Brain Regions/Functions - Hindbrain, Midbrain, Subcortical Forebrain Flashcards
3 regions of the brain
- Hindbrain
- Midbrain
- Forebrain
Brainstem comprised of…?
Hindbrain and midbrain
Hindbrain structures
- Medulla
- Pons
- Cerebellum
Midbrain structures
- Reticular formation
- Substantia nigra
Forebrain comprised of….?
Subcortical structures and cerebral cortex
Subcortical forebrain structures
- Hypothalamus
- Thalamus
- Basal ganglia
- Limbic system
Limbic system structures
- Amygdala
- Cingulate cortex
- Hippocampus
Medulla functions
- Involuntary mouth and throat movements (swallowing, coughing, sneezing)
- Regulates survival functions (respiration, heart rate, blood pressure)
Damage to medulla
Death
(commonly damaged through opioid use)
Pons functions
- Connect two halves of cerebellum
- Coordinates movements on two sides of body
- Relays messages between cerebellum and cerebral cortex
- Regulates respiration, deep sleep, REM sleep
Cerebellum functions
- Coordinates voluntary movements, posture, balance
- Processing and storing procedural memories and implicit memories
- Involved in some cognition (attention, language processing, visuospatial)
Damage to cerebellum
Ataxia
Reticular formation
- Network of neurons from medulla to midbrain
- Contains reticular activating system (RAS)
Reticular formation functions
- Regulates muscle tone
- Eye movements
- Control of pain
Reticular activating system (RAS)
- Also known as ascending reticular activating system (ARAS)
- Part of reticular formation
RAS functions
- Consciousness and arousal
- Controls sleep/wake cycle
- Alerts cerebral cortex to incoming sensory signals
Damage to RAS
Coma
Stimulation of RAS
Waking (if asleep) or becoming more alert (if awake)
Substantia nigra
Contains dopamine-producing cells
Substantia nigra functions
- Reward-seeking
- Drug addiction
- Motor control (alongside basal ganglia)
Damage to substantia nigra
Parkinson’s motor symptoms (slowed movement, tremors, rigidity, etc.)
Hypothalamus functions
- Homeostasis and survival (body temperature, blood pressure, heart and respiration rates, thirst and hunger, growth, sexual activity, reproduction, physiological stress responses)
- Influences ANS and pituitary gland
- Related to emotions, memory, circadian rhythms