Brain Flashcards
What is Grey matter made of?
Neuronal cell bodies,
Dendrites,
Un-Myelinated axon,
axon terminals,
neuroglia.
What is White matter made of?
Primarily myelinated axons.
What is the distribution of White & Grey matter in the Brain?
Grey is located on the outside, White is located on the inside.
OPPOSITE is true for the Spinal cord.
What is the Foramen magnum?
The opening in the skull.
What are Meninges?
3 protective layers which surround the brain.
What are the 3 Meninges? (in order)
Dura mater,
Arachnoid mater,
Pia mater.
What are 3 functions of Cerebrospinal fluid?
Mechanical protection
-Cushions brain and spinal cord
Circulation
-Exchange of nutrients and waste
Homeostatic function
-Circulates hormones
How is CSF formed?
Mainly by filtration of blood in the Choroid plexus - located in the ventricles of the brain which are lined with Ependymal cells.
What are the TWO main cerebral arteries?
Vertebral artery,
Internal carotid artery.
What is the Blood Brain Barrier?
A highly selective barrier which protects the brain from pathogens - composed of the LEAST permeable capillaries in the body. However is water and lipid soluble.
What are the FOUR major areas of the brain?
Brainstem,
Cerebellum,
Diencephalon,
Cerebrum.
What are the THREE sub-divisions of the Brainstem?
Midbrain,
Pons,
Medulla oblongata.
What are the FOUR sub-divisions of the Diencephalon?
Epithalamus,
Thalamus,
Hypothalamus,
Limbic system.
What is one of the most important functions of the Brainstem?
Makes up the Reticular activating system (RAS) which is vital to maintain consciousness.
What are the FOUR lobes of the brain?
Frontal,
Temporal,
Parietal,
Occipital.
What does the Frontal lobe contain?
Premotor area,
Primary motor area,
Broca’s speech area,
Anterior association area.
What does the Parietal lobe contain?
Primary somatosensory area,
Somatosensory area.
What does the Temporal lobe contain?
Primary auditory area,
Auditory association area,
Wernick’s area.
What does the Occipital lobe contain?
Primary visual area,
Visual association area.
What does the term “Hemispheric lateralisation” mean?
The functional asymmetry of each hemisphere in the brain.
What is the Basal ganglia/nuclei?
A group of subcortical structures deep within the brain - located above the midbrain.
-Play a crucial role in motor control and fine adjustments.
-Utilise inhibitory neurotransmitters.
What is the function of the Epithalamus?
Connects the Limbic system to other areas of the brain.
What is the function of the Hypothalamus?
Controls functions that keep the body in Homeostasis by directly influencing the autonomic nervous system.
What is the function of the Thalamus?
The body’s information relay centre, all sensory information (except smell) passes through the Thalamus before passing to the cerebral cortex.
What is the Cerebral cortex?
The outer layer of the brains surface; includes the lobes that carry out functions such as thinking and sensory function.
What is the function of the Cerebellum?
Coordinates skilled movement and movement of skeletal muscle.
Regulates posture and balance.
What is the function of the Diencephalon?
Coordinates with the Endocrine system to release hormones and relay sensory information to the cerebral cortex.
