CNS Flashcards
cerebrum
largest region, controlling conscious thought, complex movements, and memory
has 2 layers
-outer layer- grey matter contains neuron cell bodies.
inner white matter that contains axons encased in myelin sheaths
frontal lobe
controls movement, language, and other higher thinking functions
temporal
contains the auditory, taste, olfaction and memory
parietal
integrates sensory information related to movement and posture
occipital
contains the vision center
diencephalon
integrates sensory information and motor commands. (thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal gland, part of epithalamus)
thalamus
transfer impulses received from sensory neurons to the correct region of the cerebrum.
hypothalamus
controls many aspects of internal homoeostasis, including body temperature, water balance, and overall metabolism
pineal gland
releases melatonin, to regulate day-night cycles
brain stem
directly attaches the brain to the spinal chord
pons
contains the neurons responsible for controlling breathing ( along with the medulla)
medulla oblongata
lowest part of the brain stem, merging into the spinal cord (controls heart rate, blood pressure, swallowing, vomiting and breathing.)
why does the CNS has more protection than any other part of the body ?
due to the size and complex shape of neuron they are unable to undergo mitosis making them irreplaceable
protection of the CNS
flat bones of skull underneath that the meninges is found
the meninges is formed by three layers
dura mater- outermost layer and thickest
arachnoid mater- network of blood vessels
pia mater- innermost layer
after the meninges what next ?
cerebrospinal fluid- similar to plasma, circulates through a series of ventricles throughout the brain. (provides a watery cushion that protects nervous tissue from trauma)
- a blood- brain barrier, made of capillaries, only allows water, glucose, and amino acids into the brain area. (wastes, proteins, and cells are kept out)