Chapter 14 Part 2 Flashcards
what is the most inferior of the brain regions?
the medulla oblongata
ALL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD involves tracts that ascend or descend through the….
medulla oblongata
true or false..
the medulla oblongata is a very busy place
TRUE
all communication between the brain and spinal cord passes in ascending or descending tracts through the medulla oblongata
the inferior portion of the medulla oblongata resembles….
the spinal cord – small central canal
as one ascend the medulla oblongata, the central canal opens into…
the 4th ventricle
the CSF circulates into the subarachnoid space through which structures?
2 lateral apertures and one median aperture
which matter contains ascending and descending tracts?
white matter (myelinated axons = faster)
name the functions of the medulla oblongata
-relays sensory info to the thalamus and other parts of the brain stem
-has AUTONOMIC CENTERS for the regulation of visceral function (cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive system activities)
what links the cerebellum with the midbrain, diencephalon, cerebrum, and spinal cord?
the pons
name the functions of the pons
-relays sensory information to the cerebellum adn thalamus
-subconscious somatic and visceral motor centers
name the functions of the cerebellum
-coordinate COMPLEX somatic motor patterns
-adjust the output of other somatic motor centers in the brain and spinal cord
-HELPS MAINTAIN BALANCE AND EQUILIBRIUM
What are Purkinje cells?
cells in the cerebellar cortex.
they are huge and highly branched with extensive dendrites to form up to 200,000 synapses
what is ataxia?
what can cause it?
ataxia = a disturbance in muscular coordination
caused by permanent damage to the cerebellum by trauma or stroke. OR temporarily affected by drugs such as alcohol
in severe ataxia, person cannot sit or stand without assistance
what is the function of the midbrain?
-process visual and auditory data
-generate reflexive somatic motor responses
-maintain consciousness
the diencephalon consists of….
the epithalamus
thalamus
hypothalamus
the _____ is the roof of the diencephalon, superior to the 3rd ventricle
epithalamus
the posterior portion of the epithalamus contains the…
pineal gland
explain what the pineal gland is
an endocrine structure that secretes melatonin
most of the neural tissue of the diencephalon is concerned where?
the left and right thalamus
what forms the walls of the diencephalon?
what forms the floor of the diencephalon?
lateral walls = the left and right thalamus
floor = hypothalamus
ascending sensory information from the spinal cord or cranial nerves synapses in a nucleus ______(where) before reaching the cerebral cortex and our conscious awareness
in the left or right thalamus
what is the function of the thalamus
has relay and processing centers for sensory information
what is the function of the hypothalamus
has centers controlling emotions, autonomic functions, and hormone production
what is the “link” between the nervous and endocrine systems?
the hypothalamus
on each side of the diencephalon, the _______ is the final relay point for ascending sensory information that will be projected to the primary sensory cortex
thalamus
explain how the thalamus passes on the sensory info to the primary sensory cortex
the thalamus acts as a FILTER, passing on only a small portion of the arriving sensory information
besides passing on filtered sensory information to the primary cerebral cortex, what else does the thalamus do?
coordinates the activities of the basal nuclei and cerebral cortex by relaying information between them
what separates the left and right thalamus from each other?
the third ventricle
explain how the hypothalamus coordinates neural and endocrine activities
by inhibiting or stimulating endocrine cells in the pituitary gland through the production of REGULATORY HORMONES
Besides regulatory hormones to regulate the pituitary gland, what other 2 hormones does the hypothalamus secrete and what is their function?
ADH (antidiuretic hormone)
OXT (oxytocin)
ADH – restricts water loss by the kidneys
OXT – stimulates smooth muscle contractions in the uterus and mammary glands of females, and prostate glands of males
ADH is produced where and by which nucleus?
a nucleus in the hypothalamus called the SUPRAOPTIC NUCLEUS
Oxytocin is produced where and by what specific nucleus?
in the hypothalamus by PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS