PATHOPHYSIOLOGY CHAPTER 14
STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED
A+
⩥ What does the central nervous system consist of?. Answer: The brain
and spinal cord
⩥ What is the primary function of the brain?. Answer: Communication
and control center of the body; processes inputs and initiates responses.
⩥ What are the three layers of the meninges protecting the brain?.
Answer: Dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater
⩥ What is the role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?. Answer: Provides
cushioning for the brain and spinal cord and helps maintain intracranial
pressure.
⩥ What are the four functional areas of the brain?. Answer: Cerebral
hemispheres, diencephalon, brain stem, and cerebellum
⩥ What separates the two cerebral hemispheres?. Answer: The
longitudinal fissure
,⩥ What is the dominant hemisphere responsible for?. Answer: Language
control, typically the left hemisphere in most people.
⩥ What is the function of the thalamus?. Answer: Acts as a relay station
for incoming sensory impulses.
⩥ What does the hypothalamus regulate?. Answer: Homeostasis,
including body temperature, fluid intake, and sleep cycles.
⩥ What are the three parts of the brain stem?. Answer: Midbrain, pons,
and medulla oblongata
⩥ What is the primary function of the cerebellum?. Answer:
Coordination of movements, maintenance of posture, and equilibrium.
⩥ How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?. Answer: 12 pairs
⩥ What are the two types of fibers found in spinal nerves?. Answer:
Motor (efferent) fibers and sensory (afferent) fibers
⩥ What is a reflex?. Answer: An automatic, rapid, involuntary response
to a stimulus.
, ⩥ What are the two main types of neurons?. Answer: Sensory neurons
and motor neurons
⩥ What is the role of glial cells?. Answer: Supportive cells in the CNS
that assist neurons.
⩥ What happens to a neuron if its cell body is damaged?. Answer: The
neuron dies, but axons in the PNS may regenerate.
⩥ What is saltatory conduction?. Answer: Rapid conduction of impulses
along myelinated fibers.
⩥ What is a synapse?. Answer: The junction between presynaptic axon
terminal and postsynaptic neuron.
⩥ What are neurotransmitters?. Answer: Chemical messengers that
transmit signals across a synapse.
⩥ What is the synaptic cleft?. Answer: The space between the
presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons where neurotransmitters are
released.
⩥ What happens to neurotransmitters after they are released into the
synaptic cleft?. Answer: They are inactivated by enzymes or reuptake
into the presynaptic axon.
STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED
A+
⩥ What does the central nervous system consist of?. Answer: The brain
and spinal cord
⩥ What is the primary function of the brain?. Answer: Communication
and control center of the body; processes inputs and initiates responses.
⩥ What are the three layers of the meninges protecting the brain?.
Answer: Dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater
⩥ What is the role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?. Answer: Provides
cushioning for the brain and spinal cord and helps maintain intracranial
pressure.
⩥ What are the four functional areas of the brain?. Answer: Cerebral
hemispheres, diencephalon, brain stem, and cerebellum
⩥ What separates the two cerebral hemispheres?. Answer: The
longitudinal fissure
,⩥ What is the dominant hemisphere responsible for?. Answer: Language
control, typically the left hemisphere in most people.
⩥ What is the function of the thalamus?. Answer: Acts as a relay station
for incoming sensory impulses.
⩥ What does the hypothalamus regulate?. Answer: Homeostasis,
including body temperature, fluid intake, and sleep cycles.
⩥ What are the three parts of the brain stem?. Answer: Midbrain, pons,
and medulla oblongata
⩥ What is the primary function of the cerebellum?. Answer:
Coordination of movements, maintenance of posture, and equilibrium.
⩥ How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?. Answer: 12 pairs
⩥ What are the two types of fibers found in spinal nerves?. Answer:
Motor (efferent) fibers and sensory (afferent) fibers
⩥ What is a reflex?. Answer: An automatic, rapid, involuntary response
to a stimulus.
, ⩥ What are the two main types of neurons?. Answer: Sensory neurons
and motor neurons
⩥ What is the role of glial cells?. Answer: Supportive cells in the CNS
that assist neurons.
⩥ What happens to a neuron if its cell body is damaged?. Answer: The
neuron dies, but axons in the PNS may regenerate.
⩥ What is saltatory conduction?. Answer: Rapid conduction of impulses
along myelinated fibers.
⩥ What is a synapse?. Answer: The junction between presynaptic axon
terminal and postsynaptic neuron.
⩥ What are neurotransmitters?. Answer: Chemical messengers that
transmit signals across a synapse.
⩥ What is the synaptic cleft?. Answer: The space between the
presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons where neurotransmitters are
released.
⩥ What happens to neurotransmitters after they are released into the
synaptic cleft?. Answer: They are inactivated by enzymes or reuptake
into the presynaptic axon.
