CNS Flashcards
What makes up the hindbrain?
-medulla
-pons
-cerebellum
What makes up the midbrain?
-substantia nigra (SN)
What makes up the forebrain?
-cerebral cortex
-basal ganglia: striatum (caudate & putamen), globus pallidus, sub-thalamic nucleus
-limbic system: hippocampus, anygdala
-dienecephalon: thalamus, hypothalamus
What are the parts of substantia nigra?
-SN pars compacta
-SN pars reticulata
What role does the SN pars compacta play?
-provides input to the basal ganglia, supplies dopamine to the striatum
*undergoes neurodegeneration in PD
What role does the SN pars reticulata play?
-has an output function, relays signals from the basal ganglia to the thalamus
What does the cerebellum do?
-hindbrain
-“little brain”
-governs motor coordination for producing smooth movements
*undergoes neurodegeneration in spinocerebellar ataxias
What does the medulla do?
-hindbrain
-“autonomic functions”
-includes centers for controlling respiration, cardiac function, vasomotor responses, reflexes (coughing)
What does the pons do?
-hindbrain
-“bridge”
-relays signals from the forebrain to the cerebellum
What does the cortex (cerebrum) do?
-forebrain
-processing and interpreting information
-“high-order processes”
-Schizophrenia is considered a disease of the frontal cortex
What does the limbic system do?
-forebrain
-emotions (amygdala)
-memory (hippocampus)
What does the hypothalamus do?
-regulates internal homeostasis, emotions
-hormonal control (through the pituitary gland) and direct neural regulation
-involuntary functions
What does the thalamus do?
-‘relay station’ to and from the cortex
What does the basal ganglia do?
-voluntary motor control, some cognitive functions
What do astrocytes do?
-provides neurons with growth factors, antioxidants
-supports blood-brain barrier
-removes excess glutamate
