Nervous System Anatomy Worksheet

A Reading questions

1 What do the abbreviations CNS and PNS stand for? What are the main divisions of PNS?

2 What are dendrites? What are axons?

3 What are the four major sections of the brain?

4 What is the position and function of the spinal cord?

5 What is the surface protection of the brain called?

6 What is the name for the liquid circulation around the spinal cord and the brain and what is its
function?

7 What is a reflex?


B Complete each sentence with a word made from the word in brackets:

1 The brain is ______________ in the cranium and the spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae.
(CLOSE)

2 The meninges are three layers of ______________ membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
(PROTECT)

3 The ______________ layer of the meninges is the pia mater, tightly bound to the surface of the
brain. (INNER)

4 If a person is _____________, he or she is unconscious and unable to wake up. (COMA)

5 Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative __________ disease of the CNS attacking the myelin sheath.
(INFLAMMATION)


C Choose the correct option.

1 Dentists _____ the tissue around the tooth before they drill.     A die B dead  C deaden D deafen

2 The nervous system is ____ into two major areas: CNS and PNS.   A divorced B broken C separated D
divided

3 An injury to the brainstem can result ______ death.   A at  B for C in  D into

4 The brain __ of the cerebrum, diencephalon, brainstem and cerebellum.   A comprises B contains C
consists D compasses


D Complete each gap with ONE word.

_____ (1) neurons cannot replicate (mitotically divide), in many cases they may be able to
regenerate (repair themselves) after having been traumatized. In the cases ___ (2) a peripheral
nerve, healing and regeneration are likely to occur if the two ends are aligned in case proximity.
The distal portion of the axon ___ (3) was severed from the cell body degenerates and is
phagocytosed by Schwann cells and by macrophages that migrate ___ (4) the trauma zone. Once the
debris has been disposed ___ (5), the surviving Schwann cells proliferate to form a regeneration
tube. The part of the axon that is ____ (6) to the cell body begins to grow and exhibit amoeboid
movement. The Schwann cells of the regeneration tube are ___ (7) to secrete chemicals that attract
the growing axon tip, and the tube itself helps to guide the regenerating axon to its proper
destination. Even a major nerve fibre that has been severed ___ (8) be surgically reconnected and
the function of the nerve largely reestablished if the surgery is performed before tissue death has
occurred.





E Grammar Point