Cerebrum Flashcards
what are the types of cortex based on phylogeny in mammals?
-archicortex –> 3 layers – hippocampal formation
-paleocortex –> various layers but up to 5 –> olfactory and parts of limbic system
-neocortex –> 6 layers.
describe the topography of the cerebral hemispheres
-folding of surface of cortex increases surface area –> approx. 1m^2
-gyri –> convolutions
-sulci –> groove
-fissure –> cleft
-Two-thirds of the cortex forms the walls of the sulci
-Some gyri, sulci and fissures are common features of the cerebral surface
-These are used as common landmarks in studying human neuroanatomy
What are the boundaries for the cortical lobes?
The lateral, parieto-occipital and central sulci
describe the precentral sulcus in frontal lobe
–Runs parallel to central sulcus and outlines the precentral gyrus
–Landmark for the primary motor area
what is the frontal lobe divided into?
superior, middle, inferior gyri by the superior and inferior sulci, and precentral gyrus
describe the inferior frontal gryi
-divided into Opercular, triangular, and orbital (from back of brain to front)
–Left hemisphere the opercular and triangular areas consist of Brocas expressive speech area
describe the postcentral sulcus in parietal lobe
-Runs parallel to central sulcus and outlines the postcentral gyrus
–Landmark for the somatosensory area
What is the parietal lobe divided into?
superior, inferior parietal lobules by intraparietal sulcus and the postcentral gyrus
describe the inferior parietal lobule
-Supramarginal and angular gyrus
–Left hemisphere these gyri are involved in perception and interpretation of spoken and written
describe the insular lobe
-Concealed by the frontal, parietal, and temporal opercula
-Outlined by the circular sulcus and divided into two regions by the central sulcus
– Short gyri anterior to the central sulcus
– Long gyri posterior to the central sulcus
-Involved in visceral sensations of taste and smell and controlling involuntary visceral activity via the autonomic nervous system
Describe the major gyri and sulci of lateral surface of temporal lobes
-Superior and inferior sulcus
– Divide the lateral surface into superior, middle, and inferior gyri
-The superior temporal gyrus forms the floor of the lateral sulcus
-The anterior part is the transverse temporal gyri
– Location of the primary auditory cortex
-The posterior part is the planum temporale
– Part of the receptive language area
describe the major gyri and sulci of lateral surface of occipital lobe
-The lateral surface of the occipital lobe only has minor sulci and gyri that have little anatomical significance
-Some minor features are the calcarine sulcus and the lunate sulcus that is curved around the end of the calcarine sulcus
-The primary visual cortex occupies and surrounds the calcarine sulcus
Describe the major gyri and sulci of the cingulate sulcus and gyrus
-cingulate sulcus separates the cingulate gyrus and the medial frontal gyrus
-The cingulate sulcus gives off a paracentral sulcus
-Divides into marginal and subparietal sulci in the parietal lobe
-The region between the paracentral, marginal and central sulci is the paracentral lobule
-Above the subparietal sulcus is the precuneus
-The paraoccipital and calcarine sulci bound the cuneus of the
occipital lobe
what is the collateral sulcus?
medial surface –>Defines the lateral margin of the lingual and parahippocampal gyri
rhinal sulcus defines…
the entorhinal area
describe the occipitotemporal sulcus
-divides the medial and lateral occipitotemporal gyri
describe the olfactory sulcus
-divides the gyrus rectus and orbital gyri
describe the limbic lobe
-Cingulate and parahippocampal gyri:
– Connected by a narrow isthmus (retrosplenial cortex)
– They form the limbic lobe
-Part of the limbic system:
–Hippocampus
–Amygdala
–Hypothalamus
-septum
-thalamus
how many cortical neurons are there and what are they?
-between 2.6x10^9 - 1.6x10^10
-they are principle cells and interneurons
describe principle cells
-pyramidal and fusiform cells
-The principle cells (neurons with long axons) are the pyramidal neurons (10-50 µm)
-Around two-thirds of all cortical neurons
-All excitatory
-Giant pyramidal cells are know as Betz cells 100µm –> Found only in the primary motor area
-dendrites conspicuous apical and basal or lateral with branches covered in spines
-axon emerges from the base of the pyramid or a large dendrite –> Many collaterals
describe fusiform cells
-Atypical principle cells with irregularly elliptical cells bodies
-Located in deep layers of the cortex
-Many local intracortical connections
-Axons connect with other neurons in three ways:
-Projection neurons
-Association neurons
-Commissural neurons
what are the interneurons
around 30 types recognised based on dendritic cytoarchitecture
They are divided into:
-stellate cells
-basket cells
-retzius-cajal cells
-cells of martinotti
describe stellate cells
-interneurons
-excitatory
-found in layer IV
Describe basket cells
-interneurons
-inhibitory
-lateral branching axons embracing pyramidal cells
describe ratzius cajal cells
-interneurons
-superficial layers
describe cells of martinotti
-interneurons
-deep layers with axons that project toward the top layer
describe the cortical layers
-Thickness of neocortex varies from 4.5mm (primary motor area) to 1.5mm (primary visual area)
-Differ in density, size, shape and constituent of neurons
-6 layers (based on Brodmann):
1. Molecular layer
2. External granular layer
3. External pyramidal layer
4. Internal granular layer
5. Internal pyramidal layer
6. Multiform layer
describe the molecular layer of the cortex
-Synaptic field of the cortex
-Superficial layer consists of terminal branches of dendrites and axons
-Most dendritic branches come from the pyramidal cells
-Axons originate from ipsilateral and contralateral cortex and thalamus and cells of Martinotti
-Horizontal cells of Retzius-Cajal
describe the external granular cortex layer
-many small pyramidal cells and interneurons
describe the cortical external pyramidal layer
-typical pyramidal cells
-form association and commissural fibres