Question

'Tree of life' is

• A. Arbor vitae
• B. Pons Varolii
• C. Organ of Corti
• D. Diencephalon

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Arbor vitae

Arbor vitae is internal tree like network of white matter tracts of cerebellum that serves to convey both sensory and motor information to cerebellum. Owing to its appearance and crucial function, the white matter of cerebellum is termed as “Arbor vitae” which literally means “tree of life”. This makes option A correct.

Pons verolli is part of brain stem and is made up of white matter with bits of scattered grey matter. It serves as connector between spinal cord and brain and between different parts of brain; it also controls breathing.

Diencephalon is located between midbrain below and cerebrum above and consists of thalamus, hypothalamus and pineal gland. This makes option D incorrect as diencephalon mostly consists of grey matter which does not have tree like appearance.

Option C is incorrect as organ of corti is located in middle cochlear canal and has hair cells (mechanoreceptors) on its basilar membrane.