Brain structures and functions

Question 1

Hippocampus

Answer 1

forms and stores new memories of personal history/other declarative memories
highly important for learning language

Question 2

Basal Ganglia

Answer 2

responsible for voluntary movement
regulates autonomic movement, posture, muscle tone, motor responses
**dysfunction associated with Parkinson’s and Huntington’s

Question 3

Amygdala

Answer 3

emotional and social processing- involved with fear, pleasure, arousal, memory processing, and formation of emotional memories

Question 4

Thalamus

Answer 4

coordinates sensory perception/movements with other parts of brain/spinal cord also involved in sensation
receives info from basal ganglia, cerebellum, and all sensory pathways (except olfactory)
**damage = thalamic pain syndrome

Question 5

Hypothalamus

Answer 5

receives/integrates info from autonomic nervous system, assists in hormone regulation
controls hunger, thirst, sexual behavior, and sleep
regulated body temp, adrenal glands, pituitary, and more
**lesions = variety of impairments based on damage

Question 6

Subthalamus

Answer 6

regulates movements produced by skeletal muscle

associated with basal ganglia & substantia nigra

Question 7

Epithalamus

Answer 7

aka pineal gland
secretes melatonin, is involved in circadian rhythms
regulates selected motor pathways and emotions

Question 8

Midbrain

Answer 8

connects forebrain to hindbrain
large relay area for info from cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord
reflex center for visual, auditory and tactile responses

Question 9

Cerebellum

Answer 9

fine tunes movements/assists with posture/balance by controlling muscle tone & positioning of extremities in space
controls ability to perform rapid alternating movements
**damage to one side = ipsilateral impairment
**lesions = ataxia, nystagmus, tremor, hypermetria, poor coordination, deficits in postural reflexes, balance, and equilibrium

Question 10

Pons

Answer 10

assists with regulation of respiration rate
associated with orientation of head in relation to visual/auditory stimuli
Origin of Cranial Nerves V-VIII

Question 11

Medulla Oblongata

Answer 11

influences autonomic nervous activity, regulates respiration/heart rate
reflex center controls vomiting, coughing, sneezing
**damage to motor tracts = contralateral impairment

Question 12

Brainstem

Answer 12

made up of Midbrain, Pons, Medulla Oblongata
relay station: sends messages between various parts of body and cerebral cortex
manages many primitive functions essential for survival: heart rate, respiration, reticular activating system
origin for majority of cranial nerves
**damage = “brain death”

Question 13

Meninges

Answer 13

provides brain protection from contusion and infection
Dura Mater: outermost- lines periosteum of skull
Arachnoid: middle- impermeable, surround brain in “loose manner”
Pia Mater: innermost- covers contours of brain, forms choroid plexus in ventricular system

Question 14

Dural Spaces

Answer 14

epidural space: area between skull and dura mater, usually unoccupied
subdural space: between dura and arachnoid
subarachnoid space: between arachnoid and pia, contains CerebroSpinal Fluid and circulatory system for cerebal cortex

Question 15

Ventricular System

Answer 15

protects and nourishes brain: made of 4 fluid filled cavities (ventricles) and multiple foramina that allow passage of CSF

Question 16

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Answer 16

clear, fluid-like substance that cushions brain and spinal cord from injury, provides mechanical buoyancy and support