Brain Anatomy Flashcards
What does ‘Anterior’ mean?
Toward the front of the body or brain.
What does ‘Rostral’ mean?
Toward the nose or front end of the body.
What does ‘Posterior’ mean?
Toward the back of the body or brain.
What does ‘Caudal’ mean?
Toward the tail or rear end of the body.
What does ‘Dorsal’ mean?
Toward the back or upper side of the body or brain.
What does ‘Ventral’ mean?
Toward the belly or lower side of the body or brain.
What is ‘Midline’?
An imaginary line dividing the body into left and right halves.
What does ‘Medial’ mean?
Closer to the midline of the body.
What does ‘Lateral’ mean?
Farther from the midline of the body.
What does ‘Ipsilateral’ mean?
On the same side of the body.
What does ‘Contralateral’ mean?
On the opposite side of the body.
What is the ‘Midsagittal plane’?
A vertical plane that divides the body or brain into equal left and right halves.
What is the ‘Sagittal plane’?
A vertical plane that divides the body or brain into left and right portions.
What is the ‘Horizontal plane’?
A plane that divides the body or brain into upper and lower parts.
What is the ‘Coronal plane’?
A plane that divides the body or brain into front and back portions.
What is the ‘Central nervous system (CNS)’?
The brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and coordinating information.
What is the ‘Brain’?
The organ within the skull that controls thoughts, emotions, and bodily functions.
What is the ‘Spinal cord’?
The part of the CNS that transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
What is the ‘Cerebrum’?
The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher brain functions like thinking and voluntary movement.
What are ‘Cerebral hemispheres’?
The two halves of the cerebrum, each controlling the opposite side of the body.
What is the ‘Cerebellum’?
A brain structure involved in coordination, balance, and motor learning.
What is the ‘Brain stem’?
The part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions.
What is the ‘Peripheral nervous system (PNS)’?
The network of nerves outside the CNS that connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
What is the ‘Somatic PNS’?
The part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information.
What is the ‘Autonomic nervous system (ANS)’?
The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate and digestion.
What does ‘Afferent’ mean?
Carrying signals toward the CNS.
What does ‘Efferent’ mean?
Carrying signals away from the CNS to muscles or glands.
What are ‘Meninges’?
Protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
What is ‘Dura mater’?
The tough outermost layer of the meninges.
What is the ‘Arachnoid membrane’?
The middle layer of the meninges with a web-like structure.
What is ‘Pia mater’?
The delicate inner layer of the meninges that closely covers the brain and spinal cord.
What is ‘Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)’?
A clear fluid that cushions and nourishes the brain and spinal cord.
What is the ‘Ventricular system’?
A series of interconnected cavities in the brain filled with CSF.
What is ‘Gray matter’?
Brain and spinal cord tissue containing neuron cell bodies and synapses.
What is the ‘Cortex’?
The outer layer of the brain, involved in complex functions like perception and reasoning.
What is a ‘Nucleus’?
A cluster of neuron cell bodies within the CNS.
What is ‘White matter’?
Brain and spinal cord tissue made up of myelinated axons.
What is a ‘Tract’?
A bundle of axons in the CNS that transmits information.
What is the ‘Neural tube’?
The embryonic structure that develops into the CNS.
What is the ‘Neural crest’?
A group of embryonic cells that develop into the PNS and other structures.
What is the ‘Forebrain’?
The anterior part of the brain that includes the cerebrum and diencephalon.
What is the ‘Midbrain’?
The central part of the brainstem involved in sensory and motor processing.
What is the ‘Hindbrain’?
The posterior part of the brain that includes the cerebellum, pons, and medulla.
What is the ‘Thalamus’?
A relay center in the brain that processes sensory information.
What is the ‘Hypothalamus’?
A brain region that regulates hormones and autonomic functions.
What is the ‘Cerebral cortex’?
The outer layer of the cerebrum responsible for higher brain functions.
What is the ‘Corpus callosum’?
A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.
What is the ‘Tectum’?
A region of the midbrain involved in visual and auditory reflexes.
What is the ‘Tegmentum’?
A part of the midbrain involved in movement and arousal.
What is the ‘Pons’?
A brainstem structure involved in motor control and sensory processing.
What is the ‘Medulla oblongata’?
The lowest part of the brainstem that controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate.
What is the ‘Spinal canal’?
The central cavity of the spinal cord containing CSF.
What is a ‘Sulcus’?
A groove in the brain’s surface.
What is a ‘Gyrus’?
A ridge on the brain’s surface.
What is the ‘Temporal lobe’?
A brain region involved in hearing, memory, and language.
What is the ‘Frontal lobe’?
A brain region involved in decision-making, movement, and personality.
What is the ‘Central sulcus’?
A groove that separates the frontal and parietal lobes.
What is the ‘Parietal lobe’?
A brain region involved in processing sensory information.
What is the ‘Occipital lobe’?
A brain region involved in visual processing.
What is the ‘Hippocampus’?
A brain structure important for memory formation.
