Brain structures Flashcards
what does the brainstem consist of?
medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain
what is the function of the brainstem?
relay center for sensory input and motor output and basic reflex actions
what is the function of the cerebellum?
higher motor and sensory functions, not part of brain stem, coordinates and fine tunes, maintains balance and posture in response to proprioceptors, assists cerebrum with regulation of behavioral expression, some cognitive skills and language retrieval
what is the function of the cardiac center and where is it?
located in medulla oblongata, regulates heart rate and strength contraction
what is the vasomotor center and where is it located?
constricts and dilates arterioles (regulates blood pressure), in medulla oblongata
what are the pyramids and where are they located?
bilateral ridges on the anterior side, motor axons only, most of the axons are decussate, located in medulla oblongata
what is the respiratory center and where is it located?
regulates breathing rate (works with pontine respiratory center in the pons) , in the medulla oblongata
what is the inferior part of fourth ventricle and its location?
produces and distributes CSF, in the medulla oblongata
what is the pontine respiratory center and its location?
helps control rate and depth of breathing
what is the superior part of fourth ventricle and location?
continuous with cerebral aqueduct, in the pons
what is the pons composed of?
groups of axons or nerve fiber tracts
what is the Tectal plate and its location?
connects brain stem to diencephalon, located on posterior side of midbrain
what is the superior colliculi?
subdivision of tectal plate, coordinates head and eye movements to sudden image
what is the inferior colliculi?
subdivision of tectal plate, coordinates head and eye movements to sudden sound
what are the cerebral peduncles?
groups of axons on anterior side of midbrain, motor axons only, conducts nerve impulses between the cerebrum and brainstem
what is the cerebral aqueduct?
connects 4th ventricle to 3rd ventricle
what is the cerebellar peduncles?
a group of axons in the cerebellum
what are the inferior cerebellar peduncles?
connect medulla oblongata to the cerebellum
what are the middle cerebellar peduncles?
connects the pons to the cerebellum
what are the superior cerebellar peduncles?
connect the midbrain to the cerebellum
what are propriocepters?
sensory nerve endings in muscles, joints, and tendons
what is ataxia?
uncoordinated and jerky movements
what is the pia mater?
a deepest and thinnest cranial meninge that is directly attached to nervous system
what is the subarachnoid space?
space between pia and arachnoid mater
what is the arachnoid mater?
middle layer of mater
what is the dura mater?
outermost layer, creates veins in brain, has two layers
what is the inner menigeal layer?
layer of dura mater attached to arachnoid mater
what is the outer periosteal layer?
layer of dura mater attached to periosteum
what do the dural layers do?
form dural venous sinuses
what are dural venous sinuses?
large veins that drain blood from brain between innermenigeal and outer periosteal layers, vein walls are formed from dura mater
how is CSF produced?
made in the ventricles of the brain, by the choroid plexus
what is CSF and its function?
cerebrospinal fluid, provides buoyancy for brain and spinal cord, maintains CNS chemical environment, produced continuously
what is the ventricular system?
the pattern of flow, left and right lateral ventricles found in each cerebral hemisphere, third ventricle is the space in the diencephalon, third ventricle connects to each lateral ventricle via interventricular foramen, cerebral aqueduct in the midbrain, fourth ventricle in both pons and medulla oblongata
what is the CSF circulation process first part?
CSF produced by choroid plexus in ventricles
CSF circulation part 2?
CSF flows from the lateral ventricles, through the interventricular foramen, into third ventricle to the cerebral aqueduct, and then to 4th ventricle
CSF circulation part 3?
CSF leaves 4th ventricle and enters the subarachnoid space
CSF circulation part 4?
CSF circulates in subarachnoid space
what is the pineal gland and its function?
its a gland in the epithalamus, produces melatonin and regulates circadian rhythm through release of melatonin
CSF circulation part 5?
excess CSF removed from subarachnoid space by arachnoid villi
what is arachnoid villi?
extensions of arachnoid mater that project into dural venous sinus
what is the third ventricle?
walls and roof are formed by thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus. it produces CSF and it’s the space in diencephalon
