Test Bank For Neuroanatomy (Sixth
Edition)by Dr. Douglas J. Gould PhD.
National Board–Style MCQs with 100%
Correct Answers and Explanations
,Table of contents
Chapter 1: Gross Anatomy of the Brain
Chapter 2: Meninges and Cerebrospinal Fluid
Chapter 3: Blood Supply of the Central Nervous System
Chapter 4: Development of the Nervous System
Chapter 5: Neurohistology
Chapter 6: Spinal Cord
Chapter 7: Tracts of the Spinal Cord
Chapter 8: Lesions of the Spinal Cord
Chapter 9: Brainstem
Chapter 10: Cranial Nerves
Chapter 11: Trigeminal System
Chapter 12: Lesions of the Brainstem
Chapter 13: Diencephalon: Thalamus and Hypothalamus
Chapter 14: Auditory System
Chapter 15: Vestibular System
Chapter 16: Visual System
Chapter 17: Olfactory, Gustatory, and Limbic Systems
Chapter 18: Basal Nuclei and the Extrapyramidal Motor System
Chapter 19: Cerebellum
Chapter 20: Autonomic Nervous System
Chapter 21: Neurotransmitters and Pathways
Chapter 22: Cerebral Cortex
,Chapter 1: Gross Anatomy of the Brain
Question 1
A first-year medical student is identifying surface landmarks on a cadaveric brain. She
identifies a prominent deep groove that separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.
Which of the following is the correct name for this landmark?
A. Lateral sulcus
B. Central sulcus
C. Parieto-occipital sulcus
D. Calcarine sulcus
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Correct option: The central sulcus (of Rolando) is the major landmark that
separates the frontal lobe anteriorly from the parietal lobe posteriorly. Distractors: The
lateral sulcus separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes. The
parieto-occipital sulcus separates the parietal and occipital lobes. The calcarine sulcus is
located on the medial surface of the occipital lobe.
Question 2
The primary auditory cortex is essential for the perception of sound. In which specific
anatomical location is this functional area found?
A. Superior frontal gyrus
B. Postcentral gyrus
C. Transverse temporal gyri (of Heschl)
D. Angular gyrus
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Correct option: The primary auditory cortex (Brodmann areas 41 and 42) is
located on the transverse temporal gyri of Heschl, which are found on the superior surface of
the temporal lobe. Distractors: The superior frontal gyrus is involved in motor and executive
functions. The postcentral gyrus is the primary somatosensory cortex. The angular gyrus is
involved in language processing (part of Wernicke’s area).
Question 3
The corpus callosum is the largest commissural pathway in the brain. Which of the following
represents the most posterior portion of this structure?
A. Genu
, B. Rostrum
C. Body
D. Splenium
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Correct option: The splenium is the thickened posterior end of the corpus
callosum. Distractors: The rostrum is the anterior-inferior portion. The genu is the anterior
"bend." The body (trunk) is the large middle segment.
Question 4
During a neuroanatomy lab, a student reflects the frontal, parietal, and temporal opercula.
Which lobe of the brain is hidden deep within the lateral sulcus?
A. Limbic lobe
B. Insular lobe (Insula)
C. Occipital lobe
D. Diencephalon
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Correct option: The insula lies deep within the lateral sulcus and is covered
by the overgrowth of the surrounding frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes (the opercula).
Distractors: The limbic lobe is found on the medial surface of the hemisphere. The occipital
lobe is at the posterior pole. The diencephalon is a deep core structure, not a lobe of the
cerebral cortex.
Question 5
A neuroanatomist is examining the ventral surface of the brainstem. He notes a pair of
prominent longitudinal bundles on the ventral aspect of the medulla oblongata. What are
these structures called?
A. Cerebral peduncles
B. Pyramids
C. Olive
D. Superior colliculi
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Correct option: The pyramids are two longitudinal ridges on the ventral
surface of the medulla containing the corticospinal tracts. Distractors: Cerebral peduncles
Edition)by Dr. Douglas J. Gould PhD.
National Board–Style MCQs with 100%
Correct Answers and Explanations
,Table of contents
Chapter 1: Gross Anatomy of the Brain
Chapter 2: Meninges and Cerebrospinal Fluid
Chapter 3: Blood Supply of the Central Nervous System
Chapter 4: Development of the Nervous System
Chapter 5: Neurohistology
Chapter 6: Spinal Cord
Chapter 7: Tracts of the Spinal Cord
Chapter 8: Lesions of the Spinal Cord
Chapter 9: Brainstem
Chapter 10: Cranial Nerves
Chapter 11: Trigeminal System
Chapter 12: Lesions of the Brainstem
Chapter 13: Diencephalon: Thalamus and Hypothalamus
Chapter 14: Auditory System
Chapter 15: Vestibular System
Chapter 16: Visual System
Chapter 17: Olfactory, Gustatory, and Limbic Systems
Chapter 18: Basal Nuclei and the Extrapyramidal Motor System
Chapter 19: Cerebellum
Chapter 20: Autonomic Nervous System
Chapter 21: Neurotransmitters and Pathways
Chapter 22: Cerebral Cortex
,Chapter 1: Gross Anatomy of the Brain
Question 1
A first-year medical student is identifying surface landmarks on a cadaveric brain. She
identifies a prominent deep groove that separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.
Which of the following is the correct name for this landmark?
A. Lateral sulcus
B. Central sulcus
C. Parieto-occipital sulcus
D. Calcarine sulcus
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Correct option: The central sulcus (of Rolando) is the major landmark that
separates the frontal lobe anteriorly from the parietal lobe posteriorly. Distractors: The
lateral sulcus separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes. The
parieto-occipital sulcus separates the parietal and occipital lobes. The calcarine sulcus is
located on the medial surface of the occipital lobe.
Question 2
The primary auditory cortex is essential for the perception of sound. In which specific
anatomical location is this functional area found?
A. Superior frontal gyrus
B. Postcentral gyrus
C. Transverse temporal gyri (of Heschl)
D. Angular gyrus
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Correct option: The primary auditory cortex (Brodmann areas 41 and 42) is
located on the transverse temporal gyri of Heschl, which are found on the superior surface of
the temporal lobe. Distractors: The superior frontal gyrus is involved in motor and executive
functions. The postcentral gyrus is the primary somatosensory cortex. The angular gyrus is
involved in language processing (part of Wernicke’s area).
Question 3
The corpus callosum is the largest commissural pathway in the brain. Which of the following
represents the most posterior portion of this structure?
A. Genu
, B. Rostrum
C. Body
D. Splenium
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Correct option: The splenium is the thickened posterior end of the corpus
callosum. Distractors: The rostrum is the anterior-inferior portion. The genu is the anterior
"bend." The body (trunk) is the large middle segment.
Question 4
During a neuroanatomy lab, a student reflects the frontal, parietal, and temporal opercula.
Which lobe of the brain is hidden deep within the lateral sulcus?
A. Limbic lobe
B. Insular lobe (Insula)
C. Occipital lobe
D. Diencephalon
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Correct option: The insula lies deep within the lateral sulcus and is covered
by the overgrowth of the surrounding frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes (the opercula).
Distractors: The limbic lobe is found on the medial surface of the hemisphere. The occipital
lobe is at the posterior pole. The diencephalon is a deep core structure, not a lobe of the
cerebral cortex.
Question 5
A neuroanatomist is examining the ventral surface of the brainstem. He notes a pair of
prominent longitudinal bundles on the ventral aspect of the medulla oblongata. What are
these structures called?
A. Cerebral peduncles
B. Pyramids
C. Olive
D. Superior colliculi
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Correct option: The pyramids are two longitudinal ridges on the ventral
surface of the medulla containing the corticospinal tracts. Distractors: Cerebral peduncles
