Pathophysiology NU545--Unit 2--Study Guide Exam
Questions with Correct Answers 2026
Pineal Gland - CORRECT ANSWER -(epithalamus) has connections and functions closely
associated with those of the limbic system
-Keeps you awake.
-hormones secreted from pineal gland influence reproductive ability
-secretes Melatonin associated with circadian rhythms
Prefrontal Area - CORRECT ANSWER --Controlling thought
-short-term memory -elaboration of thought
-inhibition of limbic (emotional) areas of CNS
Broca Area - CORRECT ANSWER --Controlling motor aspects of speech
-inferior edge of premotor area on the inferior frontal gyrus
-usually on left hemisphere
Wernicke Area - CORRECT ANSWER --Controlling receptive and interpretive aspects of speech
-located on the superior temporal gyrus
-Dysfunction may result in receptive aphasia or dysphasia
Hypothalamus - CORRECT ANSWER --Controlling emotions and behavior
-maintains constant internal environment
-integrative centers control ANS function
-regulates body temp., endocrine functions, and emotional expression
,Cerebellum - CORRECT ANSWER --Maintaining balance and posture, controls conscious and
unconscious muscle synergy
-accomplished through extensive neural connections from the spinal cord and medulla
oblongota through the inferior cerebellar peduncle and with the midbrain and higher structures
through the superior cerebellar peduncle.
Arachnoid Villi - CORRECT ANSWER --protrude form the arachnoid space, through dura mater,
and lie within the blood flow of the venous sinuses
-CSF is reabsorbed by means of a pressure gradient between the arachnoid villi and the cerebral
venous sinuses
-Function as one-way valves directing CSF outflow into the blood and preventing blood flow into
the subarachnoid space
CSF - CORRECT ANSWER --derived from blood and returns to blood after circulating throughout
the CNS
Parkinson's Disease - CORRECT ANSWER --Degenerative disorder of basal ganglia (corpus
striatum, globus Pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra)
-loss of dopaminergic pigmented neurons in the substantia nigra with dopaminergic defeciency
of the putamen
-loss of dopamine also occurs in brainstem, thalamus, and cortex
Parkinson's Disease - CORRECT ANSWER --Results in underactivity of the direct motor pathway
(normally facilitates movement) and overactivity of the indirect motor loop (normally inhibits
movement)
Hunington's Disease - CORRECT ANSWER --known as chorea
-Rare, hereditary-degenerative disorder diffusely involving the basal ganglia (caudate and
putamen nuclei) and the frontal cortex
-Degeneration leaves enlarged lateral ventricles
, CSF - CORRECT ANSWER --clear, colorless fluid similar to blood plasma and interstitial fluid
-protects intracranial structures and spinal cord structures from jolts and blows
-prevents tugging on meninges, nerve roots, and blood vessels
CSF - CORRECT ANSWER --produced in choroid plexus in the lateral 3rd and 4th ventricles
-is reabsorbed into the venous circulation through arachnoid villi, located primarily located
superior to the falx cerebri in the superior sagittal sinus
Gate Control Theory - CORRECT ANSWER --Pain is transmission is modulated by a balance of
impulses transmitted to the spinal cord by large A-Delta an C fibers
-small fiber input inhibits cells in the substantia gelatinosa "opens the pain gate" enhancing pain
perception
-Does not explain phantom limb pain
A-Delta fibers - CORRECT ANSWER --Well localized, sharp pain sensations - are important in
initiating rapid reactions to stimuli (fast pain)
-Nerve action potentials generated by excitation of nociceptors travel down this fiber type to
reach the spinal cord
C-Fibers - CORRECT ANSWER --(Unmyelinated C polymodal nociceptors) responsible for the
transmission of diffuse burning or aching sensations (slow pain)
-Nerve action potentials generated by excitation of nociceptors travel on this fiber type to reach
the spinal cord.
Nocioceptors - CORRECT ANSWER --Primary order neurons, free nerve endings in the afferent
peripheral nervous system that selectively respond to different chemical, mechanical, and
thermal stimuli
-Categorized by the stimulus they respond to and properties of axons associated with them.
Questions with Correct Answers 2026
Pineal Gland - CORRECT ANSWER -(epithalamus) has connections and functions closely
associated with those of the limbic system
-Keeps you awake.
-hormones secreted from pineal gland influence reproductive ability
-secretes Melatonin associated with circadian rhythms
Prefrontal Area - CORRECT ANSWER --Controlling thought
-short-term memory -elaboration of thought
-inhibition of limbic (emotional) areas of CNS
Broca Area - CORRECT ANSWER --Controlling motor aspects of speech
-inferior edge of premotor area on the inferior frontal gyrus
-usually on left hemisphere
Wernicke Area - CORRECT ANSWER --Controlling receptive and interpretive aspects of speech
-located on the superior temporal gyrus
-Dysfunction may result in receptive aphasia or dysphasia
Hypothalamus - CORRECT ANSWER --Controlling emotions and behavior
-maintains constant internal environment
-integrative centers control ANS function
-regulates body temp., endocrine functions, and emotional expression
,Cerebellum - CORRECT ANSWER --Maintaining balance and posture, controls conscious and
unconscious muscle synergy
-accomplished through extensive neural connections from the spinal cord and medulla
oblongota through the inferior cerebellar peduncle and with the midbrain and higher structures
through the superior cerebellar peduncle.
Arachnoid Villi - CORRECT ANSWER --protrude form the arachnoid space, through dura mater,
and lie within the blood flow of the venous sinuses
-CSF is reabsorbed by means of a pressure gradient between the arachnoid villi and the cerebral
venous sinuses
-Function as one-way valves directing CSF outflow into the blood and preventing blood flow into
the subarachnoid space
CSF - CORRECT ANSWER --derived from blood and returns to blood after circulating throughout
the CNS
Parkinson's Disease - CORRECT ANSWER --Degenerative disorder of basal ganglia (corpus
striatum, globus Pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra)
-loss of dopaminergic pigmented neurons in the substantia nigra with dopaminergic defeciency
of the putamen
-loss of dopamine also occurs in brainstem, thalamus, and cortex
Parkinson's Disease - CORRECT ANSWER --Results in underactivity of the direct motor pathway
(normally facilitates movement) and overactivity of the indirect motor loop (normally inhibits
movement)
Hunington's Disease - CORRECT ANSWER --known as chorea
-Rare, hereditary-degenerative disorder diffusely involving the basal ganglia (caudate and
putamen nuclei) and the frontal cortex
-Degeneration leaves enlarged lateral ventricles
, CSF - CORRECT ANSWER --clear, colorless fluid similar to blood plasma and interstitial fluid
-protects intracranial structures and spinal cord structures from jolts and blows
-prevents tugging on meninges, nerve roots, and blood vessels
CSF - CORRECT ANSWER --produced in choroid plexus in the lateral 3rd and 4th ventricles
-is reabsorbed into the venous circulation through arachnoid villi, located primarily located
superior to the falx cerebri in the superior sagittal sinus
Gate Control Theory - CORRECT ANSWER --Pain is transmission is modulated by a balance of
impulses transmitted to the spinal cord by large A-Delta an C fibers
-small fiber input inhibits cells in the substantia gelatinosa "opens the pain gate" enhancing pain
perception
-Does not explain phantom limb pain
A-Delta fibers - CORRECT ANSWER --Well localized, sharp pain sensations - are important in
initiating rapid reactions to stimuli (fast pain)
-Nerve action potentials generated by excitation of nociceptors travel down this fiber type to
reach the spinal cord
C-Fibers - CORRECT ANSWER --(Unmyelinated C polymodal nociceptors) responsible for the
transmission of diffuse burning or aching sensations (slow pain)
-Nerve action potentials generated by excitation of nociceptors travel on this fiber type to reach
the spinal cord.
Nocioceptors - CORRECT ANSWER --Primary order neurons, free nerve endings in the afferent
peripheral nervous system that selectively respond to different chemical, mechanical, and
thermal stimuli
-Categorized by the stimulus they respond to and properties of axons associated with them.
