CNS + brain Flashcards
3 structures that protect the CNS
bone
meninges
cerebrospinal fluid
how does bone protect the CNS?
cranium protects brain
vertebral canal protects spinal cord
what are the meninges and their function?
- 3 layers of connective tissue which serve as a protective barrier that safeguard CNS organs against trauma
- connects brain and spinal cord to skull and spinal canal
- contain blood vessels that deliver blood to CNS tissue
- produces CFS
3 layers of meninges
- dura mater
- arachnoid mater
- pia mater
what is the dura mater?
- outer meningeal layer
- tough and fibrous > provides a layer of protection
- sticks closely to bones of the skull
on inside of vertebral canal - not so close-fitting
what is the arachnoid mater?
- middle meningeal layer
- loose mesh of fibres
what is the pia mater?
- the inner meningeal layer
- far more delicate
- contains many blood vessels and sticks closely to surface of the brain and spinal cord
what is cerebrospinal fluid and where is it produced?
- found between inner and middle layer of meninges
- clear, watery fluid which circulates nutrients absorbed by blood and collects waste
what are the functions of the cerebrospinal fluid?
- protection > acts as a shock absorber, cushioning shocks CNS will sustain
- support >brain is suspended inside the cranium and floats in the fluid surrounding
- transport > formed from blood, and circulates around through the CNS before reentering the blood
takes nutrients to cells and removes wastes
4 structural features of the cerebrum
- largest part of the brain
- surface is folded into convolutions to increase SA
- outer surface of thick grey matter - cerebral cortex
- white matter below the cortex
what is the longitudinal fissure
- deepest fissure
- separates cerebrum into 2 halves
what are the 5 lobes
- frontal lobe
- parietal lobe
- temporal lobe
- occipital lobe
- insula
what are the 6 functions of the frontal lobe
- thinking
- problem-solving
- emotions
- personality
- language
- control of movement
what are the 5 functions of the parietal lobe?
- processing temperature
- touch
- taste
- pain
- movement
what are the two functions of the temporal lobe?
- processing memories and liking them with senses
- receives auditory info
what is the function of the occipital lobe?
vision
what are the 2 functions of the insula?
- deep inside the brain
- recognition of different senses and emotions, addiction and psychiatric disorders
what are the 3 functional areas of the cortex?
sensory areas
motor areas
association areas
what is the basal ganglia?
- additional grey matter deep inside cerebrum
- consist of groups of nerve cells bodies associated with control of skeletal muscles = initiate desired movements and inhibit unwanted movements
what is white matter?
made up of myelinated axons
what are tracts?
bundles of nerve fibers