MADE RIDICULOUSLY SIMPLE
6TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)STEPHEN
GOLDBERG, M.D.
TEST BANK
) Central vs Peripheral Myelin
Reference: Ch. 1 — General Organization — CNS vs PNS Myelin
Clinical/Applied Stem:
A 29-year-old woman develops intermittent blurry vision and
limb paresthesias. MRI shows multiple demyelinating plaques
within the central nervous system. The neurologist explains that
the damaged cells are the myelin-forming cells of the CNS.
Which cell type is primarily affected?
,Options:
A. Oligodendrocyte
B. Schwann cell
C. Astrocyte
D. Microglial cell
Correct Answer: A. Oligodendrocyte
Rationales:
Correct Answer: Oligodendrocytes form myelin in the CNS,
so lesions confined to the brain and spinal cord point to this cell
type. Demyelinating plaques in the CNS classically implicate
oligodendrocyte injury or dysfunction.
B. Schwann cell: Schwann cells myelinate the PNS, not the
CNS.
C. Astrocyte: Astrocytes provide support and help maintain
the environment, but they do not form myelin.
D. Microglial cell: Microglia are immune/phagocytic cells of
the CNS, not myelin producers.
Teaching Point: CNS myelin comes from oligodendrocytes; PNS
myelin comes from Schwann cells.
Citation: Goldberg, S. (n.d.). Clinical Neuroanatomy Made
Ridiculously Simple (6th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Sensory Neuron Cell Bodies
,Reference: Ch. 1 — General Organization — Dorsal Root
Ganglion
Clinical/Applied Stem:
A patient develops numbness in the foot after compression of a
lumbar spinal nerve. You want to identify the location of the
first-order sensory neuron cell bodies carrying that information.
Where are those cell bodies located?
Options:
A. Dorsal root ganglion
B. Anterior horn
C. Dorsal horn
D. Sympathetic ganglion
Correct Answer: A. Dorsal root ganglion
Rationales:
Correct Answer: Primary sensory neuron cell bodies are
located in the dorsal root ganglia. These neurons carry afferent
input from the periphery into the spinal cord.
B. Anterior horn: This contains lower motor neuron cell
bodies, not sensory cell bodies.
C. Dorsal horn: Sensory synapses occur here, but the first-
order sensory neuron cell bodies are not located here.
D. Sympathetic ganglion: This contains autonomic
postganglionic neuron cell bodies, not primary sensory neurons.
Teaching Point: Primary sensory neuron cell bodies sit in dorsal
root ganglia.
, Citation: Goldberg, S. (n.d.). Clinical Neuroanatomy Made
Ridiculously Simple (6th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Gray Matter Motor Neuron Loss
Reference: Ch. 1 — General Organization — Anterior Horn Cell
Clinical/Applied Stem:
A child develops flaccid weakness, muscle atrophy, and
fasciculations in one limb after a viral illness. Sensation remains
intact.
Which structure is most likely damaged?
Options:
A. Anterior horn cell
B. Corticospinal tract
C. Dorsal column
D. Cerebellar hemisphere
Correct Answer: A. Anterior horn cell
Rationales:
Correct Answer: Anterior horn cells are lower motor
neurons, so their loss causes flaccid weakness, atrophy, and
fasciculations without sensory loss. This is a classic gray matter
motor syndrome.
B. Corticospinal tract: This would produce upper motor
neuron signs such as spasticity and hyperreflexia, not
fasciculations.