Bergen Community College
BIO 109 Anatomical Structures of the Brain
for Practical Exam Questions and Answers
2026 Latest Update
Dura Mater Ans: The outermost layer of the meninges surrounding the
brain.
Arachnoid Ans: The middle layer of the meninges, located between the dura
mater and pia mater.
Subarachnoid Space Ans: The space between the arachnoid and pia mater,
containing cerebrospinal fluid.
Pia Mater Ans: The innermost layer of the meninges, closely adhering to the
surface of the brain.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Ans: The fluid that surrounds and protects the
brain and spinal cord.
Lateral Ventricles (1 & 2) Ans: The two largest ventricles located in the
cerebral hemispheres.
Interventricular Foramen Ans: The channel that connects the lateral
ventricles to the third ventricle.
Third Ventricle (3) Ans: The ventricle located between the two halves of the
thalamus.
Cerebral Aqueduct Ans: The channel that connects the third ventricle to the
fourth ventricle.
Fourth Ventricle (4) Ans: The ventricle located between the brainstem and
the cerebellum.
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Choroid Plexuses in all Ventricles Ans: Structures that produce
cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles.
Longitudinal Fissure Ans: The deep groove that separates the two cerebral
hemispheres.
Central Sulcus Ans: The groove that separates the frontal lobe from the
parietal lobe.
Precentral & Postcentral Gyri Ans: The gyri located anterior and posterior to
the central sulcus, respectively.
Lateral Cerebral Sulcus Ans: The groove that separates the temporal lobe
from the frontal and parietal lobes.
Brain Lobes Ans: The four main regions of the brain: Frontal, Parietal,
Occipital, Temporal.
Thalamus Ans: The brain structure that relays sensory information to the
cerebral cortex.
Medial & Lateral Geniculate Nuclei Ans: Nuclei in the thalamus involved in
auditory and visual processing.
Ventral Posterior Nuclei Ans: Thalamic nuclei that relay somatosensory
information.
Ventral Lateral Nuclei Ans: Thalamic nuclei that are involved in motor
control.
Ventral Anterior Nuclei Ans: Thalamic nuclei that are involved in planning
and initiating movement.
Hypothalamus Ans: The brain region that regulates autonomic functions
and homeostasis.
Pituitary Gland Ans: The gland that regulates various hormonal functions in
the body.
Cerebrum Ans: The largest part of the brain responsible for higher brain
functions.
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