[C] (Pt. 1) Neurology and Behaviour: THE BRAIN Flashcards
Meninges
3 membranes: pia mater, arachnoid mater, dura mater which line the skull and vertebral canal + surround the brain and spinal cord
Meningitis
Inflammation of meninges
Symptoms: Fever (+38C)/ being sick/ headache/ rash that does not fade when glass rolled over it (sometimes)/ stiff neck/ dislike of bright lights
Viral meningitis more common than bacterial (fatal)
Men. B vaccine for babies/ ACWY 18-25
Ventricles
4 connected cavities in brain into which cerebro-spinal fluid secreted (then pass into spinal canal)
(Right Lateral, Left Lateral, Third, Fourth)
Cerebro - Spinal Fluid
Resembles plasma:
- Supplies nutrients e.g. glucose
- Supplies O2 in solution (no RBCs so pale yellow)
- Contains antibodies + WBCs (role resisting infection)
Regions Brain
Forebrain, Midbrain, Hindbrain
Hindbrain
Sustains basic homeostatic functions
1) Cerebellum
2) Medulla Oblongata
Cerebellum
Co-ordinates precision and timing in muscular activity (equilibrium and posture) + fine motor skills (vol.)
(Convoluted surface for cell bodies large no. neurones)
Medulla Oblongata
Connects brain to spinal cord + controls invol, automatic functions (e.g. ventilation/ BP/ heartbeat/ balance)
Midbrain
Contains nerve fibres linking hindbrain w forebrain (relay info for vision and hearing)
Forebrain
1) Limbic System - emotion/ learning/ memory
- Hippocampus
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
2) Cerebrum
- Cerebral Cortex
Hippocampus
Interacts w cerebral cortex
- Learning, reasoning, personality, permanent memory
Thalamus
Send and receive impulses from cerebrum (relay centre)
Hypothalamus
General functions (e.g. body temp/ blood solute conc, hunger, thirst, sleep)
Main controlling region autonomic n.s + links brain to endocrine system (pituitary gland)
Cerebrum
2 hemispheres (brain bilaterally symmetrical - left dominant) responsible for integrating sensory functions + voluntary motor functions
Source human intellect (vol behaviour, learning, personality/ etc) (mostly subconscious)
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Part peripheral n.s that controls automatic functions body (e.g. reflex actions) by antagonistic activity sympathetic + parasympathetic n.s
Sympathetic N.S
Neurotransmitter: Noradrenaline
Excitatory: Nervous impulses increase heart rate, BP, ventilation rate (“fight or flight” responses)
Cell bodies of neurones: Grey matter spinal cord + ganglions outside spinal cord
Parasympathetic N.S
Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine
Inhibitory: Decrease heart rate, BP, vent rate (“rest and digest”/ “feed and breed” responses)
Cell bodies of neurones: Brain + spinal cord + lie close to target organs
Effect of ANS on Heart Rate: Exercise
- Blood pH decreases (+BP incr)
- Cardio-acceleratory centre stimulated (in cardiovascular centre in medulla oblongata)
- Nervous impulses travel sympathetic nerves to sino-atrial node (SAN)
- Noradrenalin released
- Noradr. binds to cell membrane receptors on SAN cells
- Frequency of SAN’s electrical discharge increases
- Heart rate increases