CNS: brain anatomy and function

Question 1

4 functions of the brain

Answer 1

registering sensations, correlating them with one another and with stored information

making decisions and taking action

intellect, emotions, behaviour and memory

directs behaviour towards others

Question 2

Blood Brain Barrier
2 structure
2 function

Answer 2

tight junctions set endothelial cells of brain capillaries and thick basement membrane surround capillaries

astrocyte processes contact capillaries and maintain permeability of tight junctions

protect against; proteins, antibiotic drugs, toxins

permeable to; water soluble substances, ions, creatine etc

Question 3

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

3 structure
3 function

Answer 3

clear colourless liquid
total volume - 80-150mLs
composed of water, glucose, proteins, lactic aids, urea, cations, anions and WBC

mechanical protections (shock absorption)
homeostatic function 
circulation (medium for exchange of nutrients and waste product)

Question 4

Cerebrum

2 layers. what are they?

Answer 4

Cerebral cortex
region of grey matter forms outer rim & billions of neurons arranges in layers

folds = gyri
shallow grooves = sulci
fissure = deep groves between folds

Cerebral white matter
region of white matter beneath cerebral cortex
composed of myelinated neurons

Question 5

Cerebrum - basal nuclei
1 structure
3 function

Answer 5

3 pairs masses of grey matter

regulate initiation and termination of movement
regulate emotional behaviours
initiate and terminate cognitive processes

Question 6

Limbic system
2 structure
2 function

Answer 6

ring of structures on inner border or cerebrum
composed of multiple structure (hippocampus, amygdala etc)

faction
memory

Question 7

3 functional organisations of cerebrum

Answer 7

sensory areas
association areas
motor areas

Question 8

Diencephalon
3 structure
1 function

Answer 8

central core of tissue superior to midbrain
contains numerous nuclei
surrounded by cerebral hemispheres, surrounds 3rd ventricle

varierty of sensory and motor processing between higher and lower brain centres

Question 9

Thalamus
2 structure
2 function

Answer 9

about 80% of diencephalon
7 paired oval masses of grey matter

serves as relay stations for sensory impulses to cerebral cortex
role in awareness, acquisition of knowledge, emotions, memory
transmits motor information from cerebellum and basal nuclei to cerebral cortex

Question 10

Hypothlamus
2 structure
2 function

Answer 10

locate inferior to thalamus
about 12 nuclei in 4 major groups

major regulator of body homeostasis
controls ANS
produces hormones

Question 11

Epithalamus
2 structure
2 function

Answer 11

superior and posterior to thalamus
composed of pineal glad and habenular nuclei

pineal glad - regulates circadian rhythms via melatonin
habenular nuclei - olfaction, emotional response to odours

Question 12

Brain stem
location
composed of (4)

Answer 12

between spinal cord and diencephalon

midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, reticular formation

Question 13

Midbrain (brain stem)
2 structure
2 function

Answer 13

inferior to diencephalon and superior to pons
contains both nuclei and sensory motor tracts

reflex centre for visual activités
centre for startle reflex

Question 14

Pons (brain stem)
3 structure
1 function

Answer 14

locates superior to medulla oblongata, anterior to cerebellum
contins sensory and motor tracts and nuclei
bridge that connects parts of the brain to one another

helps control breathing

Question 15

medulla oblongata (brain stem)
2 structure
2 function

Answer 15

located inferior to pons, continuous with superior portion of spinal cords
on anterior aspect forms pyramids

information in and out of cerebellum
respiratory centre ; sets basic rhythm of breathing

Question 16

Reticular formation
2 structure
2 functions

Answer 16

small clusters of neuronal cell bodies and bundles of myelinated axons
contains RAS

ascending to cerebral cortex
descending to cerebellum and spinal cord

Question 17

Cerebellum
3 structure
3 function

Answer 17

located posterior to medulla and pons and inferior to posterior portion of cerebrum
2 hemispheres
outer is grey matter whilst inner is white

smooths and coordinates contractions of skeletal muscles
regulates posture and balance
role in cognition and language processing

Question 18

Cranial nerves
how many are there?
are they apart of PNS, ANS or CNS
what is their general function

Answer 18

12 pairs
PNS
function as either motor, sensory or both