Basics of Neuroanatomy Flashcards
Lecture 2
ventral (brain)
front/below
dorsal (brain)
back/above
rostral (brain)
towards forehead (front)
caudal (brain)
towards back
horizontal plane
(axial) cuts parallel to the ground
coronal plane
(frontal) like cutting your front/face off
sagittal plane
down longitudinal fissure (that’s the one that cuts your brain into right/left)
What structures make up the CNS?
-brain
-spinal cord
What structures make up the PNS?
-cranial (face) nerves
-spinal nerves
What are the borders of the spinal cord?
medulla oblongata to lumbar region
Is gray matter myelinated?
No!
Is white matter myelinated?
Yes!
What are the four regions (superior to inferior)
-cervical
-thoracic
-lumbar
-sacral
Group of neuronal cell bodies in PNS
ganglion/ganglia
Group of neuronal cell bodies in CNS
nucleus/nuclei
Dermatome
an area of skin supplied by neurons that all arise from a specific spinal segment
Brainstem
-includes midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata
-responsible for basic human requirements (breathing, HR)
Cerebellum
-coordinates voluntary movements
-posture, balance, coordination speech
-sensory info (high neuron count)
-error based learning
Thalamus
-relay station of sensory/motor info
-main part of diencephalon (grey matter)
-regulates consciousness, sleep, alertness
cerebral cortex
-outer layer
-attention, perception, awareness, thought, memory, language, consciouness
How are neurons similar to other cells?
-lipid bilayer membrane
-cell body, nucleus, etc.
How are neurons different from other cells?
-unique morphology
-electrically excitable
What does the phrase “form follows function” mean?
In neurons the more complex the process, the more complex looking the neuron
Where is the cell body of a sensory neuron located?
middle of the neuron
Where is the cell body of a motor neuron located?
in dendrite
Dendrites
receive input
Axons
send outputs
Oligodendrocytes
provide myelination for CNS
Schwann cells
provide myelination for PNS
Astrocytes
metabolic, neuroprotective tasks in CNS
Purpose of glial cells
supportive functions for nervous system; structural, nutritional, immunological, janitorial
Microglia
main immune defense in CNS
