Chapter 12 - CNS System Flashcards
Central nervous system (CNS)
the brain & the spinal cord
Brain
the soft, whitish-grey organ of the CNS that performs multiple integrative functions
Protection: internal cavities called ventricles that are filled with a protective cerebrospinal fluid
Spinal cord
a long, tubular organ encased within & protected by the vertebral cavity
Protection: vertebral cavity
General Functions of the CNS
Sensory functions: (PNS)detection of sensations within & outside the body
Integrative functions: (CNS) “decision-making” processes
•Maintenance of homeostasis
•Higher mental functions; language & learning
•Interpretation of sensory stimuli
•Planning & monitoring movement
Motor functions: (PNS) stimulation of a muscle cell contraction or gland secretion
Main parts & functions of the Brain
Cerebrum: enlarged superior potion of the brain; composed of two haves; right & left cerebra; hemispheres
Diencephalon: buried beneath the cerebral hemispheres; central core of the brain
Cerebellum: posterior & inferior portion of the brain; 2 cerebral hemispheres connected by the corpus callosum
•5 lobes; frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, & the insula
•Contains 4 hollow chambers ventricles
Brainstem: connects the brain & the spinal cord
The distribution and function of the white and gray matter in the cerebral hemispheres as compared to the spinal cord.
White matter & grey matter distribution
White matter: contains myelinated axons
Grey matter: made up of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, & unmyelinated axons
Within the brain: the grey matter is located in the cerebrum’s outer few millimeters & is also scattered throughout its deeper portions; the remainder of the cerebrum is white matter
General Functions of each Lobes of the Cerebral Hemispheres
Frontal Lobe: two anteriormost lobes of the cerebral hemispheres; responsible for planning & executing movement & complex mental functions
Parietal Lobe: lobes of the cerebral hemispheres located posterior to the frontal loves; responsible for processing & integrating sensory information, & also function in attention
Temporal Lobe: cerebral lobes on the lateral surface of the cerebrum; perform functions related to hearing, language, memory, & emotions
Occipital Lobe: the posterior loves of the cerebrum; process all information relating to vision
Insulas: deep lobes of the cerebrum; functions relating to taste (gustatory cortex) & visceral information
Primary Motor Cortex
precentral gyrus of frontal lobe; Plans & executes movement
Primary somatosensory cortex: (S1)
postcentral gyrus of parietal lobe; interprets incoming somatic sensory stimuli
Somatosensory association areas: (S2)
posterior to the primary somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobe; integrates somatic sensory stimuli
Weirneke’s area
an integrative multimodal association area for speech located in the temporal & parietal lobes; responsible for the ability to understand language
Broca’s area
a premotor multimodal association area for speech located in the anterolateral frontal lobe; responsible for the ability to produce language
Primary visual cortex
Posterior occipital lobe; interprets & processes visual stimuli
Primary auditory cortex
superior temporal lobe; processes auditory stimuli
Prefrontal cortex
a multimodal association are in the frontal lobe responsible for many higher mental functions •Modulating behavior •Personality •Learning •Memory •Individual psychological state
