Central Nervous System and Cranial Nerves Flashcards
composed of the brain and the spinal cord
central nervous system
located within the cortex of the brain, composed of nerve cell bodies.
gray matter
located beneath the cortex, composed of tracts of myelinated nerve fibers
white matter
the main, superior component of the brain in charge of memory and reason; is divided into two hemispheres and further into five lobes
cerebrum
elevations of the cortical surface of the brain
cerebral gyrus
grooves between the cerebral gyri
cerebral sulcus
deep groove that separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres, follows the sagittal suture line
longitudinal fissure
comprises most of the anterior half of the cerebrum, in charge of personality and contraction of skeletal muscle
frontal lobe
the top, posterior portion of the cerebrum, associated with speech, emotions, and visual interpretations.
parietal lobe
the lateral portion of the cerebrum, associated with memory, hearing, and visual activities
temporal lobe
found deep beneath the lateral sulcus, associated with memory and interpretation of tase
insula lobe
divides the brain in a coronal section, separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe
central sulcus
most posterior portion of the cerebrum associated with interpretation of visual images and eye movement
occipital lobe
divides the brain in a transverse section, follows the squamous suture, separates the frontal and temporal lobes
lateral sulcus
separates parietal and occipital lobes, can only be seen from the medial side of a sagittal cut
parietooccipital sulcus
a commissure connecting the two cerebral hemispheres, unifying awareness between them
corpus callosum
anterior portion of the corpus callosum
genu
posterior portion of the corpus callosum
splenium
located just superior to the corpus callosum, responsible for processing emotions related to the consolidation of short-term into long-term memories, and processing of motivation; part of limbic system.
cingulate system
continuation of cingulate gyrus to medial temporal lobe; contains the entrohinal cortex, part of limbic system
parahippocampal gyrus
paired organ lateral and superior to third ventricle of the diencephalon, receives and sends impulses to precise locations within the cerebral lobes from interpretation; part of the somatosensory system and limbic system.
thalamus
a small, midline commissure connecting the right and left thalamus
interthalamic ahesion (intermediate mass)
a small hormone secreting gland in the posterior portion of the epithalamus, located superior to the corpora quadrigemina
pineal gland (body)
located within the floor of the diecephalon or third ventricle; provides control over the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system
hypothalamus
the stalk that connects the pituitary and the hypothalamus
infundibulum
a small endocrine gland projecting inferiorly from the hypothalamus and situated in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone, “master gland”
pituitary gland
two nodes located inferior to the third ventricle and superior and anterior to the pons, function as a relay center for olfactory sensations; part of limbic system
mammillary gland
located in the medial temporal lobe underneath the cortical surface, makes up part of the limbic system; plays a role in spatial navigation and forming short-term memories.
hippocampus
white matter tract connecting the hippocampus to the mammillary body on each hemisphere; part of limbic system
fornix
“almond” shaped structure located anterior to the hippocampus; responsible for processing emotions related to the formation of short-term memories
amygdala
consists of mid-brain, pons, and medulla oblongata
brain stem
consists of the cerebral peduncles anteriorly and the corpora quadrigemina posteriorly
midbrain
white matter tracts linking the cerebrum with the pons; forms the ventral portion of the midbrain
cerebral peduncles
four rounded elevations that form the dorsal portion of the midbrain; consists of the superior and inferior colliculus; responsible for auditory and visual reflexes
tectum (corpora quadrigemina)
larger than the inferior colliculus, responsible for visual relfexes
superior colliculus