CH 3.1 Key Terms Flashcards
amygdala
temporal lobe structure important for evaluating emotional information
autonomic nervous system
part of the PNS that controls the heart, intestines, and other organs
basal ganglia
a group of subcortical forebrain structures lateral to the thalamus
brainstem
the medulla, pons, midbrain, and central structure of the forebrain
gray matter
areas of the nervous system that are densely packed with cell bodies and dendrites
cerebellum
highly folded hindbrain structure that is important for behaviors that depend on accurate timing
central nervous system (CNS)
the brain and the spinal cord
dorsal
located toward the back
dorsal root ganglia
clusters of sensory neurons outside the spinal cord
hypothalamus
small area near the base of the brain, ventral to the thalamus
cranial nerves
nerves that control sensations from the head, muscle movements in the head, and much of the parasympathetic output to the organs
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
a clear fluid similar to blood plasma produced by choroid plexus in the brain ventricles
hindbrain
the posterior part of the brain
hippocampus
a large structure located toward the posterior of the forebrain, between the thalamus and the cerebral cortex
inferior colliculus
swelling on the surface of the tectum that contributes to hearing
limbic system
interlinked structures that form a border around the brainstem
medulla
hindbrain structure located just above the spinal cord; could be regarded as an enlarged extension of the spinal cord MEG.
meninges
membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
midbrain
middle part of the brain
nucleus basalis
a forebrain structure that lies on the ventral surface; receives input from the hypothalamus and basal ganglia; sends axons to areas in the cerebral cortex
parasympathetic nervous system
system of nerves that facilitate vegetative, nonemergency responses by the body’s organs
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
nerves outside the brain and spinal cord
pons
hindbrain structure that lies anterior and ventral to the medulla
somatic nervous system
part of the PNS that consists of the axons conveying messages from the sense organs to the CNS and from the CNS to the muscles
spinal cord
part of the CNS; it communicates with all the sense organs and muscles except those of the head
thalamus
a pair of structures in the center of the forebrain
substantia nigra
A midbrain structure that gives rise to a pathway releasing dopamine
superior colliculus
swelling on either side of the tectum; important to visual processing
sympathetic nervous system
a network of nerves that prepare the organs for vigorous activity
tectum
roof of the midbrain
tegmentum
intermediate level of the midbrain
ventral
toward the stomach
ventricles
four fluid-filled cavities within the brain
white matter
area of the nervous system consisting of myelinated axons
