Brain Flashcards
Parts of the cerebellum
Grey matter -
cerebellar cortex and cerebellar nuclei - involuntary control of body movement
White Matter-
Arbor vitae -cerebellar cortex/nuclei to peduncles
Cerebellar peduncles
Superior -cerebellum to the midbrain
Middle -communicate cerebellum and pons
Inferior - cerebellum with the medulla (pg 480)
Components of the brainstem
Diencephalon
Thalmus (sensory and
Hypothalamus (emotions, autonomic fx, and hormone production)
Midbrain - visual and auditory, reflexive somatic, consciousness
Pons- sensory info to cerebellum and thalamus
Medulla Oblongata - sensory to thalamus/brainstem; autonomic visceral function (pg.467)
The location of the subarachnoid space
between dura mater and pia mater (pg.470)
Function of the medulla oblongata
Most inferior in brainstem
Olivary Complex- info to red nucleus, midbrain and cerebral cortex
Reflex Center
Cardio - heart rate and force of contraction
Respiratory - Basic pace
Gracile/Cuneate Nucleus - somatic info to thalamus
Nuclei Centers - (part of nerve VIII, IX, X, part of XI, XII)
Reticular formation - vital autonomic function (from the pons to midbrain) pg.476
The function of the cerebral cortex
Frontal Lobe - primary motor (voluntary skeletal muscle control)
Parietal Lobe- Primary Somatosensory Cortex (touch, pressure, pain, taste, temperature)
Occipital - Visual cortex
Temporal - Auditory and Olfactory (hearing and smell)
*All areas process and sensory data and start of motor function) pg. 490
Components of white matter in spinal cord
Large # myelinated /unmyelinated axons (pg.462)
Cerebrum specialization
LARGEST brain region
motor, sensory(and association areas) higher mental function pg.486
Types of aphasia
aphasia - inability to speak or read
Global aphasia - more extensive damage to language areas or associated areas
Dyslexia - trouble with comprehension of written words (pg.493)
Fx of the reticular formation
Mass of grey and white matter; controls autonomic, endocrine, body posture, skeletomuscular activity, alertness, and sleep (pg.474)
Incoming sensations and outgoing motor commands (pg.477)
Function of the basal nuclei
subconscious control of muscle tone and learned movement (pg.478)
Name of tracts for voluntary movement
Corticobulbar, Lateral/Anterior Coritcospinal (pg.531)
Function of visual association area
Occipital Lobe (pg.491-492)
Monitors activity in visual cortex
Function of prefrontal cortex
Coordinates info for the cortical association areas (abstract intellectual functions- intense feeling center i.e. anxiety, frustration) pg. 492
What can and cannot permeate the blood-brain barrier (BBB)
Separates nerve tissue from general circulation
CAN: lipid-soluble compounds (CO2, O2, Ammonia, lipids, steroids, prostaglandins, small alcohols)
CAN NOT: water and ions, larger water-soluble compounds (pg.473)
Structures that make up the limbic system
Gyri (superficial folds):
Cingulate - superior portion, above corpus callosum
Dentate - posterior, surrounds Hippocampus
Parahippocampal - inferior portion,
Hippocampus- inside dentate
Diencephalic
Thalmus-anterior nuclei
Hypothalamus - mammillary body
Components of normal CSF
Amino acids, lipids, and waste (varies due to free exchange between interstitial fluid of the brain and CSF) pg. 471
Function of CSF
> Support the brain
Cushioning against trauma
Transporting nutrients, chemical messengers, and waste
Function of the hypothalamus
Emotions and visceral autonomic functions of the cerebrum and brain stem
- Function of the pons
Sensory info from cerebellum and thalamus (pg.467)
Sensory/motor nuclei for cranial nerves: (pg. 477)
V(trigeminal),VI(abducens),VII(facial),VIII(vestibulocochlear - shared with medulla)
Components of the midbrain
Tectum - the roof of midbrain
Superior Colliculi
Inferior Colliculi
Substantia Nigra
Red nucleus
Reticular Formation
Cranial nerves III and IV (pg. 479)
Peduncles - connects primary motor cortex with brain and spinal motor neurons; carries sensory info to the thalamus
Location of primary auditory cortex
temporal lobe (pg.604)
The function of the frontal association area
Sensory Association Area - interpret information from various areas of the cortex
Somatosensory association - monitors primary (light touch)
Visual association -patterns and activity (c.a.r.= car)
Auditory association = word recognition (hearing)
Premotor/Somatic motor association: learned movement (pg.492)
Components of the diencephalon
Thalamus - relays/interprets sensory info
Hypothalamus - emotions, autonomic function, hormones (pg.467)
Function of the cerebellum
Complex somatic motor patterns
Location of premotor area for speech (
Left Cerebral Hemisphere
Wernicke’s area - near auditory complex (language comprehension)
Broca’s area - near motor cortex, speech production
