Brain & Cranial Nerves Flashcards
– consists of its major regions which are the brainstem, the cerebellum,
the diencephalon, and the cerebrum.
Brain
– connects the spinal cord to the remainder of brain
Brainstem
Thalamus
Epithalamus
Hypothalamus
Diencephalon
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla oblongata
Brainstem
Location:
inferior portion; continuous with spinal cord
Features:
Pyramids – two enlargement at uppermost part (anterior); involved in
conscious control of skeletal muscle
Functions:
regulates heart rate, blood vessel diameter, breathing, swallowing, vomiting, hiccupping, coughing,
sneezing, balance
Medulla oblongata
Location:
superior to medulla oblongata
Features:
Arched Footbridge – anterior surface;
aids in assisting functions of medulla
oblongata
Functions:
serves as functional footbridge between cerebrum & cerebellum, breathing,
swallowing, balance, chewing, salivation
Pons
Location:
smallest region;
superior to the pons
Features:
Superior Colliculi – 2 mounds;
involved in visual reflexes & receive
touch & auditory input Inferior
Colliculi – major relay centers for
auditory nerve pathways in CNS
Substantia Nigra – black nuclear mass
that is involved in regulating general
body movements
Functions:
coordinated eye movements, controlling pupil diameter, lens shape
Midbrain
a group of nuclei scattered throughout the brainstem
Function: regulates cyclical motor function (respiration, walking, chewing)
This is a major component of the Reticular Activating System, which plays an important role in arousing and maintaining consciousness, and in
regulating sleep-wake cycle
Reticular formation
Attached to brainstem by several large connections called cerebellar
peduncles; known as “little brain”
Cerebellum
Structure: Cortex is composed of gray matter, gyri, and sulci; internally
contains gray nuclei & white nerve tracts
Cerebellum
Functions: Maintaining balance & muscle tone, coordination of fine motor
movements, learning motor skills
cerebellum
CEREBELLUM
___ – a major function which serves as a sensing device that compares the data from two sources – motor cortex & peripheral structures
Comparator
– innervated in joints, tendons, and muscles that provide information
about the position of the body; send action potentials to cerebellum
Proprioceptive Neurons
located at the surface of cerebrum that is composed of gray matter
Functions: controls thinking, communicating, remembering,
understanding, & initiates involuntary movements
Cerebral Cortex
Prominent features of cerebral cortex
– folds on cerebral cortex that greatly increase the surface area
Gyri
Prominent features of cerebral cortex
– intervening grooves; shallow indentations
Sulci
separates the frontal and parietal lobes
o Central Sulcus
separates most of the temporal lobe from the rest of cerebrum
Lateral Fissure
largest part consists of cluster of nuclei shaped like a yo-yo
Thalamus
THALAMUS
centrally connect the two large, lateral parts influences moods & detects pain
(unlocalized)
Interthalamic Adhesion
influences moods & detects pain
(unlocalized)
Thalamus
small area superior & posterior to thalamus consists of few small nuclei
Epithalamus
Epithalamus
an endocrine gland that influences the onset of puberty & controlling some long-term cycles that are influenced by
the light-dark cycle
Pineal Gland
emotional & visceral response to odors
Epithalamus
most inferior part; below thalamus
contains several small nuclei
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
– a funnel-shaped stalk that extends from the floor of hypothalamus to
pituitary gland
Infundibulum
Hypothalamus
– visible swelling on posterior part of hypothalamus that are involved in emotional responses to odors and
memory
Mammillary Bodies
plays a central role in maintaining
homeostasis, control of body
temperature, hunger, thirst, sexual
pleasures, rage, fear, relaxation
after meal, control the secretion of
hormone from pituitary gland
Hypothalamus
largest part of the brain which is divided into right & left hemisphere by
longitudinal fissure
Cerebrum
(Lobe)
Vital in control of voluntary motor functions, motivation, aggression,
mood, & olfactory reception
Frontal lobe
(Lobe)
principal center for receiving & consciously perceiving most sensory
information such as touch, pain, temperature, and balance
Parietal Lobe
(Lobe)
functions in receiving and perceiving visual input
Occipital Lobe
(Lobe)
Involved in olfactory & auditory sensations; plays an important role
in memory
Psychic Cortex: anterior & inferior portion of temporal lobe associated with abstract thought & judgment
Temporal Lobe
Deep within the lateral fissure; it processes interoception – the
sensory information on physiologic condition of body (heartbeat & blood pressure regulation & gastric motility)
Insula / Fifth Lobe
What are the cranial nerves
Olfactory
Optic
Oculomotor
Trochlear
Trigeminal
Abducens
Facial
Vestibulocochlear
Glossopharyngeal
Vagus
Accessory
Hypoglossal
Olfaction (sense of smell)
Olfactory
Vision
Optic
Controls upper eyelid muscles; controls superior rectus, medial rectus, inferior rectus, and inferior oblique muscles of the eye; controls ciliary muscle of the eye and sphincter in the iris
Oculomotor
Controls superior oblique muscle of the eye
Trochlear
Controls chewing movements
Ophthalmic branch: sensation around the eye
___ branch: sensation from eye to upper jaw and throat
___ branch: sensation in mandibular region
Trigeminal
Maxillary
Mandibular
Controls lateral rectus muscle of the eye
Abducens
Controls facial muscles; controls secretion of tears and saliva; taste (anterior two-thirds of tongue)
Facial
Vestibular branch: sense of equilibrium
Cochlear branch: hearing
Vestibulocochlear
Controls salivation; controls swallowing muscles; taste (posterior third of tongue); blood pressure sensation
Glossopharyngeal
Controls swallowing muscles; control and sensation in various visceral effectors and receptors
Vagus
Controls some head, neck, and shoulder movements
Accessory
Controls tongue muscles (swallowing and speech)
Hypoglossal
