PHYSIOLOGY OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS)

University Exam Question Bank

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (LAQ) — 10 Marks

1. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Describe the lobes (divisions), structure, connections and nuclei of the Cerebellum. Write about the functions of cerebellum, features of cerebellar lesions, and add a note on Dysdiadochokinesia.
2. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Write in detail about the physiological anatomy, connections and functions of Basal Ganglia. Write a note on Parkinsonism.
3. ⭐⭐⭐ What is pain? Discuss types of pain, pain receptors, and explain the Pain Pathway with a neat labelled diagram. Add a note on referred pain.
4. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What are pyramidal tracts? Write in detail about the Corticospinal Tract with a flow chart. Mention the functions of pyramidal tracts. Add a note on hemiplegia.
5. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A) What is EEG? Describe the waves and their features. B) Normal EEG pattern and EEG uses. C) Types of Sleep with their significance; draw the sleep cycle. D) Sleep disorders.
6. ⭐⭐⭐ A) What is a synapse? Types of synapses with their location. B) Describe events occurring at a synapse (Synaptic Transmission). C) What are the properties of a synapse?
7. ⭐ A) Describe classification of thalamic nuclei. B) Write about connections and functions of Thalamus. C) Thalamic syndrome.
8. ⭐⭐⭐ Write in detail about the Internal Capsule and effects of its lesions.
9. ⭐ Write about formation, composition and functions of CSF. Add a note on hydrocephalus.
10. ⭐⭐⭐ Describe Sensory Pathways (Ascending tracts) in detail.
11. ⭐⭐⭐ Describe Motor Pathways (Descending tracts) in detail.
12. ⭐⭐⭐ Write about the Cerebral Cortex - functional areas, Brodmann areas, and their significance.
13. ⭐⭐⭐ Describe Reflexes - classification, reflex arc, and clinical significance.
14. ⭐⭐⭐ Describe Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) and Lower Motor Neuron (LMN) lesions - characteristic features and differences.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (SAQ) — 5 Marks

Synapse & Neural Transmission

1. ⭐⭐⭐ Properties of synapses
2. EPSP and IPSP and their ionic basis
3. Renshaw cell inhibition
4. Feed-forward inhibition
5. Synaptic inhibition
6. Chemical and electrical synapses

Sensory System

1. ⭐⭐⭐ Anterolateral sensory pathway and its functions
2. ⭐⭐⭐ Dorsal column pathway (Dorsal column lemniscus system)
3. Classification and properties of receptors
4. Encoding of sensory information
5. Spinothalamic tracts
6. Stereognosis
7. Lateral inhibition
8. Pain pathway
9. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Referred pain and theories of referred pain
10. Visceral pain

Motor System

1. ⭐⭐⭐ Corticospinal tract - origin, course, termination and functions (with diagram)
2. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Differentiate between UMN lesion and LMN lesion
3. Muscle spindle
4. Golgi tendon organ
5. Stretch reflex and inverse stretch reflex
6. Reflex arc and muscle tone
7. ⭐⭐⭐ Clonus
8. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Withdrawal reflexes
9. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Babinski sign
10. Conditioned reflex / ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Conditioned reflexes
11. Properties of reflexes
12. Monosynaptic vs polysynaptic reflex
13. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Decerebrate rigidity
14. ⭐⭐⭐ Decorticate rigidity
15. Spinal shock

Cerebellum & Basal Ganglia

1. ⭐⭐⭐ Cerebellar functions
2. ⭐⭐⭐ Huntington's chorea
3. Chorea and athetosis
4. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Physiopathology of Parkinsonism

Higher Functions

1. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Physiology of Memory
2. ⭐⭐⭐ Anterograde amnesia
3. Amnesia
4. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Alzheimer's disease
5. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Speech disorders
6. ⭐⭐⭐ Broca's area and Wernicke's area
7. Aphasia and its types
8. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Connections of prefrontal lobe and its functions; effects of prefrontal lobotomy
9. Functions of parietal lobe
10. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Functional areas of brain

Sleep & EEG

1. Types of sleep and EEG changes
2. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ REM sleep - features
3. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NREM sleep - features
4. EEG - waves and features

Thalamus, Hypothalamus & Limbic System

1. Functions of hypothalamus / ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hypothalamus functions and connections
2. ⭐⭐⭐ Hypothalamic regulation of food control
3. Thalamus - nuclei, functions
4. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Functions of limbic system; Papez circuit

Brainstem & Reticular System

1. Functions of reticular formation
2. ⭐⭐⭐ Ascending reticular activating system
3. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brown-Sequard Syndrome
4. ⭐⭐⭐ Lateral hemisection of spinal cord
5. ⭐⭐⭐ Complete transection of spinal cord
6. Tabes dorsalis
7. ⭐⭐⭐ Phantom limb

Autonomic Nervous System

1. ⭐⭐⭐ Differentiate sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
2. Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system - origin, distribution and functions
3. Vestibular apparatus
4. Meniere's disease

CSF & BBB

1. ⭐⭐⭐ Blood brain barrier
2. Cerebrospinal fluid - formation, circulation, absorption, functions, hydrocephalus

VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (VSAQ) — 2 Marks

1. Muscle proteins
2. Theories of ageing
3. Renshaw cell inhibition
4. Weber-Fechner law
5. Frank-Starling law
6. Brodmann areas
7. GABA
8. Aphasia
9. Reflex arc
10. Motor end plate
11. Muscle spindle
12. Golgi tendon organ
13. Sensory homunculus
14. Motor homunculus
15. Receptors - classification and properties
16. Babinski sign
17. Decerebrate rigidity
18. Decorticate rigidity
19. Kluver-Bucy syndrome
20. Lateral inhibition
21. Memory
22. Conditioned reflex

Key for Priority (⭐ rating based on frequency across sources):

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Most frequently repeated / highest priority (asked almost every exam)
• ⭐⭐⭐ = Frequently asked
• ⭐ = Asked occasionally
• No star = Listed once in a source

Top priority topics to focus on: Cerebellum, Basal Ganglia (Parkinsonism), Corticospinal Tract, Pain pathways, EEG & Sleep, CSF, Brown-Sequard Syndrome, UMN vs LMN lesions, Synaptic transmission, Decerebrate rigidity, and Aphasia.