Central Nervous System Flashcards
What is the CNS made up of?
The brain and spinal cord
What is the main role of the brain?
To process information from the internal and external environment
What are the three main regions of the brain?
Cerebrum
Cerebellum
Brain stem
What is the cerebrum is responsible for?
It is the most developmentally advanced part of the brain and responsible for many higher functions such as speech, integration of sensory stimuli, and fine movement control
What is the cerebellum responsible for?
It is the second largest area of the brain and is responsible for maintaining balance and further control of movement and coordination
As well as this it is important for everyday functions
What is the brain stem divided into?
Medulla
Midbrain
Pons
What is the brain step responsible for?
Responsible for a variety of autonomic functions such as; respiratory control, heart rate, blood pressure, attention, arousal and wakefulness
What is nervous tissue?
Neurones and glial cells
What are the four lobes of the brain?
Frontal
Parietal
Temporal
Occipital
What is the frontal lobe responsible for?
Personality, emotions, motor functions, speech, memory, movement as well as planning control and voluntary movement
What is the parietal lobe responsible for?
Auditory association, interpretation of words and thoughts and smells. This are receives and processes sensory information
What is the temporal lobe responsible for?
Speech, language, smell, touch, position, sensory interpretation, special awareness, storage of sensory information
What is the occipital lobe responsible for?
Sight and visual interpretation, past visual experience
What is the mid brain responsible for?
It contains the auditory and visual reflex centre as well as controlling cranial reflex’s such as blinking and ducking the head in accordance to visual stimuli
What is the pons responsible for?
It relays sensory information between the cerebrum and cerebellum
What is the medulla responsible for?
It contains the respiratory, vasomotor and cardiac centres for the control of breathing and cardiovascular functions as well as many reflex actions such as coughing
What fibres are found on the ascending tracts of the spinal cord?
Sensory nerve fibres
What fibres are found in the descending tracts in the spinal cord?
Motor nerve fibres
What is the role of the spinal cord?
It links the brain to the rest of the body
What is the limbic system?
It included the hypothalamus, hypo-campus and amygdala.
It is the primitive portion of the brain and controls emotions, memory, pleasure and pain
How many cranial nerves are there?
There are 12 and they are essential for life
What parts are there for the protection of the brain?
Cranium
Meninges
Cerebrospinal fluid
Blood brain barrier
What is the role of the meninges?
They are membranes around the CNS and provide another layer of protection for the brain as well as the spinal cord.
There are three layers; dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater
What is the dura mater?
The outmost, thickest, strongest layer
