Neuro II, Divisions of the Nervous System - Chapter Assessment

The membrane closest to the brain is the _______.

• Dura mater

• Pia mater

• Arachnoid meninx

• Denticulate ligament

Answer explanation

The pia mater lies on the brain surface; the arachnoid is the middle and the dura the outer layer.

A cranial dural sinus contains which type of fluid?

• Arterial blood

• Mucus

• Venous blood

• Pure cerebrospinal fluid

Answer explanation

The dural sinus contains venous blood drained from the cranial veins as well as CSF (cerebrospinal fluid).

Most of the cerebrospinal fluid is found in the _____.

• Dural sinuses

• Pia mater

• Subarachnoid space

• Epidural space

The _____ separates the two cerebellar hemispheres.

• Falx cerebelli

• Falx cerebri

• Tentorium cerebelli

• Arachnoid meninx

Answer explanation

The falx cerebelli separates the two cerebellar hemispheres; the falx cerebri separates the two halves of the cerebrum.

To minimize trauma, a spinal tap is properly done at the level of _____.

• L1

• L2

• S1

• L3

Answer explanation

The spinal cord ends around L2, and L3 is past the end of the cord; S1 would be too distant from the meninges in an adult.

_____ is an inflammation of the brain coverings.

• Encephalitis

• Meningitis

• Poliomyelitis

• Cerebral palsy

Answer explanation

The brain coverings are the meninges which can become inflamed; encephalitis always involves the brain substance itself.

The right and left gray matter areas of the spinal cord are connected by the _____.

• White commissure

• Gray commissure

• Central canal

• Lateral funiculus

Answer explanation

The gray commissure is the area in the middle which has association fibers to connect the halves of the spinal cord; white commissures contain myelinated tracts.

The membrane that supplies most of the blood to the brain is the _____.

• Dura mater

• Arachnoid meninx

• Pia mater

• Choroid plexus

Answer explanation

The pia mater covers the brain and is rich in vessels; the dura mater is an outer fibrous layer.

The _____ is the most inferior area of the spinal cord.

• Cervical enlargement

• Conus medullaris

• Lumbar enlargement

• Filum terminale

The funiculi all contain _____.

• Gray synapses

• Sensory fibers

• Motor fibers

• Nerve tracts

Answer explanation

The funiculi are anatomical regions that contain vertical tracts of white, myelinated fibers.