Brain & Brain stem Flashcards
4 major regions of the brain
- brainstem
- cerebellum
- diencephalon
- cerebrum
connects the spinal cord to the remainder of the brain, consists of medulla oblongata, pons and midbrain
brainstem
most inferior portion of the brainstem and is continuous with the spinal chord, specific functions:
- regulation of heart rate
- blood vessel diameter
- breathing, swallowing, vomiting, coughing, etc.
medulla oblongata
two prominent enlargements on the anterior surface that extends the medulla oblongata
pyramids
immediately superior to the medulla oblongata, functional bridge between cerebrum & cerebellum functions such as chewing and salivation
pons
superior to the pons, the smallest region of the brainstem
midbrain
dorsal part of the midbrain consists of four monds called the _______
colliculi
a black nuclear mass contain in the midbrain
substantia nigra
scattered throughout the brainstem is a group of nuclei collection called ________
reticular formation
attached through the brainstem by several large connections called cerebral peduncles involved in maintaining balance, muscle tone and coordinating fine motor movement
cerebellum
part of the brain between the brainstem and the cerebrum, consist of thalamus, epithalamus and hypothalamus
diencephalon
largest part of diencephalon, shaped like a yo-o
thalamus
small area superior and posterior to the thalamus
epithalamus
endocrine gland that may influence the onset of puberty
pineal gland
most inferior part of the diencephalon, role:
- control body temperature
- hunger & thirst, sensations
hypothalamus
extends from the floor of the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland
infundibilum
largest part of the brain
cerebrum
divides the cerebrum into left & right hemispheres
longitudinal fissures
numerous folds on the surface of hemisphere
gyri
intervening grooves
sulci
in the control of voluntary motor functions, olfactory reception (smell)
frontal lobe
sensory information
parietal lobe
separates the frontal and parietal lobes
central sulcus
visual input
occipital lobe
olfactory (smell), auditory (hearing) sensations and memory
temporal lobe
separates the temporal lobe from the rest of the cerebrum
lateral fissures
deep within the fissure is the ______often referred to as the 5th lobe
insula
gray matter on outer surface of cerebrum
cerebral cortex
white matter of the brain between the cortex & and nuclei
cerebral medulla
connect areas of cerebral cortex within the same hemisphere
association fibers
connect one cerebral hemisphere to the other hemisphere
commisural fibers
largest bundle of commisural fibers
corpus callosum
connect the cerebrum to the other parts of the brain and spinal chord
projection fibers
3 stages of memory:
- working memory -secs to mins
- short-term memory -longer than working , mins to few days
- long-term memory -consolidation, new and stronger synaptic connection
retention of facts emotions and mood
declarative memory
development of motor skills
procedural memory
memory traces
memory engrams
ascend to the head along the anterior lateral part of neck
internal carotid arteries
ascend along the posterior part of the neck , enter through foramen magnum
vertebral arteries
formed by vertebral arteries , lies on the ventral surface of pons
basilar artery
formed by basilar artery & internal carotid arteries
cerebral arterial circle (circle of Willis)
surround and protect the brain
meninges
most superficial and thickest of the meninges
dura mater
bleeding/damage to the vains crossing cerebral cortex & dural venous sinuses
subdural hematoma
space between dura mater & the vertebrae
epidural space
2nd meningeal membrane, very thin, wispy
arachnoid mater
space between dura & arachnoid mater
subdural space
3rd meningeal membrane, tightly bound to surface of brain & spinal cord
pia mater
between the arachnoid & pia mater, contains small amount of serous fluid
subarachnoid space
fluid-filled cavities in the CNS
ventricles
large cavity in the cerebral hemisphere
lateral ventricles
smaller, midline cavity located in the center of diencephalon between 2 halves of thalamus & connected by foramina to lateral ventricles
third ventricle
located at the base of the cerebellum & connected to the 3rd ventricle by a narrow canal called cerebral aqueduct
fourth ventricle
bathes the brain and spinal cord, protective cushion around the CNS
cerebrospinal fluid
produce the CSF; specialized ependymal cells and are located in the ventricles
choroid plexuses
Flow of CSF:
CSF flow–lateral ventricles–3rd ventricles–cerebral aqueduct–4th ventricle
condition where there is blockage of the openings in the 4th ventricle/cerebral aqueduct & causes CSF to accumulate in the ventricles
hydrocephalus
transmit and relay information to the brain analogues to the spinal nerves
cranial nerves
functions of cranial nerves:
- sensory -special senses, vision touch and pain
- somatic motor -control of skeletal muscles through motor neurons. Proprioception -awareness of position of various body parts
- parasympathetic -regulation of glands, smooth muscles, cardiac muscles
smell
olfactory
vision
optic
motor to 4 of 6 eye muscles & upper eyelid; constricts pupils and thickens lens
oculomotor
motor to 1 extrinsic eye muscle
trochlear
sensory to face & teeth, mastication
trigeminal
motor to 1 extrinsic eye muscle
abducens
motors to muscles of facial expression,
facial
hearing & balance
vestibulocochlear
taste and touch to back of tongue, pharyngeal muscles
glossopharyngeal
sensory to pharynx, larynx, viscera
vagus
motor to 2 neck & upper back muscle
accessory
motor to tongue muscles
hypoglossal
