Brain Terms Flashcards
True or False: Ventral describes a structure as being anterior with respect to the coronal plane when discussing the brainstem or spinal cord, but inferior with respect to the horizontal plane when discussing other structures of the brain.
True
The terms ventral and dorsal describe terms of relationship with respect to the coronal plane (anterior and posterior, respectively) when discussing the brainstem or spinal cord. These same terms describe terms of relationship with respect to the horizontal plane (inferior and superior, respectively) when discussing the cerebral cortex.
True or False: The frontal lobe of the brain is located caudal with respect to the occipital lobe of the brain.
False
Explanation
When describing structures of the cerebral cortex caudal means posterior and rostral means anterior (with respect to the coronal plane). Thus, the frontal lobe would be located rostral with respect to the occipital lobe.
Which of the following describes a plane in which the brain can be sectioned. Select all that apply.
- Sagittal
- Coronal
- Horizontal
- Rostral
- Dorsal
- Lateral
Sagittal, coronal, horizontal
Explanation
The brain can be sectioned in the sagittal, coronal and horizontal planes. Rostral, dorsal, and lateral are terms of relationship/comparison.
Which lobes of the brain are considered the primary lobes of the brain.
- Frontal lobe
- Parietal lobe
- Temporal lobe
- Occipital lobe
- Insula lobe
-Frontal lobe
- Parietal lobe
- Temporal lobe
- Occipital lobe
Which of the following lobes of the brain is important for motor functions?
- Frontal
- Parietal
- Temporal
- Visual
Frontal
Explanation
The frontal lobe contains motor planning and motor execution areas: including the supplementary motor area, premotor cortex, and the primary motor cortex. The parietal lobe contains areas that process somatosensory information and integrate somatosensory and special sensory information. The temporal lobe contains areas that process auditory information and also deep structures important for emotional processing and memory formation. The occipital lobe contains areas important for visual processing.
True or False: The median longitudinal fissure separates the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
True
Which of the following structures are associated with the diencephalon?
- Thalamus
-Cerebellum - Hypothalamus
- Midbrain
- Third ventricle
- Cerebral aqueduct
Thalamus, hypothalamus, third ventricle
Explanation
The diencephalon consists of the thalamus, hypothalamus, sub-thalamus and epithalamus, and the third ventricle is contained in the diencephalon. The midbrain is part of the brainstem and the cerebral aqueduct is located in the midbrain (part of the ventricular system that connects the third and fourth ventricles.
Which of the following structures make up the brainstem?
- Medulla
- Cerebellum
-Pons - Hippocampus
- Midbrain
- Putamen
Midbrain, pons, medulla
Which of the following structures can you see when looking at the ventral (inferior) surface of the brain.
Mammillary bodies
Optic nerves and chiasm
Central sulcus
Precentral gyrus
Lateral sulcus
Brainstem
Cerebellum
Mammillary bodies
Optic nerves and chiasm
Brainstem
Cerebellum
Explanation
When looking at a ventral (inferior view of the brain) you can clearly see the inferior surfaces of the frontal and temporal lobes, the optic nerves and chiasm, parts of the hypothalamus: the mammillary bodies and stalk of the pituitary gland, the brainstem, and the cerebellum.
Which of the following structures separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe?
Median longitudinal fissure
Central sulcus
Lateral sulcus
Pre-occipital notch
Central sulcus
Explanation
The central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes. The median longitudinal fissure separates the right and left hemispheres. The lateral sulcus separates out the temporal lobes form the frontal and parietal lobes. The pre-occipital notch helps locate the division between the occipital lobe and inferior parietal lobe.
The postcentral gyrus lies posterior to the central sulcus.
True
False
True
Broca’s area is located in the temporal lobe?
True or False
Fasle
Explanation
Broca’s area is located in the frontal lobe. This area is important for language functions (expressive language functions).
