Nervous System

The first part of the name tells you from where the pathway commences, “spino-“; the second part tells you where the information is going, “thalamic”. If information is going from the spinal cord to thalamus (in the brain), it MUST be carrying sensory information.

The PNS comprises neurons that can transmit efferent motor impulses and neurons that transmit afferent sensory impulses.

The vagus nerve (CN X) carries about 90% of parasympathetic impulses. Choices A and D are true of the sympathetic division.

The basilar membrane is located in the inner ear and separates the scala tympani from the scala vestibuli. The tectorial membrane arches over the organ of Corti, while the tympanic membrane is the ear drum.

The occipital lobe contains the visual cortex (processes visual information) and the visual association area (interpretation of images). Hence damage to the occipital lobe would affect vision.

The organ of Corti in the inner ear generates auditory nerve impulses when the hair cells are stimulated. If some of the hair cells are damaged, they cannot produce impulses in the auditory nerve

Meatus is a canal like tube, for example, the external acoustic meatus (of the temporal bone), urethral meatus (of the penis) and nasal meatus.

Neurons produce nerve impulses. Nerves are bundles of neurones. Neuroglia are cells that support and protect neurones.

Choice A refers to the two divisions of the nervous system. Choice B refers to the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system. The terms in choice D are synonyms for those in choice B.

The phrenic nerve, which originates from spinal nerves leaving the spinal cord at C3, C4 and C5.