Central Nervous System Flashcards
True/False: The location of information processing is different for each individual
False - it’s the same
True/False: The brain is a complex organ and we do not know everything about it yet
True
What are the four major divisions of the brain?
Frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal
What structure connects the left and right hemispheres of the cerebrum?
The corpus callosum
What does the corpus collosum do?
Allows communication between the 2 atmospheres of the brain
The bumps of the cerebrum are called?
Gyri
The grooves of the cerebrum are called?
Sulci
What is the occipital lobe associated with?
Vision
What is the parietal lobe associated with?
Sensation of touch and language
What is the temporal lobe associated with?
Receiving and processing sensory inputs, especially hearing
What is the frontal lobe associated with?
Planning, attention, short term memory voluntary movement and motivation
Where is the cerebral cortex?
Superficial layer of the cerebrum
What is the cerebral cortex made of?
Grey matter
What is grey matter?
Matter that is made up of dendrites and axon bodies
What are the 3 functions of the cerebral cortex?
Sensory (touch, pressure, temperature)
Motor (deciding, planning)
Association (receive input from and send output)
Where is the somaosensory area of the brain?
Parietal lobe
Which part of the sensory area determines type, intensity, location or a stimulus?
The primary somatosensory cortex
What part of the sensory area integrates new information with sorted (memory) information?
Somatosensory association area
Which lobe is the motor cortex located in?
Frontal lobe
What does the premotor area of the motor cortex do?
It’s where the panning of skeletal muscles occurs
What does the primary motor cortex do?
Sends impulses down the spinal cord towards skeletal muscles
Where is the prefrontal cortex?
Frontal lobe
What can the prefrontal cortex do?
Integrative functions eg. Cognition, memory, planning etc.
True/False: Basal nuclei are made of grey matter
True
What common disease is associated with degeneration of the basal nuclei?
Parkinson’s Disease
What are the 2 parts of the diencephalon?
Thalamus and hypothalamus
Which part of the diencephalon regulates consciousness and sleep?
Thalamus
Which part of the diencephalon controls the endocrine system?
Hypothalamus
Where does the hypothalamus send signals for hormone release into the body?
To the pituitary gland
What is the lambic system involved with?
Emotion, behaviour, motivation, long-term memory
What are the parts of the brain stem?
Midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, spinal cord
What does the brainstem do?
Connects the brain with the spinal cord. Process motor signals from the brain.
What is the name given to the second largest structure of the brain, also called the ‘little brain’?
Cerebellum
What are the 3 layers of the meninges?
Dura mater, arachnoid mater, Pia mater
What is the fluid produced by cells that protects the brain and spinal cord from blows and trauma?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
What does the brain barrier (BBB) do?
Protection of the brain, it allows glucose, amino acids and some electrolytes to passively diffuse across
What are some substances that affect the nerves cells in the brain by passing through the BBB?
Alcohol, cocaine and heroin
What is the term associated to the brain’s ability to self repair?
Neuroplasticity
Which bony feature does the spinal cord reside?
Through the vertebral foramen of the vertebrae
How many spinal segments are there?
31
True/False: The H-Shaped core of the spinal cord is made of white matter?
False - it’s grey matter
Which neurons are found in the anterior horns of the spinal cord?
Motor neurons
Where are the 2nd order (sensory) neurons found?
Posterior horns
What neurons are found within the grey matter of the spinal cord?
Interneurons
What do interneurons do?
Connects all segments of spinal cord
What are spinal reflexes?
Autonomic responses to a change in environment
What is typically an effector in a spinal reflex?
A muscle which produces a response
Give an example of the crossed extensor reflex
When signals are sent to the opposite side of the body eg. Stepping on a pin and the opposite leg reflexing to extend
