BIOL 235 ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ epidural space . Answer: - dura matter: superficial. thick strong
layer, dense irregular connective tissue. forms a sac from the level of
foramen magnum in the occipital bone, to the meningeal dura mater of
the brain to the second sacral vertebra. also continuous with the other
covering of the spinal and cranial nerves
- arachnoid mater: middle. thin avascular covering made of cells and
thin loosely arranged collagen and elastic fibres. continuous through the
foramen magnum and arachnoid mater within the brain.
- subdural space: thin space between dura and arachnoid mater filled
with interstitial fluid
- pia mater: deep. thin transparent connective tissue layer that adheres to
the surface of the spinal cord and brain. made of thin squamous to
cuboidal cells with interlacing bundles of collagen fibres and some
elastic. blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the spinal cord.
extensions called denticulate ligaments are thickenings of the pia mater
which suspended the spinal cord in the middle of its dural sheath.
- subarachnoid space
◉ external anatomy of spinal cord . Answer: - cervical (superior)
enlargement: extends from C4 to T1. nerves from the upper limbs arise
from here.
, - lumbar (inferior) enlargements: extends from T9 to T12. nerves to and
from lower limbs arise from here.
- conus medullaris: tapering concoidal structure which ends the spainal
cord between T12 and L1
- film terminale: arise from conus medullaris., extension of pia mater
that fuses with the arachnoid mater and dura mater, anchors the spinal
cord to the coccyx
- spinal nerves: pathway of communication between spinal cord and
specific regions of the body. each pair emerges from a different spinal
segment (C1-C8, T1-T12, L1-L5, S1-S5, and Co1).
- cauda equina: roots of the nerves collectively, meaning horses tail
◉ Internal anatomy of spinal cord . Answer: - anterior median fissure:
wide groove on the anterior ventral side
- posterior median sulcus: narrow furrow on the posterior dorsal side
- gray commissure: forms crossbar of the H
- central canal: in the centre of the gray commissure. extends entire
length of spinal cord and filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
- anterior or ventral white commissure: connects white matter of the
right and left sides of the spinal cord.
- nuclei: clusters of neuronal cell bodies that form functional groups in
the grey matter of the spinal cord and brain
- posterior (dorsal) gray horn: contain cell bodies and axons of
interneurons and axons of incoming sensory neurons (cell bodies are in
in posterior root ganglion of spine).
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ epidural space . Answer: - dura matter: superficial. thick strong
layer, dense irregular connective tissue. forms a sac from the level of
foramen magnum in the occipital bone, to the meningeal dura mater of
the brain to the second sacral vertebra. also continuous with the other
covering of the spinal and cranial nerves
- arachnoid mater: middle. thin avascular covering made of cells and
thin loosely arranged collagen and elastic fibres. continuous through the
foramen magnum and arachnoid mater within the brain.
- subdural space: thin space between dura and arachnoid mater filled
with interstitial fluid
- pia mater: deep. thin transparent connective tissue layer that adheres to
the surface of the spinal cord and brain. made of thin squamous to
cuboidal cells with interlacing bundles of collagen fibres and some
elastic. blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the spinal cord.
extensions called denticulate ligaments are thickenings of the pia mater
which suspended the spinal cord in the middle of its dural sheath.
- subarachnoid space
◉ external anatomy of spinal cord . Answer: - cervical (superior)
enlargement: extends from C4 to T1. nerves from the upper limbs arise
from here.
, - lumbar (inferior) enlargements: extends from T9 to T12. nerves to and
from lower limbs arise from here.
- conus medullaris: tapering concoidal structure which ends the spainal
cord between T12 and L1
- film terminale: arise from conus medullaris., extension of pia mater
that fuses with the arachnoid mater and dura mater, anchors the spinal
cord to the coccyx
- spinal nerves: pathway of communication between spinal cord and
specific regions of the body. each pair emerges from a different spinal
segment (C1-C8, T1-T12, L1-L5, S1-S5, and Co1).
- cauda equina: roots of the nerves collectively, meaning horses tail
◉ Internal anatomy of spinal cord . Answer: - anterior median fissure:
wide groove on the anterior ventral side
- posterior median sulcus: narrow furrow on the posterior dorsal side
- gray commissure: forms crossbar of the H
- central canal: in the centre of the gray commissure. extends entire
length of spinal cord and filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
- anterior or ventral white commissure: connects white matter of the
right and left sides of the spinal cord.
- nuclei: clusters of neuronal cell bodies that form functional groups in
the grey matter of the spinal cord and brain
- posterior (dorsal) gray horn: contain cell bodies and axons of
interneurons and axons of incoming sensory neurons (cell bodies are in
in posterior root ganglion of spine).
