National League for Nursing (NLN PAX) Practice Exam

Amnesia in humans is the loss of memory. Which of these parts of the brain has been affected when someone is suffering from amnesia caused by head trauma?

1. Cerebral cortex.

2. Cerebellum.

3. Medulla oblongata.

4. Spinal cord.

The correct answer is: Cerebral cortex.

The cerebral cortex is the correct answer because it plays a crucial role in memory formation and retrieval. Different areas of the cerebral cortex are involved in various types of memory processing, including the storage and recall of long-term memories. When a person experiences head trauma, damage to the cerebral cortex can lead to both anterograde amnesia (the inability to create new memories) and retrograde amnesia (the loss of pre-existing memories). The other structures mentioned have distinct roles in the nervous system that do not primarily involve memory. The cerebellum is mainly responsible for coordination and balance, the medulla oblongata controls autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate, and the spinal cord acts as a conduit for signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Therefore, while they are vital for overall functioning, they are not the key players in memory loss associated with amnesia caused by head trauma.