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Neuropsychology > Brain Organisation > Flashcards

Brain Organisation Flashcards

1
Q

What is Cognition?

A

Mental processes (or thought processes).

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2
Q

What do Cognitive Psychologists study?

A

The mental processes by which knowledge is acquired and processed (e.g. sensory perception and memory).

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3
Q

What is Neuropsychology?

A

The integration of neurological observations of brain damage and psychological observations of behaviour and cognition.

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4
Q

What do Neuropsychologists study?

A

The impact of brain damage on behaviour and cognition.

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5
Q

Name the two main components of the Central Nervous System

A

The brain and spinal cord

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6
Q

The spinal cord is housed in the…

A

Spinal column

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7
Q

Describe how sensory information enters the central nervous system.

A

Sensory information enters the CNS via the dorsal portion of the spinal cord; motor commands exit the CNS via the ventral portion of the spinal cord.

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8
Q

Name the two main components which protect the Central Nervous System.

A
  1. Skull

2. Meninges

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9
Q

What are the three layers of the meninges?

A
  • Dura Mater
  • Arachnoid Membrane (contains cerebrospinal fluid)
  • Pia Mater (adheres closely to the brain surface)
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10
Q 
Translate the following terms of orientation into the correct terms for above the midbrain:
Anterior
Posterior
Superior
Inferior
A 
Anterior = Rostral
Posterior = caudal
Superior = Dorsal
Inferior = Ventral
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11
Q 
What do the following terms indicate?
Lateral
Medial
Ipsilateral
Contralateral
A 
Lateral = toward the side
Medial = toward the midline
Ipsilateral = on the same side
Contralateral = on the opposite side
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12
Q

Explain how orientation terms change at the midbrain-diencephalic junction.

A

Above the midbrain Anterior/Rostral means ‘towards the nose’, while below Rostral indicates towards the top.
Above the midbrain Inferior/Ventral indicates downwards, while below Ventral indicates forwards.
Above the midbrain Posterior/Caudal indicates toward the back, while below Caudal indicates downwards.
Above the midbrain Superior/Dorsal indicates upwards, while below Dorsal indicates toward the back.

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13
Q

Describe the following terms for brain slices:
Sagittal
Horizontal
Coronal

A

A sagittal brain slice is cut front-to-back.
Horizontal is how it sounds, across the brain.
A coronal slice is a cut across the brain from side-to-side.

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14
Q

How would you cut a coronal brain slice?

A

I would cut across the brain e.g. right to left, so that I could view the brain slice from the front or back.

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15
Q

How would you cut a sagittal brain slice?

A

I would cut the brain from front to back, so that I could view the brain slice from either side.

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16
Q

The two types of cells that make up the brain are…

A
  1. Nerve cells (aka neurons)

2. Glial cells (aka neuroglia)

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17
Q

What is the function of nerve cells?

A

Communication via electrical and chemical signals.

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18
Q

Describe the structure of a nerve cell.

A 
Cell body (aka soma) = metabolic centre of the neuron
Dendrites = treelike structures that receive input (postsynaptic)
Axon = tubular process extending up to one meter, the main conducting unit of the neuron
Presynaptic terminals = fine branches at the end of the axon, transmit information to other neurons
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19
Q

A synapse consists of 3 components, these are;

A
  1. A presynaptic ending that contains neurotransmitters
  2. A synaptic cleft or space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic endings
  3. A postsynaptic ending that contains receptor sites for neurotransmitter
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20
Q

How is blood supplied to the brain?

A

Blood is supplied to the brain via two major sets of vessels:
Carotid arteries
Vertebral arteries

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21
Q

Which major set of arteries supplies blood to the anterior and middle cerebral arteries?

A

The carotid arteries

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22
Q

Which set of major arteries supplies the posterior cerebral arteries?

A

The vertebral arteries

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23
Q

What separates the left and right hemispheres?

A

The longitudinal fissure

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24
Q

The cortex is divided into four lobes, these are…

A

Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe

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25
Q

What is the Corpus Callosum? Which cut would you make to visualise the c-shape of CC?

A

The main fibre tract connecting the two cerebral hemispheres. I would make a sagittal cut.

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26
Q

What is the correct terminology for the ridges and fissures on the cortex?

A

Gyri (ridges) and sulci (fissures)

27
Q

What is CSF?

A

Cerebrospinal Fluid = liquid surrounding the brain; provides both protection and metabolic needs.

28
Q

What is grey matter vs. white matter?

A

White matter is made up of axons which are myelinated (white).
Grey matter consists of cell bodies.

29
Q

Which are the three main sulci and what do they separate?

A
  1. Longitudinal sulcus; separates the two hemispheres
  2. Lateral sulcus; separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes
  3. Central sulcus; separates the frontal and parietal lobes
30
Q

Describe the major sulci within the frontal lobe.

A

The superior sulcus sits above the inferior sulcus, in a front-to-back direction.

31
Q

Describe the major sulci within the temporal lobe.

A

The superior sulcus sits above the inferior sulcus, in a front-to-back direction.

32
Q

Which sulci sit on either side of the central sulcus?

A

The precentral (toward the front) and postcentral (behind) sulci.

33
Q

Describe the three major gyri within the frontal lobe.

A

(working from the top to bottom) Superior, middle and inferior gyri; these run from front-to-back.

34
Q

Which two major gyri run on either side of the central sulcus?

A

The precentral (in front) and postcentral (behind) gyri.

35
Q

Describe the three major gyri within the temporal lobe.

A

(working from the top to bottom) Superior, middle and inferior gyri; these run from front-to-back.

36
Q

What are the genu and splenium?

A

Both are parts of the Corpus Callosum.
The genu is the anterior portion, mainly connecting the frontal lobe.
The splenium is the thickest and most posterior portion. It consists of numerous axonal fibers that mainly connect both temporal, posterior parietal, and occipital cortices.

37
Q

What is the Insula Cortex?

A

In each hemisphere of the mammalian brain, the insular cortex is a portion of the cerebral cortex folded deep within the lateral sulcus.

38
Q

How would you find the insula cortex?

A

By removing the cortex around the lateral sulcus.

39
Q

What are the functions of the cerebellum?

A

The cerebellum receives information from the sensory systems, the spinal cord, and other parts of the brain and then regulates motor movements. The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements such as posture, balance, coordination, and speech, resulting in smooth and balanced muscular activity.

40
Q

Is the thalamus a cortical or subcortical structure?

A

The Thalamus is a subcortical structure, each hemisphere contains a thalamus.

41
Q

Name the major structures of the basal ganglia.

A
  • Caudate nucleus
  • Putamen
  • Globus pallidus
  • Subthalamic nucleus
  • Substantia nigra
42
Q

Name the major brain stem structures.

A
  1. Midbrain
    Made up of the superior and inferior colliculi.
  2. Pons
  3. Medulla
43
Q

Generally speaking, what is the ventricular system?

A

Inter-connected cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

44
Q

Name the four major divisions of the ventricular system.

A
  1. Lateral ventricles
  2. IIIrd ventricle
  3. Cerebral aqueduct
  4. IVth ventricle
45
Q

Describe the ventricular system.

A

There are two lateral ventricles (left and right), a third ventricle close to the centre of the brain and a fourth ventricle which extends deep to the cerebellum.

46
Q

Describe the lateral ventricles.

A

There are two lateral ventricles, one in each hemisphere, they are roughly c-shaped with a central body and three horns projecting into the lobes of the brain. These three horns are the anterior, posterior and inferior horns.

47
Q

What is the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle?

A

The extension of the lateral ventricle into the frontal lobe.

48
Q

Where is the third ventricle located?

A

In the diencephalon of the brain.

49
Q

What is the cerebral aqueduct?

A

Part of the ventricular system which connects the third and fourth ventricles.

50
Q

Where does the fourth ventricle lie?

A

Behind the pons and medulla, and in front of the cerebellum.

51
Q

What is Brodmann’s map?

A

A map of the cerebral cortex, areas are defined by cytoarchitecture (the microscopic appearance of the cortex).

52
Q

What are the major functions of the brain stem?

A

Life-sustaining functions (heartbeat, breathing, arousal and alertness).
Connects the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum and spinal cord.
It is also the site of origin of most cranial nerves.

53
Q

Part of the brainstem is called the midbrain; how do the inferior and superior colliculi fit into this structure and what are their functions?

A

On the posterior aspect of the midbrain there is the tectum (plate-like structure with four rounded swellings). The tectum can then be divided into the superior colliculus and the inferior colliculus.
The superior colliculi are the top two ‘swellings’ are responsible for visuomotor functions ( relay station for visual reflexes).
The inferior colliculi are the bottom two ‘swellings’, and the central relay station for auditory stimuli.

54
Q

Name the 3 main brain stem structures.

A

Midbrain
Pons
Medulla

55
Q

What does the spinal cord do?

A

Conduct the final motor signals to the muscles and receives sensory information which is relayed to the brain.
it also contains reflex pathways.

56
Q

Where is the primary motor cortex?

A

In the frontal lobe, in the precentral gyrus.

57
Q

Where is the primary somatosensory cortex?

A

In the parietal lobe, in the postcentral gyrus

58
Q

Where is the primary visual cortex?

A

In the occipital lobe.

59
Q

Where is the primary auditory cortex?

A

In the temporal lobe.

60
Q

What is a homunculus and describe the two examples.

A

Homunculus means ‘little man’; it maps the organisation of outputs and inputs.
Motor homunculus: maps the organisation of outputs from the PMC
Sensory homunculus: maps out the organisation of inputs to PSC

61
Q

Explain the difference between the Primary Motor Cortex and the Primary Somatosensory Cortex.

A

PMC: Outputs motor commands. Contains motor neurons whose axons extend down the spinal cord and synapse on neurons that innervate your muscles.
PSC: Receives input about somatosensation (relayed through the thalamus).

62
Q

Briefly explain the function of the Primary Visual Cortex, and describe where it is.

A

Receives visual inputs (relayed through the thalamus).

Located primarily on the medial surface of the occipital lobe and buried within the calcarine fissure.

63
Q

Briefly explain the function of the Primary Auditory Cortex, and describe where it is.

A

Receives auditory inputs (relayed through thalamus).

Located in the superior part of the temporal lobe and buried within the lateral sulcus.

64
Q

How would you view the insula cortex?

A

Cutaway cerebral cortex around the lateral sulcus.

Neuropsychology (15 decks)

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