CEREBRAL CORTEX
NEUROPHYSIOLOGY EXAM WITH
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
{ GRADED A+}
Isocortex (Neocortex) - ✔✔90% of the cortex composed of 6 layers
Allocortex - ✔✔phylogenetically older, 3 layers; hippocampal
formation, olfactory cortex
Cortical Layers - ✔✔1. molecular layer; contains axons and dendrites
2. external granular layer; contains densely packed stellate cells and
small pyramidal cells
3. external pyramidal layer; loosely packed stellate cells and medium
pyramidal cells with cell bodies projecting to other cortical areas
, 4. internal granular layer; densely packed stellate cells only
5. internal pyramidal layer; large pyramidal cells (few stellate cells),
giant pyramidal cells of Betz projecting to caudate putamen, pons, spinal
cord, brainstem, cranial nerves, reticular formation, red nucleus
6. fusiform layer; multiple pyramidal cells and loosely packed stellate
cells projecting to the thalamus
Columnar Organization - ✔✔there are cortical columns such as found
in the somatosensory cortex; cells respond to same location/quality of
stimulation organized in columns
Cortical Surface - ✔✔large number of neurons; cortex is folded,
forming gyri and sulci optimizing surface area
Cerebral Hemispheres - ✔✔each hemisphere is divided into five lobes;
frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, limbic
Area 4 - ✔✔the primary motor cortex; directs movement of the body
NEUROPHYSIOLOGY EXAM WITH
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
{ GRADED A+}
Isocortex (Neocortex) - ✔✔90% of the cortex composed of 6 layers
Allocortex - ✔✔phylogenetically older, 3 layers; hippocampal
formation, olfactory cortex
Cortical Layers - ✔✔1. molecular layer; contains axons and dendrites
2. external granular layer; contains densely packed stellate cells and
small pyramidal cells
3. external pyramidal layer; loosely packed stellate cells and medium
pyramidal cells with cell bodies projecting to other cortical areas
, 4. internal granular layer; densely packed stellate cells only
5. internal pyramidal layer; large pyramidal cells (few stellate cells),
giant pyramidal cells of Betz projecting to caudate putamen, pons, spinal
cord, brainstem, cranial nerves, reticular formation, red nucleus
6. fusiform layer; multiple pyramidal cells and loosely packed stellate
cells projecting to the thalamus
Columnar Organization - ✔✔there are cortical columns such as found
in the somatosensory cortex; cells respond to same location/quality of
stimulation organized in columns
Cortical Surface - ✔✔large number of neurons; cortex is folded,
forming gyri and sulci optimizing surface area
Cerebral Hemispheres - ✔✔each hemisphere is divided into five lobes;
frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, limbic
Area 4 - ✔✔the primary motor cortex; directs movement of the body
