CNIM Practice Exam 1 Questions and Answers with
Verified Solutions Latest 2026 Update
PART 1: NEUROPHYSIOLOGY & ANATOMY (40 Questions)
1. The dorsal columns of the spinal cord transmit which type of sensory
information?
A) Pain and temperature
B) Proprioception, vibration, and fine touch
C) Crude touch and pressure
D) Itch and tickle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The dorsal columns (fasciculus gracilis and cuneatus) transmit
ipsilateral proprioception, vibration, and fine discriminative touch. Pain and
temperature are carried by the spinothalamic tract .
2. The spinothalamic tract decussates at which level?
1
,A) Medulla
B) Pons
C) Spinal cord (anterior white commissure)
D) Midbrain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The spinothalamic tract decussates in the spinal cord at the level of
entry via the anterior white commissure. The dorsal columns decussate at the
medulla .
3. The somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) generated by posterior tibial nerve
stimulation is recorded optimally from which scalp location?
A) Cz
B) C3'/C4'
C) Fz
D) Oz
Correct Answer: A
2
,Rationale: The optimal recording site for posterior tibial nerve SSEPs is at Cz
(vertex), referenced to Fz or linked ears, because the cortical representation of the
lower extremity is near the midline of the sensorimotor cortex .
4. Which of the following tracts carries motor signals for voluntary movement?
A) Spinothalamic tract
B) Dorsal columns
C) Corticospinal tract
D) Spinocerebellar tract
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The corticospinal (pyramidal) tract carries motor signals from the cortex
to the spinal cord. The spinothalamic and dorsal columns are sensory tracts. The
spinocerebellar tract carries proprioceptive information to the cerebellum .
5. The blood supply to the anterior spinal artery originates from which vessels?
3
, A) Vertebral arteries
B) Posterior inferior cerebellar arteries
C) Anterior cerebral arteries
D) Middle cerebral arteries
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The anterior spinal artery originates from the vertebral arteries, which
arise from the subclavian arteries. It supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal
cord .
6. What is the normal latency of the N20 peak in a median nerve SSEP?
A) 8-10 ms
B) 15-20 ms
C) 20-25 ms
D) 35-40 ms
Correct Answer: B
4
Verified Solutions Latest 2026 Update
PART 1: NEUROPHYSIOLOGY & ANATOMY (40 Questions)
1. The dorsal columns of the spinal cord transmit which type of sensory
information?
A) Pain and temperature
B) Proprioception, vibration, and fine touch
C) Crude touch and pressure
D) Itch and tickle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The dorsal columns (fasciculus gracilis and cuneatus) transmit
ipsilateral proprioception, vibration, and fine discriminative touch. Pain and
temperature are carried by the spinothalamic tract .
2. The spinothalamic tract decussates at which level?
1
,A) Medulla
B) Pons
C) Spinal cord (anterior white commissure)
D) Midbrain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The spinothalamic tract decussates in the spinal cord at the level of
entry via the anterior white commissure. The dorsal columns decussate at the
medulla .
3. The somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) generated by posterior tibial nerve
stimulation is recorded optimally from which scalp location?
A) Cz
B) C3'/C4'
C) Fz
D) Oz
Correct Answer: A
2
,Rationale: The optimal recording site for posterior tibial nerve SSEPs is at Cz
(vertex), referenced to Fz or linked ears, because the cortical representation of the
lower extremity is near the midline of the sensorimotor cortex .
4. Which of the following tracts carries motor signals for voluntary movement?
A) Spinothalamic tract
B) Dorsal columns
C) Corticospinal tract
D) Spinocerebellar tract
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The corticospinal (pyramidal) tract carries motor signals from the cortex
to the spinal cord. The spinothalamic and dorsal columns are sensory tracts. The
spinocerebellar tract carries proprioceptive information to the cerebellum .
5. The blood supply to the anterior spinal artery originates from which vessels?
3
, A) Vertebral arteries
B) Posterior inferior cerebellar arteries
C) Anterior cerebral arteries
D) Middle cerebral arteries
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The anterior spinal artery originates from the vertebral arteries, which
arise from the subclavian arteries. It supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal
cord .
6. What is the normal latency of the N20 peak in a median nerve SSEP?
A) 8-10 ms
B) 15-20 ms
C) 20-25 ms
D) 35-40 ms
Correct Answer: B
4
