Nolte: The Human Brain, 6th Edition
Test Bank
Autonomic Nervous System
Multiple Choice
1. Damage to the posterior and lateral zones of the hypothalamus would most likely result
in which of the following?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Peripheral vasodilation
C. Pupillary dilation
D. Decreased gut peristalsis
E. Closing of sphincters
ANS: B
Stimulation of the posterolateral zone of the hypothalamus typically results in behaviors
associated with anxiety. These may include increased sympathetic visceromotor response
as well as aggressive behavior and increased body temperature. Thus the most likely
physiological process to occur if there is damage to this area would be peripheral
vasodilation, as this is a parasympathetic-mediated phenomenon.
2. A 25-year-old woman suffered severe brain injury after her commuter train derailed.
For weeks after the impact, she experienced episodes of agitation, dystonia, tachycardia,
hypertension, and hyperthermia. Her caretakers note that the events are triggered by
the doorbell, telephone, and alarm clocks.
,The symptoms experienced by this woman are mostly likely caused by which of the
following?
A. Increased parasympathetic activity
B. Decreased parasympathetic activity
C. Increased sympathetic activity
D. Decreased sympathetic activity
ANS: C
Dysfunction of the balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic activity is common
following traumatic brain injury. Increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system as a
result of this dysfunction is referred to as dysautonomia or “sympathetic storming.”
3.
,4. During the exam of a 7-year-old girl her optometrist notices that her left eye does not
constrict as the light from the ophthalmoscope is moved in front of her eye.
A lesion in which of the following structures would most likely account for this observation?
A. Facial motor nucleus
B. Otic ganglion
C. Cervical sympathetic trunk
D. Ciliary ganglion
E. Dorsal motor nucleus of X
ANS: D
The ciliary ganglion is a post-synaptic parasympathetic ganglion responsible for sending
efferent fibers to the circular muscles of the pupil for constriction and the ciliary muscles of
the lens for accommodation.
4. Which of the following is the most rostral parasympathetic nucleus in the brainstem?
A. Superior salivary
B. Edinger-Westphal
C. Abducens
D. Otic
E. Interior salivary
ANS: B
The Edinger-Westphal nucleus is located in the rostral midbrain, anterolateral to the
cerebral aqueduct, at the level of the superior colliculus.
, 5. A 47-year-old business executive is referred to a gastroenterologist after complaining of
“burning pain” in the epigastric region. He indicates that the pain becomes more severe
when he eats but is relieved after he drinks a glass of milk. Physical examination
indicates that the abdomen is distended and tender in the umbilical region.
An upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination of this patient would most likely reveal
which of the following?
A. Duodenal ulcer
B. Ulcerative colitis
C. Esophageal varicosis
D. Gastric ulcer
E. Diverticulitis
ANS: D
Gastric ulcers are a form of peptic ulcer that develop in the inside lining of the stomach. The
pain associated with gastric ulcers usually worsens with eating.
6. Which of the following is responsible for stimulating gastric acid secretion?
A. Glossopharyngeal nerve
B. Vagus nerve
C. Trigeminal nerve
D. Great splanchnic nerve
E. Anterior primary rami T5-T9
ANS: B
Parasympathetic fibers traveling with the vagus nerve and the hormone gastrin stimulate
gastric acid secretion.
Test Bank
Autonomic Nervous System
Multiple Choice
1. Damage to the posterior and lateral zones of the hypothalamus would most likely result
in which of the following?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Peripheral vasodilation
C. Pupillary dilation
D. Decreased gut peristalsis
E. Closing of sphincters
ANS: B
Stimulation of the posterolateral zone of the hypothalamus typically results in behaviors
associated with anxiety. These may include increased sympathetic visceromotor response
as well as aggressive behavior and increased body temperature. Thus the most likely
physiological process to occur if there is damage to this area would be peripheral
vasodilation, as this is a parasympathetic-mediated phenomenon.
2. A 25-year-old woman suffered severe brain injury after her commuter train derailed.
For weeks after the impact, she experienced episodes of agitation, dystonia, tachycardia,
hypertension, and hyperthermia. Her caretakers note that the events are triggered by
the doorbell, telephone, and alarm clocks.
,The symptoms experienced by this woman are mostly likely caused by which of the
following?
A. Increased parasympathetic activity
B. Decreased parasympathetic activity
C. Increased sympathetic activity
D. Decreased sympathetic activity
ANS: C
Dysfunction of the balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic activity is common
following traumatic brain injury. Increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system as a
result of this dysfunction is referred to as dysautonomia or “sympathetic storming.”
3.
,4. During the exam of a 7-year-old girl her optometrist notices that her left eye does not
constrict as the light from the ophthalmoscope is moved in front of her eye.
A lesion in which of the following structures would most likely account for this observation?
A. Facial motor nucleus
B. Otic ganglion
C. Cervical sympathetic trunk
D. Ciliary ganglion
E. Dorsal motor nucleus of X
ANS: D
The ciliary ganglion is a post-synaptic parasympathetic ganglion responsible for sending
efferent fibers to the circular muscles of the pupil for constriction and the ciliary muscles of
the lens for accommodation.
4. Which of the following is the most rostral parasympathetic nucleus in the brainstem?
A. Superior salivary
B. Edinger-Westphal
C. Abducens
D. Otic
E. Interior salivary
ANS: B
The Edinger-Westphal nucleus is located in the rostral midbrain, anterolateral to the
cerebral aqueduct, at the level of the superior colliculus.
, 5. A 47-year-old business executive is referred to a gastroenterologist after complaining of
“burning pain” in the epigastric region. He indicates that the pain becomes more severe
when he eats but is relieved after he drinks a glass of milk. Physical examination
indicates that the abdomen is distended and tender in the umbilical region.
An upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination of this patient would most likely reveal
which of the following?
A. Duodenal ulcer
B. Ulcerative colitis
C. Esophageal varicosis
D. Gastric ulcer
E. Diverticulitis
ANS: D
Gastric ulcers are a form of peptic ulcer that develop in the inside lining of the stomach. The
pain associated with gastric ulcers usually worsens with eating.
6. Which of the following is responsible for stimulating gastric acid secretion?
A. Glossopharyngeal nerve
B. Vagus nerve
C. Trigeminal nerve
D. Great splanchnic nerve
E. Anterior primary rami T5-T9
ANS: B
Parasympathetic fibers traveling with the vagus nerve and the hormone gastrin stimulate
gastric acid secretion.
