Central Nervous System Flashcards
cerebrum
- Largest part of the brain (all the lobes)
- responsible for voluntary activity, the senses, and thinking
cerebellum
- The “little brain”
- responsible for coordinated movement, balance, and processing sensory input
medulla oblongata
part of the brain stem that controls all vital, life-sustaining functions. (breathing, heartbeat, etc.)
pons
a brain structure that relays info from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
hypothalamus
a neural structure lying below the thalamus that maintains homeostasis
mnemonic:
homeo = hypo
thalamus
the brain’s sensory control center; on top of brainstem, the brain messenger!
pineal gland
controls reproduction and circadian rhythm
gyrus (gyri)
ridges in the brain
sulcus (sulci)
deep groove in the cerebrum
fissures
deep divide in the brain (longitudinal, and separating the cerebrum and cerebellum -> transverse)
ventricle
a small hollow within the brain that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid
4 ventricle in the brain!
Lateral ventricle
a complex C-shaped portion within each hemisphere
3rd ventricle
in the middle of the brain; communicates with the lateral ventricles
superior colliculus
receives visual sensory input