1 Neuroanatomy and Neuroscience Flashcards
Frontal lob
- primary motor cortex
- prefrontal cortex- personality, executive functions, social behaviors, judgment
- Broca’s area- language output
Parietal lobe
- primary sensory cortex
- perception and integration
- visual and auditory processing
Temporal lobe
- primary auditory cortex
- Wernicke’s area- language comprehension
- memory
- identification of objects
Occipital lobe
- primary visual cortex
- visual association cortex
Primary motor cortex
- voluntary movements
- frontal lobe (pre-central gyrus)
Premotor area
- trunk and girdle muscles, anticipatory postural adjustments
- externally guided
- frontal lobe
Supplementary motor area
- planning of movements, initiation of movement, bimanual and sequential movements
- internally guided
- frontal lobe
Broca’s area
- motor planning of speech
- frontal lobe, usually left
- non-verbal communication is in frontal lobe opposite Broca’s
Primary somatosensory cortex
- discriminates shape, texture, or size of objects
- parietal lobe (post-central gyrus)
Primary auditory cortex
- conscious processing of sounds
- temporal lobe
Primary visual cortex
- distinguishes light/dark, shape, size, location, and movement of objects
- occipital lobe
Primary vestibular cortex
- processes information regarding head position and head movement
- parietal lobe
Somatosensory association area
- stereognosis and memory of the tactile and spatial environment
- parietal lobe
Visual association area
- analysis of colors and motion, visual fixation
- occipital and temporal lobes
Auditory association areas
- classification of sounds (language, music, noise, etc.)
- temporal lobe
Limbic system components and function
- Hippocampus
- Amygdala
- Hypothalamus
- Anterior and medial nuclei of the thalamus
- Limbic cortex- cingulate gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, uncus
- emotions (amygdala- instincts, motivation, aggression, etc
- memory (hippocampus)- declarative
Diencephalon components
- thalamus
- hypothalamus
- epithalamus
- subthalamus
Thalamus
- collection of nuclei above brainstem
- relay of sensory and motor signals to cerebral cortex
- all sensory except olfactory, motor from cerebellum and BG
- regulation of consciousness, arousal, and attention
- assists in integration of visceral and somatic functions
Hypothalamus
- below thalamus
- strongly connected to endocrine system and pituitary gland
- maintains homeostasis- body temp, metabolic rate, BP, hunger, digestion, water balance, etc.
- regulates circadian rhythm
- emotional expressions (pleasure, fear, anger, etc.)
- involved in function of ANS
Epithalamis
- above thalamus
- major component is pineal gland
- secretes hormones that influence pituitary gland
- helps regulate circadian rhythm
Subthalamus
- below thalamus
- part of BG
- involved in control of movement
Internal capsule
- axons connecting cerebral cortex and subcortical structures
- fiber tracts separate thalamus and BG
Basal ganglia components
- caudate
- putamen
- globus pallidus (internus and externus)
- subthalamic nucleus (diencepalon)
- substantia nigra (pars compacta and pars reticulata)
Lentiform nucleus
-globus pallidus + putamen
Striatum
Caudate + putamen
Basal ganglia function
- regulates movement via control of sequencing, muscle tone, muscle force
- communicates with with motor planning areas of cerebral cortex via thalamus
- influences LMN via connections with the pedunculopontine nucleus of midbrain
Functional regions of cerebellum
- vestibulocerebellum = flocculonodular lobe
- spinocerebellum = vermis and paravermal hemispheres
- cerebrocerebellum = lateral hemispheres
Cerebellum function and input/output
- function- compares actual movement to intended movement and makes adjustments
- postural adjustments and coordination of movement
- inputs- mossy fibers (information), climbing fibers (timing)
- outputs- Purkinje cells
Vestibulocerebellum
- regulates equilibrium
- inputs from vestibular nuclei and superior colliculus for eye and head position/movement
- outputs to medial vestibular nucleus (VOR, eye-head coordination) and lateral vestibular nucleus, reticulospinal system, primary motor cortex (postural reactions)
- deep nucleus = fastigial
Spinocerebellum
- regulates gross limb movements
- inputs from spinocerebellar tracts
- outputs to vestibulospinal and reticulospinal tracts, motor cortex and red nucleus
- deep nuclei = emboliform and globose
Cerebrocerebellum
- regulates distal limb voluntary movements
- motor planning, timing/rhythm
- inputs from cerebral cortex via pontine nuclei
- outputs to motor and pre-motor cortices via thalamus, red nucleus to activate rubrospinal tract
- deep nucleus = dentate
Brainstem functions
- communication pathway between cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord
- origin of all descending pathways except corticospinal tract
- location of CN III-XII nuclei
- regulates cardiovascular, respiratory, and visceral activity
- regulates arousal and awareness through ascending reticular activating system
Midbrain
- cerebral peducles are anterior- descending tracts from cerebral cortex
- substantia nigra = part of BG
- red nucleus
- superior colliculus- reflexive head/eye movements
- inferior colliculus- relays auditory information
- CN nuclei III, IV, V (mesencephalic nucleus)
Pons
- corticopontine tracts synapse on pontine nuclei
- most cerebellar peduncles
- CN nuclei V (main sensory, spinal Trigeminal, motor nuclei), VI, VII
Medulla
- pyramids are anterior- descending axons of corticospinal tract
- olives lateral to pyramids
- inferior cerebellar peduncle posterior
- decussation of corticospinal and DCML tracts
- medial longitudinal fasciculus connects vestibular nuclei and oculomotor nuclei
- inferior olivary nucleus is deep to olive- communicates with cereballum via olivocerebellar tract when movement deviates from planned movement
- CN nuclei- VII, VIII, IX, X, XI (nucleus ambiguus), XII
Dorsal column- medial lemniscus tract
- discriminative touch, proprioception
- located posterior and medial
- first order neuron- peripheral receptor to medulla. To spinal cord through Lissaur’s tract, ascend in dorsal SC
- fasciculus cuneatus- info from upper trunk and arms (only in thoracic and cervical levels)
- fasciculus gracilis- info from lower trunk and legs
- second order- medulla to thalamus. Synapse in lower medulla at nucleus G or C, decussate and form medial lemniscus to brainstem
- third-order- thalamus to cerebral cortex. Synpase in thalamus at ventrolateral posterior nucleus (VPL), ascend through internal capsule to primary somatosensory cortex
Spinothalamic (anterolateral) tract
- pain and temperature
- first order neuron- peripheral receptor to spinal cord. Enter cord in Lissaur’s tract, synapse in spinal cord
- second order- spinal cord to thalamus. Decussates in anterior white commissure, ascends contralaterally in anterolateral spinal cord
- third order- thalamus to cerebral cortex. Synapse in VPL, ascend through internal capsule to primary somatosensory cortex
Divergent pathways
- slow pain
- spinomesencephalic- turns eyes towards source of pain
- spinoreticular- arousal, withdrawal, autonomic response to pain
- spinolimbic- affective response to pain
Unconscious relay tracts
- sends proprioceptive information to cerebellum for adjusting movements- doesn’t go to cerebrum
- lateral spinal cord
- high-fidelity pathways- posterior spinocereballar, cuneocerebellar pathways
- internal feedback tracts- anterior spinocerebellar, rostral spinocerebellar
Lateral corticospinal tract
- from primary motor cortex, SMA, other frontal and parietal areas
- terminates at spinal gray matter
- decussates at lower medulla and decussation of pyramids (1-2% remains ipsilateral), so it descends contralaterally
- fractionation of movement- activate individual muscles independently of others
Medial corticosoinal tract
- from primary motor cortex, SMA, other frontal and parietal areas
- terminates bilaterally in ventromedial gray of spinal cord
- mostly ipsilateral, small percentage decussate in spinal cord
- neck, shoulder, and trunk muscles- prepares postural system for intended movements
Rubrospinal tract
- from red nucleus of midbrain with inputs from cerebellum and motor cortex
- terminates in ventromedial gray of cervical spinal cord
- contralateral, decussates at midbrain
- extremity muscles (especially wrist extensors), shaping the hand
Lateral reticulospinal tract
- from reticular formation in medulla
- terminates in ventromedial gray of spinal cord
- mostly ipsilateral
- postural control and proximal limb musculature
Medial reticulospinal tract
- from reticular formation in pons
- terminates in ventromedial gray
- ipsilateral
- postural muscles and limb extensors
Lateral vestibulospinal tract
- from lateral vestibular nucleus
- terminates at ventral and intermediate gray
- ipsilateral
- facilitates extensors and inhibits flexors for balance reactions
Medial vestibulospinal tract
- from medial vestibular nucleus
- terminates bilaterally in ventromedial gray in cervical and thoracic spinal cord
- bilateral
- neck and upper back musculature
Tectospinal tract
- from superior colliculus in midbrain
- terminates in ventromedial gray of cervical spinal cord
- contralateral, decussates at midbrain
- turns head toward visual and auditory stimuli
Nonspecific tracts
- ceruleospinal and raphespinal tract
- enhance activity of inter neurons and motor neurons
CN I
- olfactory nerve
- smell
- projects directly to temporal lobe of cortex, bypasses thalamus
- nucleus- olfactory bulb on inferior frontal lobe
CN II
- optic nerve
- vision
- optic nerve projects from each eye to optic chasm, from which optic radiations project to visual cortex
- right visual field to left cortex, vice versa
- nucleus- lateral genticulate nucleus of thalamus
CN III
- oculomotor nerve
- eye movement- superior rectus, medial rectus, inferior rectus, inferior oblique
- raises upper eyelid- levator palpebrae superioris
- constricts pupil- innervation of pupillary sphincter
- pupillary reflex- bilateral constriction
- nucleus- midbrain
CN IV
- trochlear
- innervation of superior oblique muscle (inferior and medial eye movement)
- only cranial nerve to emerge from dorsal brainstem
- nucleus- midbrain
CN V
- Trigeminal nerve
- sensory- facial and TMJ sensation
- motor- muscles of mastication (temporalis, masseter)
- three branches- obthalamic (sensory), maxillary (sensory), mandibular (sensory and motor)
- jaw jerk reflex
- nucleus- midbrain, pons, medulla
CN VI
- abducens nerve
- innervation of lateral rectus
- right abducens nerve palsy- right eye stays medial
- nucleus- pons
CN VII
- facial nerve
- motor- muscles of facial expression and eye closure
- sensory- salivation, taste of anterior 2/3 of tongue
- five branches- temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, cervical
- nucleus- pons, medulla
CN VIII
- vestibulocochlear nerve
- hearing and vestibular function
- vestibular nuclei project to spinal cord, cerebellum, and nuclei of CN III, IV, VI
- nucleus- pons, medulla
CN IX
- glossopharyngeal nerve
- tase of posterior 1/3 of tongue, salivation, swallowing (sensation from soft palate and pharynx)
- gag reflex (sensory portion)
- nucleus- medulla
CN X
- vagus nerve
- speech, swallowing, thoracic and abdominal viscera (especially heart)
- gag reflex, say “ahh” and observe palate deviation (deviate away from affected side)
- motor portion of gag reflex
- nucleus- medulla
CN XI
- accessory nerve
- innervation of SCM and upper trapezius
- nucleus- cervical spinal cord, medulla
CN XII
- hypoglossal nerve
- tongue movement
- tongue protrude towards affected side
- nucleus- medulla
Central regulation of autonomic nervous system
- solitary nucleus- convergence of afforestation information from CN VII, IX, X
- pons and medulla- heart rate, respiration, circulation (vasoconstriction, vasodilation)
- hypothalamus, thalamus, and limbic system- modulate brainstem control
Sympathetic nervous system origin
- pre-ganglionic cell bodies located at spinal levels T1-L2
- synapse at sympathetic chain ganglia
Parasympathetic nervous system origin
- pre-ganglionic cell bodies in brainstem and sacral spinal cord
- synapse near target organs
Anterior cerebral artery
- superior and anterior portions of cerebrum to supply frontal lobes
- damage = judgment, logic, personality, primary motor area (especially LE)
Middle cerebral artery
- portion of frontal lobe and lateral surface of temporal and parietal lobes
- damage = primary motor and sensory areas of the face, UE, speech
Posterior cerebral artery
- portion of temporal and occipital lobe and deep subcortical structures (including thalamus)
- damage = occipital lobe involvement and contralateral visual field deficit
Cerebellum blood supply
- vertebral arteries = PICA, posterior spinal artery
- basilar arteries = superior cerebellar artery, AICA
Midbrain blood supply
-basilar artery- paramedian, short circumferential, long circumferential arteries
Pons blood supply
-basilar artery- paramedian, short circumferential, long circumferential, superior cerebellar, labyrinthine arteries
Medulla blood supply
-vertebral arteries- anterior spinal, posterior spinal, PICA
Glutamate
- serves entire CNS
- excitatory
- modulates synaptic plasticity
- activation of second messenger systems
- most common excitatory NT in CNS
- involved in learning, memory, movement
- excess can cause seizures and migraines
GABA
- entire CNS
- inhibitory
- increases sleepiness
- decreases memory, muscle tension, alertness
- most common inhibitory NT in CNS
- deficit can lead to tremors, seizures, insomnia
Acetylcholine
- skeletal muscles
- autonomic ganglia
- glands, smooth muscle, cardiac muscle
- cerebral cortex
- thalamus, cerebellum, pons, medulla
- excitatory
- muscle contraction, autonomic functions, parasympathetic functions, neuromodulation
- main NT in NMJ
- decreases HR
- increases secretions and muscle contractions
- memory formation
Norepinephrine
- smooth muscle/ cardiac muscle
- entire CNS
- excitatory
- sympathetic functions
- neuromodulation
- flight or fight response
- increases HR, alertness, glucose in blood stream, O2 to muscles and brain
Dopamine
- striatum, prefrontal cortex, limbic cortex, nucleus accumbens, amygdala
- inhibitory or excitatory
- neuromodulation
- involvement in movement, attention, and learning
- deficit may lead to PD
- excess may lead to schizophrenia
Serotonin
- entire CNS
- inhibitory
- neuromodulation
- mood regulation
- appetite, sleep, muscle control
Histamine
- entire brain
- excitatory
- neuromodulation
- increases wakefulness
- increases stomach acid
- decreases hunger
Glycine
- spinal cord, brainstem, and retina
- inhibitory
- inhibitory post-synaptic potential