Chapter 1.3 Flashcards
What three layers is the brain covered by? What function do these three layers play? What are their names?
- it is covered by the meninges
- > the meninges helps protect the brain
- > it keeps the brain anchored to the skull
- > it also resorbs cerebrospinal fluid
- the three layers names are:
- > pia(inner layer)->closest to the cortex
- > arachnoid(middle layer)
- > dura(outer layer)->closest to bone
What is cerebrospinal fluid? Where is it produced?
- cerebrospinal fluid is the aqueous solution
- > on which the brain and spinal cord rest
- it is produced by ventricles in the brain
Describe the general human evolution of the brain. In terms of the hindbrain, midbrain and the forebrain. Also in terms of the brainstem, limbic system and the cerebral cortex.
- so hindbrain and midbrain were structures that evolved earlier
- they then formed the brainstem
- > which is the most primitive part of the brain
- forebrain developed later
- > including the limbic system which controls pain, aggression, fear, pleasure, etc
- the most recent development has been the cerebral cortex
- > it is involved in memory, planning problem solving, etc
Where does the brain develop from in prenatal life? What is it first composed of and what does it then develop into in terms of the number of swellings?
- it develops from the neural tube
- starts out with 3 swellings
- > prosencephalon(fore), Mesencephalon(mid) and rhombencephalon(hindbrain)
- it ends up with 5 swellings in the embryo
- the prosencephalon divides into:
- > telencephalon and the diencephalon
- the rhombencephalon divides into:
- > metencephalon and the myelencephalon
Describe the functions of the hindbrain? Where is it located? Note it is referred to as the rhombencephalon
- it is located where the brain meets the spinal cord
- it is involved in breathing, digestion, motor coordination and arousal processes
- > arousal processes= sleeping/waking
-it is basically involved in the processes that control vital function
What is the myelencephalon referred to as? What are their functions
- it is the medulla oblongota
- > controls vital functions
- > such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure
What is the metencephalon composed of? What are their functions
- it is composed of the cerebellum and the pons
- pons is involved in the sensory and motor pathways between the medulla and the cortex
- cerebellum is involved in coordination of body movements, posture and balance
- > damage=clumsiness, slurred speech and loss of balance
What is the mesencephalon composed of? What are their functions
- mesencephalon is composed of the colliculi
- > involved in reflexes initiated by auditory/visual stimuli
- superior colliculi is involved in audition
- inferior colliculi is involved in vision
- > has a role in reflexive reactions to sudden noises
What is the diencephalon composed of? What are its function?
- thalamus-> sensory relay station
- hypothalamus->hunger/thirst and emotion
- pineal gland
- posterior pituitary gland
What is the telencephalon composed of? What are its functions?
- cerebral cortex->complex perceptual, cognitive and behavioral processes
- basal ganglia->movement
- limbic system-> emotion and memory
What is neuropsychology
- refers to the study of the functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the brain
- it is most applied in research settings
How can brain lesions be done with electrodes? How are these electrodes inserted
- done with electrodes that selectively apply heat, cold, or electricity to a specific part of the brain
- placed with high accuracy due to stereotactic instruments
What does electrical stimulation result in
- it results in cortical maps
- patient has to be awake and alert during these stimulations
- > local anesthesia is required
Is EEG invasive?
- no
- > it is done by placing several electrodes along the scalp
- > research on sleep seizures and brain lesions rely on EEG
What is regional cerebral blood flow
- detects broad patterns of neural activity
- > based on increasing blood flow to different parts of the brain
- based on the assumption that when a specific part of the brain is activated
- > blood flow to that region of the brain is increased
