Neuroanatomy US Medical PG Flashcards - Medical Study Cards
Master Neuroanatomy with OnCourse flashcards. These spaced repetition flashcards are designed for medical students preparing for NEET PG, USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2, MBBS exams, and other medical licensing examinations.
Neuroanatomy Flashcard Deck - 10 Cards
Flashcard 81: What is the function of the thalamus?
Answer: central relay center for all sensory information EXCEPT olfaction
Flashcard 82: ventral posteriomedial nucleus (VPM)
Answer: trigeminal, facial, glossopharyngeal nerves
Extra: facial sensation, taste
mnemonic: V Peri-Mouth (crappy mnemonic...)
primary somatosensory cortex (parietal lobe)
Flashcard 83: ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPL)
Answer: spinothalamic, DC-ML
Extra: pain/temp, pressure/touch, vibration/proprioception
mnemonic: Very Painful Loving
primary somatosensory cortex (parietal lobe)
Flashcard 84: lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN)
Answer: optic nerve
Extra: vision
lateral = light
primary visual cortex (occipital lobe)
Flashcard 85: What are the inputs and destination of the Ventral Lateral (VL) nucleus of the thalamus?
Answer: Input: Basal ganglia, Cerebellum
Output: Motor cortex (Primary motor & Premotor areas)
Extra: Function: Motor relay
Mnemonic: Viper-Lamborghini (VL)
Relays from the basal ganglia and cerebellum to the primary motor cortex.
Flashcard 86: Outline the direct pathway of the basal ganglia.
Answer: motor cortex - putamen - GPi - thalamus - motor cortex - motor nerves
Flashcard 87: Anatomically, how do the direct and indirect pathways of the basal ganglia differ?
Answer: The indirect pathway includes the Globus Pallidus externa (GPe) and the Subthalamic Nucleus (STN).
Direct pathway: Striatum → GPi / SNr
Indirect pathway: Striatum → GPe → STN → GPi / SNr
Extra: Both pathways start in the striatum and end in the internal globus pallidous (GPi) and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), but the indirect pathway adds two intermediate steps: the GPe and the STN.
Functionally:
Direct pathway = Pro-kinetic (disinhibits the thalamus).
Indirect pathway = Anti-kinetic (inhibits the thalamus).
Flashcard 88: Function and location of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in the basal ganglia circuit?
Answer: Biconvex lens-shaped nucleus located ventral to the thalamus; part of the basal ganglia indirect pathway.
Extra: The subthalamic nucleus (STN) receives inhibitory GABAergic input from the globus pallidus externus (GPe) and sends excitatory glutamatory output to the globus pallidus internus (GPi) and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). Lesions to the STN result in hemiballismus.
Flashcard 89: In the basal ganglia circuit, which nucleus provides primary excitatory input to the globus pallidus internus (GPi)?
Answer: Subthalamic nucleus (STN)
Extra: The indirect pathway logic: Striatum -> GPe (inhibited) -> STN (disinhibited/active) -> GPi (stimulated). The STN uses glutamate to excite the GPi, which then inhibits the thalamus.
Flashcard 90: What are the main afferent and efferent connections of the Putamen?
Answer: Afferents: Motor cortex, Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc)\nEfferents: Globus pallidus (GPe, GPi), Substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr)
Extra: The putamen is a key component of the basal ganglia, primarily involved in regulating motor functions. It receives excitatory input from the motor cortex and dopaminergic input from the SNc, and projects to the globus pallidus.
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