Ch 13. Central Nervous System Flashcards
The spinal cord functions as a:
reflex center, conduction pathway
Into what space is anesthesia injected to numb the spinal cord?
epidural space
Where does the spinal cord end?
just below the ribcage
Where along the vertebral column would a lumbar puncture be done?
between L3 and L4
Why would a lumbar puncture be done at this location and not higher up?
to avoid hitting the spinal cord, which ends at about the top of L2
The tapered inferior end of the spinal cord is called the:
conus medullaris
The group of spinal nerves that extends below the end of the spinal cord and looks like a horse’s tail is the:
cauda equina
The long thin extension of the pia mater that attaches to the coccyx and anchors the spinal cord in place is the:
filum terminale
What is the significance of the cervical and lumbar enlargements?
These are sites where nerves to the upper and lower limbs emerge
In the spinal cord gray matter is located:
towards the inside
In the brain gray matter is located:
towards the outer surface
Which of these is most medial?
gray commissure
In the spinal cord myelinated fibers would be found in the:
columns
The gray matter of the spinal cord consists of:
interneurons and motor neuron cell bodies
The ascending fibers of the spinal cord white matter primarily carry:
sensory information going to the brain
The descending fibers of the spinal cord white matter primarily carry:
motor instructions going to the muscles and glands
Most sensory and motor pathways decussate (cross from one side to the other) at some point so that information about the right side of the body goes to or comes from the left side of the brain and vice versa.
TRUE
Structures of the Cerebrum
Insula, Five lobes, Basal ganglia
Structures of the Brain Stem
Midbrain, Pons, Medulla Oblongata
Structures of the Cerebellum
Vermis, Arbor vitae
Structures of the Diencephalon
Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Pineal body
Ventricles are spaces in the brain filled with
cerebrospinal fluid
Which structure connects the lateral and third ventricle?
interventricular foramen
Which structure connects the third and fourth ventricle?
cerebral aqueduct
Lateral ventricles occupy in the
cerebrum
Third ventricle occupy in the
diencephalon
Fourth ventricle occupy in the
brainstem
Which of these is NOT part of the brainstem?
cerebellum
Which of these is NOT in the midbrain?
interventricular foramen
The bulge on the underside of the brain made up of tracts of white fibers is the:
pons
The most superior part of the brainstem is the:
midbrain
Reflex centers for coughing and sneezing are in the:
medulla oblongata
The colliculi are part of the:
corpora quadrigemina
The white matter of the cerebellum is called the:
arbor vitae
The central part of the cerebellum is the:
vermis
The thalamus, hypothalamus and epithalamus form the
diencephalon
The gland associated with the hypothalamus is the:
pituitary gland
The gland associated with the epithalamus is the:
pineal body
The relay center for impulses going to the cerebrum is the:
thalamus
Which area serves as the main visceral control center of the body
hypothalamus
Lobe where hearing and smell are perceived.
Temporal Lobe
Lobe where vision is perceived.
Occipital Lobe
Lobe involved in memory and site where balance and visceral sensations are perceived.
Insula
Lobe where touch and taste are perceived.
Parietal Lobe
Lobe responsible for voluntary movement and most intellectual processes.
Frontal Lobe
Specific ridge responsible for conscious awareness of the general somatic senses.
Postcentral gyrus
Specific ridge where the primary motor cortex (which controls voluntary movement) is located.
Precentral gyrus
Area that directs muscles involved in speech production.
Broca’s area
Area that is primarily involved in recognizing and understanding spoken words.
Wernicke’s area
Areas of the brain that function in integration and communication between other brain parts.
Association areas
Cortical areas involved in control of voluntary muscular contractions.
Motor areas
Cortical areas involved in conscious awareness of sensation.
Sensory areas
White matter that connects the two halves of the cerebrum.
Corpus callosum
Part of the brain responsible for conscious thought.
Cerebrum
The fifth lobe of the cerebrum, which is located deep inside the lateral sulcus.
Insula
A valley or groove on the surface of the brain.
Sulcus
Gray matter located within the white matter of the cerebrum; disorders cause problems with movement, including Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.
Basal ganglia
The two main regions of the basal ganglia.
Caudate nucleus, Lentiform nucleus
Which of these is LEAST involved in movement?
limbic system
Which of these is LEAST involved in memory?
thalamus
Which of these includes part of the diencephalon?
limbic system
Which of these is involved in the fear response?
amygdala
Which one encodes, consolidates and retrieves memories?
hippocampus
Important in starting, stopping, and monitoring the intensity of movements executed by cortex
Basal ganglia
Relay center for impulses heading to the cerebrum.
Thalamus
Regulates autonomic nervous system, release of pituitary hormones, and many other things.
Hypothalamus
Helps regulate sleep cycles and releases melatonin.
Pineal body
“Little feet of the cerebrum” that contain pyramidal motor tracts descending to the spinal cord.
Cerebral peduncles
Controls visual and auditory reflexes.
Corpora quadrigemina
Relays information between the motor cortex and cerebellum; has nuclei for several cranial nerves.
Pons
Has reflex centers for heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rhythm.
Medulla oblongata
Mediates postural reflexes, balance and coordination; some cognitive functions.
Cerebellum
Our “emotional brain”; it also plays a major role in memory.
Limbic system
Stimulates the cerebral cortex to keep us alert.
Reticular activating system
Connective tissue that surrounds and protects the brain.
Meninges
Prevents toxins and other undesirable substances in the blood from entering the brain.
Blood brain barrier
Space superificial to pia mater that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
Subarachnoid space
Potential space between the dura mater and arachnoid mater.
Subdural space
Most superficial layer of meninges; composed of tough fibrous connective tissue.
Dura mater
Deepest layer of meninges; a delicate, highly vascularized layer that clings to the brain surface.
Pia mater
The middle layer of meninges that has spiderweb-like projections on its inner surface.
Arachnoidmater
Structure responsible for making cerebrospinal fluid; located in the roofs of the ventricles.
Choroid plexus
The largest of the dural sinuses; collects venous blood and travels along the superior midline of head.
Superior sagittal sinus
