Central Nervous System (CNS) Flashcards
What is the CNS made up of?
The Brain
The Spinal Cord
What are the 4 areas of the brain?
- Cerebrum
- Cerebellum
- Diencephalon
- Brainstem
What are the 4 lobes of the cerebrum?
- frontal lobe
- parietal lobe
- occipital lobe
- temporal lobe
What is the diencephalon made up of?
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
What are the 4 components of the brainstem?
- midbrain
- pons
- medulla oblongatta
- reticular formation
Functions of the hypothalamus? (List 3)
Autonomic control centre Centre for emotional response Control of endocrine system functioning Regulation of: - body temperature - food intake - water balance - sleep/wake cycles
What is the function of the thalamus
It is reponsible for mediating sensation, motor activities, cortical arousal, learning & memory
What is the limbic system also referred to as?
The emotional brain
What is reticular formation?
Clusters of nuclei, scattered throughout the brainstem
What is the cerebellum responsible for?
Balance & posture, smooth and coordinated skeletal muscle movements.
Structural Components of the spinal cord?
Grey column (anterior and posterior)
White column (anterior, posterior and lateral)
Posterior median sulcus
Anterior median fissure (long slit at front)
Anterior (motor) nerve root
Posterior (sensory) nerve root
What does grey matter contain?
Cell bodies
What does white matter contain?
Nerve fibres
What region of the spinal cord contains motor neurones that direct the movement of skeletal muscle?
The anterior grey column (grey matter in the anterior segment of the spinal cord)
How is cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) formed and how does it flow?
It is produced by epithelial cells within the ventricles of the brain and spinal column
It flows through the 4 ventricles as well as in between the meninges
What are the events of a simple reflex arc?
A primary sensory neuron synapses directly with the lower motor neuron or via a small inter neuron instead of going to the CNS to be processed. (The movement occurs before stimuli is sensed)
Neurons that transmit impulses towards the brain are called ______________ (_____________)
Sensory (afferent / ascending)
Neurones that transmit impulses away from the brain are _________ (__________)
Motor (efferent / descending)
