Question

1 Parkinson's disease occurs because of progressive destruction of dopamine producing cells located in the

a. basal nuclei

b. cerebral cortex

c. substantia nigra

d. none of the above

2 A patient comes into the ER with a traumatic head injury. He presents with a loss of touch sensation of the skin on the right side of the body; which cerebral cortical region and which hemisphere would you suspect has been damaged?

a. primary somatosensory cortex of the left hemisphere

b. primary motor cortex of the left hemisphere

c. deep cerebellar nuclei of the right hemisphere

d. primary somatosensory cortex of the right hemisphere

3 Which is not a true statement regarding the hypothalamus?

a. the hypothalamus is continuous with the spinal cord

b. the hypothalamus is part of the diencephalon

c. the hypothalamus produces hormones

d. the hypothalamus is important for body homeostasis

4 At which structure of the brain do upper motor neurons of the corticospinal tracts decussate/cross over?

a. pons

b. medulla oblongata

c. midbrain

d. thalamus

5 What part of the motor pathway inhibits unwanted muscle movements?

a. occipital lobe

b. cerebellum

c. primary motor cortex

d. globus pallidus

Answer 1

1. c) substantia nigra

Explanation: Parkinsons Disease involves the loss of dopamine (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta.

2. a. primary somatosensory cortex of the left hemisphere

Explanation: Somatosensory cortex of right cerebral hemisphere controls the sensation of left side of the body while left somatosensory cortex controls the right side of the body.

3. a. the hypothalamus is continuous with the spinal cord

Explanation: Medulla is continuous with the spinal cord.

4. b. medulla oblongata

Explanation: In the medulla at pyramid, upper motor neurons decussate.

5. d. globus pellidus

Explanation: The globus pallidus is a structure in the brain involved in the regulation of voluntary movement. It is part of the basal ganglia, which, among many other things, regulate movements that occur on the subconscious level.