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CNS: Anatomy #Diencephalon

Q1. All of the following statements regarding the diencephalon are correct EXCEPT:

It forms the core (central part) of the forebrain
It consists of the third ventricle and its surrounding structures
The subthalamus is clearly visible in the mid-sagittal section
It is divided into thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, and subthalamus

Q2. All of the following about the thalamus are true EXCEPT:

It forms approximately 80% of the diencephalon
Its inferior surface is continuous with the tegmentum of the midbrain
Its posterior end expands to form the pulvinar
Its anterior end forms the anterior boundary of the interventricular foramen

Q3. Regarding the internal medullary lamina of the thalamus, all are correct EXCEPT:

It is a vertical sheet of white matter
It covers the lateral surface of the thalamus
It subdivides the thalamus into anterior, medial, and lateral parts
It contains fibers connecting different thalamic nuclei

Q4. All of the following statements about the anterior nucleus of the thalamus are correct EXCEPT:

It receives mammillothalamic tract fibers
It has reciprocal connections with the cingulate gyrus
It is primarily involved in somatic sensory relay
It is a component of the Papez circuit

Q5. All of the following nuclei belong to the dorsal tier of the lateral thalamic group EXCEPT:

Ventral lateral nucleus
Lateral dorsal nucleus
Pulvinar
Lateral posterior nucleus

Q6. Regarding the ventral anterior nucleus, all are true EXCEPT:

It receives afferents from globus pallidus
It receives afferents from substantia nigra
It influences motor cortex activity
It sends efferent fibers to the primary somatosensory cortex

Q7. All of the following are correct regarding the ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus EXCEPT:

It receives medial lemniscus fibers
It receives trigeminal lemniscus fibers
It receives spinothalamic tract fibers
It projects to the primary somatosensory cortex

Q8. All of the following about the intralaminar nuclei are true EXCEPT:

They are located within the internal medullary lamina
They influence consciousness and alertness
Their damage results in cortical blindness
They receive afferents from reticular formation

Q9. All of the following statements about the hypothalamus are correct EXCEPT:

It lies ventral to the thalamus
It is separated from the thalamus by the hypothalamic sulcus
It extends from optic chiasma to mammillary bodies
It weighs approximately 40 grams

Q10. The hypothalamus can influence every tissue in the body mainly due to its:

Neuroendocrine and autonomic integration
Large size
Direct corticospinal projections
High cerebrospinal fluid content

Q11. When viewed from below, the correct anterior-to-posterior sequence of hypothalamic relations is:

Infundibulum → optic chiasma → mammillary bodies
Optic chiasma → infundibulum → mammillary bodies
Optic tract → mammillary bodies → infundibulum
Mammillary bodies → optic chiasma → infundibulum

Q12. All of the following nuclei belong to the medial zone of hypothalamus EXCEPT:

Ventromedial nucleus
Paraventricular nucleus
Infundibular (arcuate) nucleus
Supraoptic nucleus

Q13. All of the following are afferent connections to the hypothalamus EXCEPT:

Hippocampo-hypothalamic fibers
Amygdalo-hypothalamic fibers
Hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract
Thalamo-hypothalamic fibers

Q14. Damage to descending hypothalamic fibers may affect all of the following cranial parasympathetic nuclei EXCEPT:

Trigeminal nerve nucleus
Oculomotor nucleus
Facial nerve nucleus
Dorsal motor nucleus of vagus

Q15. All of the following statements about ADH are correct EXCEPT:

Synthesized in supraoptic nucleus
Released from adenohypophysis
Transported via hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract
Released into fenestrated capillaries

Q16. The hypophyseal portal system is best described as:

A neural connection to posterior pituitary
A lymphatic drainage pathway
A venous sinus system
A vascular connection between hypothalamus and anterior pituitary

Q17. All of the following are functions of the anterior hypothalamic nuclei EXCEPT:

Heat production
Heat dissipation
Sweating
Vasodilatation of skin vessels

Q18. Damage to the ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus leads to:

Passivity
Anorexia
Rage
Hypothermia

Q19. All of the following statements regarding the subthalamic nucleus are correct EXCEPT:

It lies ventral to the thalamus
It is lateral to the hypothalamus
It is involved in voluntary motor control
It is part of the epithalamus

Q20. All of the following structures belong to the epithalamus EXCEPT:

Pineal gland
Subthalamic nucleus
Habenular nuclei
Habenular commissure