CNS Basics Flashcards
Three key functions of CNS?
Collect - Process - Respond
Four sections of brain?
Cerebrum, Diencephalon, Cerebellum, Brain stem
Why does the brain benefit from having a folded structure?
More folds = more neurons
What does grey matter consist of?
Neuron cell bodies, dendrites, telodendria, synapses
What does white matter consist of?
Myelinated axons
White and grey matter in telencephalon?
Grey outside, white inside
Projection fibres…
Connect HIGHER and LOWER centres e.g. internal capsule
Association fibres…
Within ONE hemisphere
Commissural fibres…
Connect SIMILAR areas in left and right hemispheres e.g. corpus callosum
Five areas of brain + functions?
Frontal = motor, Parietal = somatosensory, Occipital = visual, Temporal = auditory, Insula = gustatory
Left vs right hemisphere functions?
Left = speech, language, writing Right = spacial visualisation and analysis, touch
Basal nuclei function?
Involved with movement control…affects Parkinson’s
Diencephalon function?
Relay and switching centres for some sensory and motor pathways and for control of visceral activities
What two areas are within the diencephalon?
Thamalus and hypothamalus
Function of thamalus?
Looks at salience of information and decides whether or not to pass it through, basal nuclei and cerebellum to cortex
Function of hypothalamus?
Receives information to maintain homeostasis via control of autonomic + endocrine systems…outputs include neural pathways that control autonomic nervous system and hormonal secretion into bloodstream (endocrine)
Function of cerebellum?
Receives information about muscle tone, vestibular, proprioception and the environment, compares/integrates info with movement orders of cerebral cortex and predicts consequences/ adjusts movement commands
Three parts of brain stem?
Mid brain, pons and medulla oblongata.
Function of brain stem?
Basic behaviours for survival - sensory/motor pathways, consciousness, reflex for respiratory and cardiovascular systems
Conus medullaris?
Caudal tip of spinal cord
Cauda equina?
Horses tail = sensory and motor nerve roots
Filum terminale?
Pia mater = anchors conus medullaris to coccyx
White and grey matter organisation in spinal cord?
Opposite - grey inside, white outside
Columns and horns and role?
Dorsal (sensory, Lateral (autonomic), Ventral (motor)
Enlargements in cervical spinal cord?
More neurons = larger cross section area, upper + lower limb operation
Meninges of brain and functions?
Dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater…limit movement of brain, protective, space for CBS fluid and blood vessels
Dura mater?
2 layers - meningeal and periosteal, tough and fibrous
Arachnoid mater?
Translucent spider web membrane
Pia mater?
Very thin delicate membrane
Functions of cerebrospinal fluid?
Support and cushion CNS, maintain environment, distribute hormones/transmitters
