,BIOL331/BIOL 331 Module 6
Pathophysiology | Portage |Q&A| 26/27
Actual (PDF)
1. A neuroscientist is mapping the structural organization of the nervous system. Which two organs
comprise the central nervous system?
A) Brain and spinal cord
B) Cranial nerves and spinal nerves
C) Sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia
D) Afferent and efferent neurons
Correct Answer: Brain and spinal cord
Rationale: The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, which serve as the
primary integration and processing centers. Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and ganglia belong to the
peripheral nervous system, while sympathetic, parasympathetic, afferent, and efferent classifications
describe functional divisions rather than the major anatomical organs.
2. A researcher is studying the protective coverings of the central nervous system. Which layer is the
innermost meningeal membrane that directly adheres to the brain surface?
A) Dura mater
B) Arachnoid mater
C) Pia mater
,D) Subdural space
Correct Answer: Pia mater
Rationale: The pia mater is the delicate, innermost meningeal layer that adheres directly to the brain
and spinal cord surface, containing blood vessels that perfuse the CNS. The dura mater is the
outermost layer, the arachnoid mater is the middle layer, and the subdural space is a potential space
rather than a membrane.
3. Cerebrospinal fluid circulates within a specific space to cushion the central nervous system. Which
anatomical space contains this fluid?
A) Epidural space
B) Subdural space
C) Subarachnoid space
D) Ventricular space
Correct Answer: Subarachnoid space
Rationale: Cerebrospinal fluid circulates in the subarachnoid space located between the arachnoid
mater and pia mater. The epidural and subdural spaces are potential spaces that do not normally
contain CSF, and the ventricular space contains CSF but is not the primary site of circulation around
the brain and spinal cord.
4. A histologist is examining specialized ependymal cells that produce cerebrospinal fluid. Which
structure are these cells examining?
A) Choroid plexus
, B) Arachnoid villi
C) Dura mater
D) Pia mater
Correct Answer: Choroid plexus
Rationale: The choroid plexus consists of specialized ependymal cells that project into the ventricles
and produce cerebrospinal fluid. Arachnoid villi absorb CSF into the bloodstream, while the dura
mater and pia mater are meningeal layers that do not produce CSF.
5. A neurologist is testing a patient's ability to track an object laterally with their eyes. Which cranial
nerve is responsible for this movement?
A) Optic nerve (CN II)
B) Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
C) Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
D) Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Correct Answer: Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Rationale: The abducens nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle, which is responsible for lateral
eye movement. The optic nerve controls vision, the oculomotor nerve controls most eye movements
and pupil constriction, and the trochlear nerve controls downward and inward eye movement.
Pathophysiology | Portage |Q&A| 26/27
Actual (PDF)
1. A neuroscientist is mapping the structural organization of the nervous system. Which two organs
comprise the central nervous system?
A) Brain and spinal cord
B) Cranial nerves and spinal nerves
C) Sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia
D) Afferent and efferent neurons
Correct Answer: Brain and spinal cord
Rationale: The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, which serve as the
primary integration and processing centers. Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and ganglia belong to the
peripheral nervous system, while sympathetic, parasympathetic, afferent, and efferent classifications
describe functional divisions rather than the major anatomical organs.
2. A researcher is studying the protective coverings of the central nervous system. Which layer is the
innermost meningeal membrane that directly adheres to the brain surface?
A) Dura mater
B) Arachnoid mater
C) Pia mater
,D) Subdural space
Correct Answer: Pia mater
Rationale: The pia mater is the delicate, innermost meningeal layer that adheres directly to the brain
and spinal cord surface, containing blood vessels that perfuse the CNS. The dura mater is the
outermost layer, the arachnoid mater is the middle layer, and the subdural space is a potential space
rather than a membrane.
3. Cerebrospinal fluid circulates within a specific space to cushion the central nervous system. Which
anatomical space contains this fluid?
A) Epidural space
B) Subdural space
C) Subarachnoid space
D) Ventricular space
Correct Answer: Subarachnoid space
Rationale: Cerebrospinal fluid circulates in the subarachnoid space located between the arachnoid
mater and pia mater. The epidural and subdural spaces are potential spaces that do not normally
contain CSF, and the ventricular space contains CSF but is not the primary site of circulation around
the brain and spinal cord.
4. A histologist is examining specialized ependymal cells that produce cerebrospinal fluid. Which
structure are these cells examining?
A) Choroid plexus
, B) Arachnoid villi
C) Dura mater
D) Pia mater
Correct Answer: Choroid plexus
Rationale: The choroid plexus consists of specialized ependymal cells that project into the ventricles
and produce cerebrospinal fluid. Arachnoid villi absorb CSF into the bloodstream, while the dura
mater and pia mater are meningeal layers that do not produce CSF.
5. A neurologist is testing a patient's ability to track an object laterally with their eyes. Which cranial
nerve is responsible for this movement?
A) Optic nerve (CN II)
B) Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
C) Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
D) Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Correct Answer: Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Rationale: The abducens nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle, which is responsible for lateral
eye movement. The optic nerve controls vision, the oculomotor nerve controls most eye movements
and pupil constriction, and the trochlear nerve controls downward and inward eye movement.
