,Chapter 1: Overview of the Nervous System
Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following processes information in the brain
a. White matter
b. Gray matter
c. Foramen magnum
d. Cranium
2. Which subsystem is primarily responsible for conducting signals regarding body
sensation and movement
a. Somatic nervous system
b. Parasympathetic nervous system
c. Sympathetic nervous system
d. All of the above
3. Which of the following does the brain stem regulate
a. Autonomic systems
b. Heart rate
c. Respiration
d. All of the above
4. An image of the brain that separates the brain into left and right sections is
a. Coronal slice
b. Transversal Slice
c. Sagittal slice
d. Horizontal slice
5. Which part of the neuron carries an electrical signal towards another structure?
a. Dendrite
b. Soma
c. Axon
d. Terminal end bouton
6. What is the point of communication between neurons
a. Synapse
b. Axon hillock
c. Soma
d. Ion channels
7. Which glial cell responds to fight infection and inflammation?
a. Microglia
b. Ependymal cells
c. Astrocytes
d. Oligodendrocytes
8. Which glial cell makes up the blood-brain barrier?
From Clinical Neuroscience for Communication Disorders: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology, Second Edition By
Margaret Lehman Blake and Jerry K. Hoepner. Copyright by Plural Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
, a. Microglia
b. Ependymal cells
c. Astrocytes
d. Oligodendrocytes
9. Which lobe houses the primary sensory area
a. Frontal
b. Parietal
c. Temporal
d. Occipital
10. Which structure has a connection to nearly all regions of the CNS
a. Basal ganglia
b. Thalamus
c. Hippocampus
d. Brain stem
True/False
1. The nervous system is composed of the central nervous system and the peripheral
nervous system
a. True
2. The peripheral nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord
a. False
3. Motor areas of the CNS tend to be located more anteriorly, while sensory areas of the
CNS are more posterior.
a. True
4. The ventral portion of the head is the top of the head.
a. False
5. Glial cells provide structure and protection for the nervous system.
a. True
Short Answer
1. Describe somatopic organization.
2. Describe why it is important for speech language pathologists and audiologists to
understand nervous system structures and their functions.
Case Studies
Case 16–5: 63-Year-Old Male With Aphasia and Right Hemiparesis
Diagnosis: Left superior branch of middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke
From Clinical Neuroscience for Communication Disorders: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology, Second Edition By
Margaret Lehman Blake and Jerry K. Hoepner. Copyright by Plural Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
, Background: Darius was a 63-year-old male who was employed as a master plumber prior to
this admission. Prior medical history included mild obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia,
and borderline diabetes. Hypertension was treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor. Hypercholesterolemia was treated with a statin drug. Borderline diabetes was managed
through diet. Darius experienced acute onset of right-sided weakness, confusion (disorientation
to person, place, and time), and global aphasia.
1. Given the description above, identify the pertinent information in this case.
2. What do the cognitive and communication characteristics tell you about the possible
location of damage? (Chapters 1 and 14)
3. What medical etiology is your primary concern and why?
Imaging revealed a large ischemic stroke affecting the left superior branch of the MCA. Etiology
was determined to be cardioembolic, secondary to atrial fibrillation. Fibrinolytic therapy [tissue
plasminogen activator (tPA)] to dissolve the blood clot was administered. Darius’ condition
improved over the course of the initial 48 hours of hospitalization. Aphasia began to resolve
toward a mild to moderate nonfluent aphasia. Right hemiparesis persisted with upper extremity
weakness worse than lower extremity weakness. Darius was transferred to inpatient
rehabilitation where he stayed for 2 weeks for physical, occupational, and speech–language
therapy services. At discharge, he could walk independently with a four-point cane for household
ambulation. He was able to dress himself with adaptive equipment from occupational therapy.
Mild, nonfluent aphasia persisted at discharge. Atrial fibrillation was managed with an
anticoagulant and calcium channel blocker post stroke. The arrhythmia resolved.
From Clinical Neuroscience for Communication Disorders: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology, Second Edition By
Margaret Lehman Blake and Jerry K. Hoepner. Copyright by Plural Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following processes information in the brain
a. White matter
b. Gray matter
c. Foramen magnum
d. Cranium
2. Which subsystem is primarily responsible for conducting signals regarding body
sensation and movement
a. Somatic nervous system
b. Parasympathetic nervous system
c. Sympathetic nervous system
d. All of the above
3. Which of the following does the brain stem regulate
a. Autonomic systems
b. Heart rate
c. Respiration
d. All of the above
4. An image of the brain that separates the brain into left and right sections is
a. Coronal slice
b. Transversal Slice
c. Sagittal slice
d. Horizontal slice
5. Which part of the neuron carries an electrical signal towards another structure?
a. Dendrite
b. Soma
c. Axon
d. Terminal end bouton
6. What is the point of communication between neurons
a. Synapse
b. Axon hillock
c. Soma
d. Ion channels
7. Which glial cell responds to fight infection and inflammation?
a. Microglia
b. Ependymal cells
c. Astrocytes
d. Oligodendrocytes
8. Which glial cell makes up the blood-brain barrier?
From Clinical Neuroscience for Communication Disorders: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology, Second Edition By
Margaret Lehman Blake and Jerry K. Hoepner. Copyright by Plural Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
, a. Microglia
b. Ependymal cells
c. Astrocytes
d. Oligodendrocytes
9. Which lobe houses the primary sensory area
a. Frontal
b. Parietal
c. Temporal
d. Occipital
10. Which structure has a connection to nearly all regions of the CNS
a. Basal ganglia
b. Thalamus
c. Hippocampus
d. Brain stem
True/False
1. The nervous system is composed of the central nervous system and the peripheral
nervous system
a. True
2. The peripheral nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord
a. False
3. Motor areas of the CNS tend to be located more anteriorly, while sensory areas of the
CNS are more posterior.
a. True
4. The ventral portion of the head is the top of the head.
a. False
5. Glial cells provide structure and protection for the nervous system.
a. True
Short Answer
1. Describe somatopic organization.
2. Describe why it is important for speech language pathologists and audiologists to
understand nervous system structures and their functions.
Case Studies
Case 16–5: 63-Year-Old Male With Aphasia and Right Hemiparesis
Diagnosis: Left superior branch of middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke
From Clinical Neuroscience for Communication Disorders: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology, Second Edition By
Margaret Lehman Blake and Jerry K. Hoepner. Copyright by Plural Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
, Background: Darius was a 63-year-old male who was employed as a master plumber prior to
this admission. Prior medical history included mild obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia,
and borderline diabetes. Hypertension was treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor. Hypercholesterolemia was treated with a statin drug. Borderline diabetes was managed
through diet. Darius experienced acute onset of right-sided weakness, confusion (disorientation
to person, place, and time), and global aphasia.
1. Given the description above, identify the pertinent information in this case.
2. What do the cognitive and communication characteristics tell you about the possible
location of damage? (Chapters 1 and 14)
3. What medical etiology is your primary concern and why?
Imaging revealed a large ischemic stroke affecting the left superior branch of the MCA. Etiology
was determined to be cardioembolic, secondary to atrial fibrillation. Fibrinolytic therapy [tissue
plasminogen activator (tPA)] to dissolve the blood clot was administered. Darius’ condition
improved over the course of the initial 48 hours of hospitalization. Aphasia began to resolve
toward a mild to moderate nonfluent aphasia. Right hemiparesis persisted with upper extremity
weakness worse than lower extremity weakness. Darius was transferred to inpatient
rehabilitation where he stayed for 2 weeks for physical, occupational, and speech–language
therapy services. At discharge, he could walk independently with a four-point cane for household
ambulation. He was able to dress himself with adaptive equipment from occupational therapy.
Mild, nonfluent aphasia persisted at discharge. Atrial fibrillation was managed with an
anticoagulant and calcium channel blocker post stroke. The arrhythmia resolved.
From Clinical Neuroscience for Communication Disorders: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology, Second Edition By
Margaret Lehman Blake and Jerry K. Hoepner. Copyright by Plural Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
