[07] Central Nervous System (Brain and Spinal Cord) Flashcards
What is the Central Nervous System?
The main control center of the body comprising the brain and spinal cord
What are the main components of the Central Nervous System?
- Brain
- Spinal Cord
What are the main divisions of the brain?
- Cerebrum
- Cerebellum
- Brainstem
What is the role of the cerebrum in the CNS?
It controls higher order functions like thinking, learning, and consciousness
What is the role of the cerebellum in the CNS?
It controls coordination and balance
What is the role of the brainstem in the CNS?
It controls automatic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure
What is the role of the spinal cord in the CNS?
It transmits information between the brain and the rest of the body
How does the CNS interact with the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
The CNS receives information from the PNS, processes it, and then sends out commands
What are the main protective structures of the CNS?
- Skull (for the brain)
- Vertebral column (for the spinal cord)
What are the meninges?
Protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
What is the cerebral cortex?
The outer layer of the cerebrum involved in complex cognitive functions
What is the function of the frontal lobe in the cerebrum?
It is involved in reasoning, planning, parts of speech, and problem solving
What is the function of the parietal lobe in the cerebrum?
It is involved in movement, orientation, recognition, and perception of stimuli
What is the function of the occipital lobe in the cerebrum?
It is primarily responsible for vision
What is the function of the temporal lobe in the cerebrum?
It is involved in perception and recognition of auditory stimuli and memory
What is the function of the brain’s limbic system?
It is involved in emotions, memory, and behavior
What is the role of the hypothalamus in the CNS?
It regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and other homeostatic systems
What is the role of the thalamus in the CNS?
It relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex
What is the medulla oblongata and its function?
It is part of the brainstem and controls autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure
