QUESTIONS

1. List the functions of the nervous system.
2. The nervous system comprises 2 parts; can you name them?
3. What is the collective name for nerve cells?
4. What is the name of the connective tissue that runs between the neurons?
5. List the components of a nerve cell.
6. Some axons are surrounded by a myelin sheath. What is the function of this?
7. Name the cells which produce myelin.
8. What is meant by the following: unipolar, bipolar and multipolar?
9. Briefly describe the structure and function of a nerve.
10. What is a synapse?
11. What is the name given to a collection of neurons and fibres, forming an independent nerve centre, as is found in the sympathetic nervous system?
12. What name is given to the organ, muscle or gland where the nerve endings terminate?
13. What is the difference between afferent and efferent nerve fibres?
14. What is the difference between a somatic motor nerve and a visceral motor nerve?
15. What is the name of a junction between a nerve fibre and a muscle fibre?
16. Name 2 factors that may cause varying effects on the nervous system.
17. What is a reflex arc? Can you give an example?
18. Explain in 4 steps how a spinal reflex arc works.
19. What is the name of the extra nerve cell that is often present between a sensory and motor neuron?
20. What is the difference between a conditional and an unconditional reflex?
21. Explain how the brain is divided.
22. What is the name of the deep groove that divides the hemispheres of the brain?
23. What are the functions of the following: cerebrum, thalamus and hypothalamus?
24. What are the functions of the midbrain?
25. Which part of the hindbrain contains centres that control the heart and respiration?
26. What is the function of the cerebellum?
27. How many ventricles does the brain possess?
28. What is contained within the ventricles of the brain?
29. In addition to the ventricles of the brain, where else would you find CSF?
30. What is the name of the structures within the ventricles of the brain which secrete CSF?
31. What is the function of CSF?
32. State the site from which a CSF sample for diagnostic purposes would be obtained.
33. What is the collective name of the 3 layers of membrane that cover and protect the brain?
34. Name the 3 meninges and describe the location of each.
35. What is the name of the group of nerves sited at the termination of the spinal cord?
36. The nerve on each side of the spinal cord is split into 2 roots. State the function of each.
37. Why are the spinal nerves at their thickest at the levels of the pectoral and pelvic girdles?
38. What is the exception to the rule that states that the spinal nerves are named according to the vertebra in front of where they leave the CNS?
39. State the nerves which supply the forelimb and hindlimb.
40. What is the collective name of the nerves that end or originate within the brain? How many of them are there?
41. List the cranial nerves.
42. Which of the cranial nerves are purely sensory?
43. Which of the cranial nerves supply motor fibres to the muscles of the eye?
44. Which of the cranial nerves is sensory to the skin of the face and motor to the jaw muscles?
45. Which of the cranial nerves is motor to the muscles of facial expression?
46. Which of the cranial nerves carries sensory fibres from the tongue and motor fibres to the pharynx?
47. What parts of the anatomy are served by the motor fibres of the vagus nerve?
48. Which cranial nerve carries motor fibres to the muscles of the neck?
49. Which cranial nerve carries motor fibres to the tongue?
50. What is the name given to the visceral motor system of the body which supplies motor nerves to the internal organs and blood vessels (not under voluntary control)?
51. The autonomic nervous system is divided into 2 parts. Can you name them?
52. List 6 responses initiated by the sympathetic nervous system which help the body to respond to stressful situations.
53. Where do the sympathetic fibres leave the spinal cord?
54. Where do the parasympathetic fibres leave the CNS?