NCS Neuroanatomy and Physiology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the major divisions of the nervous system?
- Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system (Correct answer)
- Only the brain
- Only nerves
- Only the spinal cord
Correct answer: Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system
The CNS processes information centrally while the PNS connects it to the rest of the body.
Question 2: What is the function of the cerebral cortex?
- Higher-level functions including thought, reasoning, memory, sensation, and voluntary movement (Correct answer)
- Only movement
- Only vision
- Only hearing
Correct answer: Higher-level functions including thought, reasoning, memory, sensation, and voluntary movement
The cerebral cortex is responsible for conscious thought and voluntary actions.
Question 3: What are the cranial nerves?
- Twelve pairs of nerves emerging directly from the brain, each with specific sensory or motor functions (Correct answer)
- Nerves in the spine only
- Blood vessels in the brain
- Muscles in the skull
Correct answer: Twelve pairs of nerves emerging directly from the brain, each with specific sensory or motor functions
The 12 cranial nerve pairs control functions from smell and vision to facial expression and swallowing.
Question 4: What is the blood-brain barrier?
- A selective permeability barrier protecting the brain from harmful substances in the blood (Correct answer)
- A physical wall around the brain
- A type of brain scan
- A surgical procedure
Correct answer: A selective permeability barrier protecting the brain from harmful substances in the blood
The BBB allows essential nutrients through while blocking potentially harmful substances.
Question 5: What is a dermatome?
- An area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve root (Correct answer)
- A skin condition
- A surgical tool
- A type of medication
Correct answer: An area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve root
Dermatome mapping helps clinicians identify which spinal nerve root level is affected based on sensory loss patterns.
Question 6: What is the autonomic nervous system?
- The division controlling involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing (Correct answer)
- The system for voluntary movement
- Only the brain
- Only pain sensation
Correct answer: The division controlling involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing
The ANS operates automatically, controlling vital functions without conscious thought.
NCS Neuroanatomy and Physiology 1
What are the major divisions of the nervous system?