Essential Neuroscience 3rd Ed Siegel
and Sapru Quizzes Ch 1, 3, 5, 6, 8-11, 13,
14, 18-20, 22, 25-27
A 79yo woman is admitted to the ED after she was found unconscious in her apartment. After she
regained consciousness, a neurologic examination indicated that she suffered a stroke with paralysis of
the right arm and leg as well as loss of speech.
The most likely region affected by the stroke that could account for limb paralysis is:
a) prefrontal cortex
b) precentral gyrus
c) postcentral gyrus
d) superior temporal gyrus
e) parietal lobe ANS -b) precentral gyrus
The primary motor cortex is located in the precentral gyrus, which is organized somatotopically. The
functions of the upper and lower limbs are represented in different regions along the precentral gyrus.
The postcentral gyrus represents a primary somesthetic receiving area for pain, temperature, pressure,
kinesthetic, and tactile impulses from the periphery. Although the superior frontal gyrus contains certain
groups of neurons (the supplementary and premotor motor areas) that also contribute to motor
functions, it is not a primary motor area. The superior parietal lobule is associated with sensory
discrimination processes and with the programming of signals to the premotor cortex. The posterior
parietal cortex represents a region of sensorimotor integration and the organization of complex
response patterns.
A 79yo woman is admitted to the ED after she was found unconscious in her apartment. After she
regained consciousness, a neurologic examination indicated that she suffered a stroke with paralysis of
the right arm and leg as well as loss of speech.
The loss of speech in this patient was due mainly to damage of the:
,a) superior frontal cortex
b) inferior temporal gyrus
c) inferior frontal gyrus
d) occipital cortex
e) medial aspect of parietal cortex ANS -c) inferior frontal gyrus
The posterior aspect of the inferior frontal gyrus contains a region called "Broca's motor speech" area.
LEsions affecting this region produce motor aphasia, which is characterized by a loss of ability to express
thoughts in a meaningful manner. The superior aspect of the frontal cortex is associated with
movements of the lower limbs, the inferior temporal gyrus is associated with perceptual functions, the
occipital cortex is associated with vision, and the medial aspect of the parietal lobe is associated with
somatosensory functions involving the leg.
During routine surgery for appendicitis, a clot is released from the lung of a 75yo man, causing the
patient to remain unconscious for a period of 1 week. Upon regaining consciousness, the patient finds
that he is unable to maintain his balance and, further, displays tremors while attempting to produce a
purposeful movement. In addition, the patient's movements are not smooth but jerky and lack
coordination. The region affected most likely include the:
a) spinal cord
b) medulla
c) pons
d) midbrain
e) cerebellum ANS -e) cerebellum
Although the spinal cord, medulla, pons, and midbrain play important roles in motor functions, the
primary functions of the cerebellum include regulation of motor functions. Damage to parts of this
structure causes a loss of balance, loss of coordination of movements, and tremors. Unlike the
cerebellum, none of the other regions has a direct role in the regulation of these processes
A magnetic resonance image scan taken of a 60yo woman revealed the presence of a tumor on the base
of the brain that was situated just anterior to the pituitary and the impinged upon the adjoining neural
tissue. A likely deficit resulting from this tumor includes:
,a) loss of movement of upper limbs
b) speech impairment
c) difficulties in breathing
d) changes in emotionality
e) loss of ability to experience pain ANS -d) changes in emotionality
The optic nerve enters the brain at the level of the far anterior hypothalamus. Tumors of this region of
the base of the brain commonly affect the hypothalamus, which plays an important role in the
regulation of emotional behavior and autonomic functions. Such tumors would also likely affect visual
functions. Movements of the limbs are affected by lesions of the internal capsule or precentral gyrus;
speech impairment is affected by damage to the inferior frontal or superior temporal gyrus; breathing is
affected by the lower brainstem; and pain is affected by parts of the brainstem, thalamus, and
postcentral gyrus.
A 45 yo man complained about having recurring headaches over a period of weeks. Subsequent tests
revealed the presence of a tumor along the lateral wall of the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle,
which did not produce hydrocephalus. One region that would be directly affected by the tumor is the:
a) caudate nucleus
b) putamen
c) globus pallidus
d) hippocampus
e) cingulate gyrus ANS -a) caudate nucleus
The head of the caudate nucleus is located adjacent to the lateral aspect of the anterior horn of the
lateral ventricle. Therefore, a tumor in this region would include the head of the caudate nucleus. The
putamen and globus pallidus lie lateral to the caudate nucleus at a position away from the lateral
ventricle, the hippocampus lies adjacent to the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle, and the cingulate
gyrus lies above the corpus callosum in a position not in proximity to the lateral ventricle
precentral gyrus ANS -cerebral cortex
brain region: frontal lobe
general functions: voluntary movement of muscles of body and head region
, associated disorder(s): loss of voluntary movement of body and head region
premotor region ANS -cerebral cortex
brain region: frontal lobe
general functions: aids and integrates voluntary movements of body
associated disorder(s): apraxia (loss of ability to carry out complex movements of body and head)
frontal eye fields ANS -cerebral cortex
brain region: frontal lobe
general functions: controls voluntary horizontal movements of the eyes
associated disorder(s): loss of voluntary control of horizontal eye movement (i.e. eyes cannot deviate to
side opposite lesion)
prefrontal cortex ANS -cerebral cortex
brain region: frontal lobe
general functions: intellectual functions; affective processes
associated disorder(s): intellectual and emotional impairment
Broca's motor speech area ANS -cerebral cortex
brain region: frontal lobe
general functions: regulates motor aspects of speech
associated disorder(s): motor aphasia
postcentral gyrus ANS -cerebral cortex
brain region: parietal lobe
general functions: conscious perception of somesthetic sesnation
associated disorder(s): loss of somatosensory perception
Wernicke's area ANS -cerebral cortex
