Brain

Question 1

What is Grey matter made of?

Answer 1

Neuronal cell bodies,
Dendrites,
Un-Myelinated axon,
axon terminals,
neuroglia.

Question 2

What is White matter made of?

Answer 2

Primarily myelinated axons.

Question 3

What is the distribution of White & Grey matter in the Brain?

Answer 3

Grey is located on the outside, White is located on the inside.
OPPOSITE is true for the Spinal cord.

Question 4

What is the Foramen magnum?

Answer 4

The opening in the skull.

Question 5

What are Meninges?

Answer 5

3 protective layers which surround the brain.

Question 6

What are the 3 Meninges? (in order)

Answer 6

Dura mater,
Arachnoid mater,
Pia mater.

Question 7

What are 3 functions of Cerebrospinal fluid?

Answer 7

Mechanical protection
-Cushions brain and spinal cord
Circulation
-Exchange of nutrients and waste
Homeostatic function
-Circulates hormones

Question 8

How is CSF formed?

Answer 8

Mainly by filtration of blood in the Choroid plexus - located in the ventricles of the brain which are lined with Ependymal cells.

Question 9

What are the TWO main cerebral arteries?

Answer 9

Vertebral artery,
Internal carotid artery.

Question 10

What is the Blood Brain Barrier?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

What are the FOUR major areas of the brain?

Answer 11

Brainstem,
Cerebellum,
Diencephalon,
Cerebrum.

Question 12

What are the THREE sub-divisions of the Brainstem?

Answer 12

Midbrain,
Pons,
Medulla oblongata.

Question 13

What are the FOUR sub-divisions of the Diencephalon?

Answer 13

Epithalamus,
Thalamus,
Hypothalamus,
Limbic system.

Question 14

What is one of the most important functions of the Brainstem?

Answer 14

Makes up the Reticular activating system (RAS) which is vital to maintain consciousness.

Question 15

What are the FOUR lobes of the brain?

Answer 15

Frontal,
Temporal,
Parietal,
Occipital.

Question 16

What does the Frontal lobe contain?

Answer 16

Premotor area,
Primary motor area,
Broca’s speech area,
Anterior association area.

Question 17

What does the Parietal lobe contain?

Answer 17

Primary somatosensory area,
Somatosensory area.

Question 18

What does the Temporal lobe contain?

Answer 18

Primary auditory area,
Auditory association area,
Wernick’s area.

Question 19

What does the Occipital lobe contain?

Answer 19

Primary visual area,
Visual association area.

Question 20

What does the term “Hemispheric lateralisation” mean?

Answer 20

The functional asymmetry of each hemisphere in the brain.

Question 21

What is the Basal ganglia/nuclei?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What is the function of the Epithalamus?

Answer 22

Connects the Limbic system to other areas of the brain.

Question 23

What is the function of the Hypothalamus?

Answer 23

Controls functions that keep the body in Homeostasis by directly influencing the autonomic nervous system.

Question 24

What is the function of the Thalamus?

Answer 24

The body’s information relay centre, all sensory information (except smell) passes through the Thalamus before passing to the cerebral cortex.

Question 25

What is the Cerebral cortex?

Answer 25

The outer layer of the brains surface; includes the lobes that carry out functions such as thinking and sensory function.

Question 26

What is the function of the Cerebellum?

Answer 26

Coordinates skilled movement and movement of skeletal muscle. Regulates posture and balance.

Question 27

What is the function of the Diencephalon?

Answer 27

Coordinates with the Endocrine system to release hormones and relay sensory information to the cerebral cortex.