dorsal root ganglion are both related to sensory neurons located outside the spinal cord.

Explanation

The central canal is the correct answer as it refers to the area of gray matter found between the lateral halves of the spinal cord, where the gray commissure is the area that connects the two lateral halves. Spinal ganglia and dorsal root ganglion are both related to sensory neurons located outside the spinal cord.