Brain Flashcards
Brain stem
Has 4 regions, involved in arouasal, sleep, muscle tone and stretch reflexes, breathing and blood pressure regulation
Medulla
Has ascending somatosensory tracts and descending corticospinal tracts. Controls cardiovascular and medullary respiratory center. Contains comiting, swallowing, coughing, sneezing and hiccuping
Pons
has nuclei and tracts. Relays information between cerebrum and cerebellum, also helps medulla with breathing
Midbrain
Primary function is eye movement, also relays auditory and visual reflexes. Contains the substantia nigra
Reticular fomation
Small series of nuclei that are connected to eachother, widespread through the brain. Important in consiousness, alertness, attention, and arousal. Filters our unnecessary information. Regulates muscle tone and vital funcitons
Cerebellum
Coordinates movement. Sends feedback signals to the motor cortex of the cerebral cortex. Main are regulating posture and balance.
Diancephalon
Between brain stem and cerebrum. Has thalamus, hypothalamus and pineal and pituitary gland.
Thalamus
Recieves sensory info and relays it to relevent sensory areas in cortex. Relays information between cerebellum and motor areas in cortex
Pineal gland
Releases melatonin
Hypothalamus
Center of homeostasis.
Influences autonomic and endocrine funciton
Cerebrum
Contains tracts (WM)
Cerebral cortex, basal, ganglia, and limbic system (GM)
Basal ganglia
Made up of globus pallidus, putamen, caudate nucleus. Major job is initiating and temrinating movement. Relays information between Cerebral cortex and motor regions of the cortex.
Limbic system
Cingulate gyrus, amygdala, hippocampus. Plays a primary role in emotion (pain, arousal, dolicity, affection, anger). Plays a role in learning and memory.
