Nervous System Anatomy and Physiology
Exam Questions and Answers Graded A+
spinal cord - Correct answer-a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and
support cells that extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the
lumbar region of the vertebral column
cerebellum - Correct answer-a major feature of the hindbrain responsible for body
movements and balance
cerebrum - Correct answer-the principal and most anterior part of the brain in
vertebrates, located in the front area of the skull and consisting of two
hemispheres, left and right, separated by a fissure
midbrain - Correct answer-relays sensory and motor impulses; serves important
functions in motor movement, particularly movements of the eye, and in auditory
and visual processing.
pons - Correct answer-part of the brain stem, assists with regulation of breathing
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, medulla oblongata - Correct answer-part of brain stem, regulates heart rate, blood
pressure, and breathing, and controls the reflexes of coughing, sneezing, and
vomiting
pituitary gland - Correct answer-a pea-sized structure located at the base of the
brain, just below the hypothalamus, to which it is attached via nerve fibers. It is
part of the endocrine system and produces critical hormones, which are chemical
substances that control various bodily functions
hypothalamus - Correct answer-lower portion of diencephalon which acts as an
autonomic center regulating metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, thirst, hunger,
energy level, and body temperature
thalamus - Correct answer-middle portion of diencephalon which relays sensory
impulses up to the sensory cortex (aka the cerebrum); regulates sleep and
consciousness
epithalamus - Correct answer-upper portion of diencephalon that regulates
hormones secreted by the pineal gland. The pineal gland produces melatonin, a
serotonin derived hormone which modulates sleep patterns
striatum - Correct answer-structure lying at the base of the forebrain which is a
critical component of the motor and reward systems. Coordinates decision-making,
motivation, and reinforcement.
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Exam Questions and Answers Graded A+
spinal cord - Correct answer-a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and
support cells that extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the
lumbar region of the vertebral column
cerebellum - Correct answer-a major feature of the hindbrain responsible for body
movements and balance
cerebrum - Correct answer-the principal and most anterior part of the brain in
vertebrates, located in the front area of the skull and consisting of two
hemispheres, left and right, separated by a fissure
midbrain - Correct answer-relays sensory and motor impulses; serves important
functions in motor movement, particularly movements of the eye, and in auditory
and visual processing.
pons - Correct answer-part of the brain stem, assists with regulation of breathing
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, medulla oblongata - Correct answer-part of brain stem, regulates heart rate, blood
pressure, and breathing, and controls the reflexes of coughing, sneezing, and
vomiting
pituitary gland - Correct answer-a pea-sized structure located at the base of the
brain, just below the hypothalamus, to which it is attached via nerve fibers. It is
part of the endocrine system and produces critical hormones, which are chemical
substances that control various bodily functions
hypothalamus - Correct answer-lower portion of diencephalon which acts as an
autonomic center regulating metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, thirst, hunger,
energy level, and body temperature
thalamus - Correct answer-middle portion of diencephalon which relays sensory
impulses up to the sensory cortex (aka the cerebrum); regulates sleep and
consciousness
epithalamus - Correct answer-upper portion of diencephalon that regulates
hormones secreted by the pineal gland. The pineal gland produces melatonin, a
serotonin derived hormone which modulates sleep patterns
striatum - Correct answer-structure lying at the base of the forebrain which is a
critical component of the motor and reward systems. Coordinates decision-making,
motivation, and reinforcement.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
