PSYC 415 -- Review Exercise -- Dr. King

Instructions: Fill in the boxes with your answers from the three online lectures (links at the website). If you can do this without having to refer back to the lectures, then you have learned well. You do not have to turn this in. Use it as you see fit.

  1. The two major structures that make up the diencephalon are the
    and the .
  2. The only unpaired structure in the brain is the
    .
  3. The nerve that forms an X on the ventral surface of the diencephalon and then continues along the ventral surface of the thalamus is the
    .
  4. The three types of nuclei that make up the thalamus are
    , , and .
  5. The lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus is part of what sensory system?

  6. If the right primary visual cortex were destroyed, the patient would be partially blind. In what part of his visual field would he be blind?

  7. The pulvinar nucleus of the thalamus is an example of what type of thalamic nucleus?

  8. The four basic functions of the hypothalamus are:
    ,
    , and
  9. Lesions in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) of a rat will have what effect?

  10. Because the VMH appears to turn off eating when a rat is satiated (has had enough to eat), it is known as what kind of center?

  11. A hormone released from healthy (well fed) fat cells is detected by receptors in the VMH. What is this hormone?

  12. The role of the VMH in human obesity is
    .
  13. Lesions in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) of a rat will have what effect?

  14. Recent experiments have shown that injections of a certain substance into the LH will cause rats to eat ravenously. What is this substance? (Don't abbreviate. Write out the full name.)

  15. There is a general rule of thumb in the lower brainstem and spinal cord that the more dorsal you are, the more likely you are to be dealing with structures that have what kind of function?

  16. The four mounds on the dorsal surface of the mesencephalon are called the (one name for all four)
    .
  17. The superior colliculi of the mesencephalon are part of what sensory system?

  18. Cell bodies in the inferior colliculi project there axons to where?

  19. The large blob of gray matter surrounding the cerebral aqueduct in the mesencephalon is called the
    .
  20. This gray area referred to in question 19 plays a role in regulating what kind of sensations?

  21. Electrically stimulating this large gray area (question 19) has a very similar effect to administering what drug?

  22. What set of structures in the mesencephalon (and lower brainstem) is involved in keeping the cortex aroused during alert wakefulness?

  23. Death and degeneration of cells in what structure in the mesencephalon results in Parkinson's disease?

  24. These cells (question 23) use what substance as their neurotransmitter?

  25. What major motor pathway is found descending through the mesencephalon in the cerebral peduncles? (Two names for it.)
    or
  26. Where does this motor pathway (question 25) originate, i.e., have its cell bodies?

  27. The pons and cerebellum make up which of the major divisions ("encephalons") of the brain?

  28. The two large "elephant ears" on the lateral surface of the pons are fiber pathways connecting the pons to what structure?

  29. Damage or disease in what structure often results in the person having a sort of drunken appearance (staggers, loses coordination, slurs his speech, etc.)?

  30. The condition described in question 29 is called
    .
  31. What major descending motor pathway undergoes a decussation in the medulla before entering the spinal cord?

  32. Four large sensory nuclei in the dorsal medulla serve which of the sensory systems?

  33. Muscle fasciculations, flaccid paralysis, and reduced or absent tendon reflexes indicate what condition?

  34. The dorsal columns of the spinal cord are carrying fibers (axons) related to what sensory system?

  35. What nucleus of the thalamus relays this sensory information (question 34) into the cerebral cortex?

  36. Dry mouth, pupillary dilation, and increased heart rate and blood pressure indicate what is happening?

  37. Sexual arousal (vaginal lubrication in women or erection in men) is due to activation in what branch of the peripheral nervous system?

  38. How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

  39. Damage to this nerve can result in Bell's Palsy (name not number).

  40. This nerve is involved in movements of the tongue.

  41. Damage to this nerve can result in partial or total blindness.

  42. This nerve is involved in eye movements and pupillary constriction.

  43. Damage to this nerve can result in a very painful condition called tic douloureux.

  44. This nerve is responsible ultimately for sending information up through the lateral lemniscus to the inferior colliculus of the mesencephalon.

  45. When your dentist gives you an injection of novocaine to anesthetize your teeth and gums, she is attempting to anesthetize which nerve?

  46. This is the shortest of the cranial nerves.

  47. This nerve is easily damaged by skull fractures, leaving the victim without a sense of smell.

  48. This nerve sends some of its fibers (axons) to the superior colliculus.

  49. This is the only cranial nerve that has connections outside of the head and neck region.

  50. In the lower third of the spinal column, the spinal nerves form a peculiar structure that looks like a horse's tail. What is this structure called?