Describing the brain Flashcards

1
Q

What does neurulation refer to?

  1. development of the PNS only
  2. formation of new neurons
  3. development and formation of the neural plate
  4. development of the CNS only
A
  1. development and formation of the neural plate
    - neural plate comes from thickening of the ectoderm and forms the nervous system
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2
Q

Organise the labels below, describing how the neural plate forms?

  • notochord stimulates above ectoderm
  • ectoderm thickens and forms the neural plate
  • mesoderm cells differentiate into notochord (cartilage precursor)
A
  1. mesoderm cells differentiate into notochord (cartilage precursor)
  2. notochord stimulates above ectoderm
  3. ectoderm thickens and forms the neural plate
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3
Q

Once the neural plate has been formed by the stimulation of the ectoderm by the notochord in the mesoderm, what does the neural plate do as part of neurulation?

  1. edges fold in forming a groove
  2. folds of the neural plate fold up and form a groove
  3. cavity forms in the hollow tube created from the neural plate
  4. invaginates forming a 2nd notochord
A
  1. edges fold in forming a groove
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4
Q

What is primary neurulation?

  1. edges fold in forming a groove
  2. folds of the neural plate fold up and form a groove
  3. cavity forms in the hollow tube created from the neural plate
  4. invaginates forming a 2nd notochord
A
  1. folds of the neural plate fold up and form a groove
    - eventually these folds come together and fuse forming a hollow tube
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5
Q

What is secondary neurulation?

  1. edges fold in forming a groove
  2. folds of the neural plate fold up and form a groove
  3. cavity forms in the hollow tube created from the neural plate
  4. invaginates forming a 2nd notochord
A
  1. cavity forms in the hollow tube created from the neural plate
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6
Q

When does neurulation begin?

  1. weeks 1-2
  2. weeks 3-4
  3. weeks 5-6
  4. weeks 7-8
A
  1. weeks 3-4
    - think 3-4 candles on a cake
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7
Q

What 3 important structures are formed from neurulation?

A
  • brain
  • spinal cord
  • PNS and CNS
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8
Q

What 3 important structures are formed from the neural tube?

  1. spinal cord, meninges, bones
  2. spinal cord, muscles, brain
  3. spinal cord, meninges, bones
  4. spinal cord, meninges, brain
A
  1. spinal cord, meninges, brain
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9
Q

The neural tube forms the spinal cord, meninges, brain. If there are defects in the neural tube, this can lead to disorders of the spine and nervous system, one is called spina bifida. What is spina bifida (means split spine in latin)?

  1. posterior neuropore does not close properly
  2. anterior neuropore does not close properly
  3. caudal neuropore does not close properly
  4. cranium neuropore does not close properly
A
  1. posterior neuropore does not close properly
    - leads to a cleft/gap in the spine and spinal cord
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10
Q

What is the term used to describe where the anterior neuropore fails to close?

A
  • anencephaly, greek for “without a brain
  • fatal where baby is born without parts of skull or brain, generally the telencephalon (cerebral hemisphere)
  • this is what was happening with zica virus
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11
Q

There are 2 broad types of spina bifida, occulta (latin for hidden) and cystica, what is the difference?

A
  • occulta = vertebral arch defects (not able to be seen as in the latin name
  • cystica = meninges (and sometime the nerves) project out of vertebrae
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12
Q

Once the neural tube has sealed, bulges begin to form called primary brain vesicles. What are the 3 primary brain vesicles, what are they?

  1. Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon, Rhombencephalon
  2. Telencephalon, Mesencephalon, Rhombencephalon
  3. Prosencephalon, Myclencephalon, Rhombencephalon
  4. Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon, Myclencephalon
A
  1. Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon, Rhombencephalon
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13
Q

Prosencephalon, which is latin for forward, is one of the 3 primary vesicles that form in the brain. Which part of the brain does this go on to form?

  1. hindbrain
  2. midbrain
  3. forebrain
  4. brain stem
A
  1. forebrain
    - same as name origin meaning forward
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14
Q

Mesencephalon, latin for darkened streak as it looks darkened in unstained brain tissue, is one of the 3 primary vesicles that form in the brain. Which part of the brain does this go on to form?

  1. hindbrain
  2. midbrain
  3. forebrain
  4. brain stem
A
  1. midbrain
    - think middle and mesoderm
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15
Q

The Rhombencephalon is one of the 3 brain vesicles, what does it go on to form?

  1. hindbrain
  2. midbrain
  3. forebrain
  4. brain stem
A
  1. hindbrain
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16
Q

Once the neural tube has sealed, bulges begin to form called primary brain vesicles. 3 primary brain vesicles, Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon (think middle) and the Rhombencephalon are formed. What are the 5 secondary vesicles that are formed from these and which primary vesicle do they originate from?

A

1 - Telencephalon (greek meaning end brain) = Prosencephalon

2 - Diencephalon (greek meaning through) = Prosencephalon

3 - Mesencephalon = Mesencephalon

4 - Metencephalon = Rhombencephalon

5 - Myelencephalon = Rhombencephalon

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17
Q

Once the neural tube has sealed, bulges begin to form called primary brain vesicles. 3 primary brain vesicles, Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon (think middle) and the Rhombencephalon are formed, which then go on to form the 5 secondary vesicles depicted in the image below. What do each of the 5 secondary brain vesicles then go on to form?

A

1 - Telencephalon = cerebral hemisphere

2 - Diencephalon = thalamus

3 - Mesencephalon = midbrain

4 - Metencephalon = pons/cerebellum

5 - Myelencephalon = spinal cord

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18
Q

Is the thalamus or hypothalamus higher or lower in the brain?

A
  • thalamus
  • hypo means below
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19
Q

The cerebral hemisphere is split into left and right sides by what?

A
  • longitudinal fissure, also referred to as sagittal fissure
  • fissure means narrow crack of opening
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20
Q

The cerebral cortex is crucial for cognition and can be separated into 4 lobes, what are they?

A

1 - frontal lobe

2 - temportal lobe

3 - parietal lobe

4 - occipital lobe

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21
Q

In the brain there is an uneven surface, with elevations and grooves, what is the name of these and the purpose of having them?

A
  • grooves = sulci (think sinking)
  • elevations = gyri (think growing up)
  • purpose is to increase surface area
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22
Q

What does sulcus mean?

A
  • singular depression
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23
Q

What is the purpose of the central sulcus in the brain, located towards the midbrain, almost parallel with the frontal suture of the skull?

  1. forms the boundary between the frontal and the parietal lobes
  2. forms the boundary between the occipital and the parietal lobes
  3. forms the boundary between the temporal and the parietal lobes
  4. forms the boundary between the frontal and the occipital lobes
A
  1. forms the boundary between the frontal and the parietal lobes
    - indicates change in function
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24
Q

In the brain, there are different terms used to describe the locations, instead of anterior, posterior etc… What are the 4 terms used in the brain and what do they refer to in simple terms?

A

1 - rostal = front

2 - caudal = back

3 - dorsal = top (think fin on dolphin)

4 - ventral = bottom

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25
Q

The central sulcus in the brain divides the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain. In addition, this also identifies a change in function. The frontal lobe is heavily involved in cognitive function. Beyond the central sulcus as we move caudally (backwards), what sort of information does this area of the brain receive?

A
  • somatosensory cortex
  • ability to feel and interpret bodily senses
  • rostral to central sulcus processes information from back of the brain before bringing it to central sulcus
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26
Q

What are some of the primary functions of the frontal lobe?

A
  • executive functions
  • ability to think and consider
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27
Q

What are some of the primary functions of the temporal lobe?

A
  • primary auditory cortex
  • primary olfactory cortex
  • learning and memory
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28
Q

What are some of the primary functions of the parietal lobe?

A
  • primary somatosensory cortex
  • sensations (pain, touch, proprioception)
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29
Q

What is the key function of the occipital lobe?

A
  • primary visual cortex
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30
Q

Using the labels below, label the functional areas of the brain numbered 1-7?

  • visual cortex
  • primary motor cortex
  • olfactory (small) cortex
  • somatosensory cortex
  • gustatory cortex
  • motor speech area of broca
  • auditory cortex
A
  1. primary motor cortex
  2. somatosensory cortex
  3. visual cortex
  4. auditory cortex
  5. olfactory (small) cortex
  6. gustatory cortex
  7. motor speech area of broca
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31
Q

What is the gustatory cortex in the brain?

  1. relates to smelling
  2. relate to tasting in the mouth
  3. relates to sensation of the tongue
  4. relates to sensation of the face
A
  1. relate to tasting in the mouth
    - latin meaning to taste
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32
Q

In the brain what is white and grey matter generally?

A
  • white = myelineated axons
  • grey = mainly neuronal cell bodies (cerebral cortex)
33
Q

What is a nerve tract in the brain?

A
  • a bundle of nerve fibres connecting different parts of the CNS
34
Q

What are the 3 types of nerve tracts in the brain?

  1. projection, association and commissural tracts
  2. accessory, association and commissural tracts
  3. projection, accessory and commissural tracts
  4. projection, association and accessory tracts
A
  1. projection, association and commissural tracts
    * commissural is latin for joining parts
35
Q

There are 3 main tracts in the brain. A projection tract is one of the the 3 types of nerve tracts in the brain. What is the projection tract?

  1. neurons/axons that connect to associated areas in the same cerebral hemisphere
  2. neurons/axons that connect to the opposite cerebral hemisphere
  3. projects from spinal cord and brain stem to the brain
  4. neurons connecting PNS to CNS
A
  1. projects from spinal cord + brain stem to the brain
    - can include efferent + afferent fibres
36
Q

An association tract is one of the the 3 types of nerve tracts in the brain. What is the association tract?

  1. neurons/axons that connect to associated areas in the same cerebral hemisphere
  2. neurons/axons that connect to the opposite cerebral hemisphere
  3. projects from spinal cord and brain stem to the brain
  4. neurons connecting PNS to CNS
A

Association tract:

  • neurons/axons that connect to associated areas in the same cerebral hemisphere
37
Q

A commissural (also called transverse) tract is one of the the 3 types of nerve tracts in the brain. What is the commissural tract?

  1. neurons/axons that connect to associated areas in the same cerebral hemisphere
  2. neurons/axons that connect to the opposite cerebral hemisphere
  3. projects from spinal cord and brain stem to the brain
  4. neurons connecting PNS to CNS
A

commissural tract:

  • neurons/axons that connect to the opposite cerebral hemisphere
    • commissural = greek for connecting sides
38
Q

What is the name of the large white matter tract that connects the two hemispheres of the brain called?

  1. pons
  2. corpus callosum
  3. rostrum
  4. striatum
A
  1. corpus callosum
39
Q

The corpus callosum is a large white matter tract that connects the two hemispheres of the brain. Which type of nerve tracts need to pass through the corpus callosum?

  1. projection
  2. association
  3. commissural
  4. associated
A
  1. commisural (transverse) tract
    - connects left + right hemispheres
40
Q

The corpus callosum, which is latin for tough bundle of fibres connects the left + right hemispheres. What is it?

A

Corpus Callosum:

  • thick bundle of fibres that is a commisural tract
  • connects the left + right cerebral hemispheres
  • largest white matter in body made up of myelineated axons
41
Q

There are 3 parts of the corpus callosum, what are they?

  1. genu, body, splenium
  2. tail, body, splenium
  3. genu, body, tail
  4. head, body, splenium
A

corpus callosum parts:

  • genu** = latin for **bend
  • body
  • splenium** = latin bandage due to its **thickness
42
Q

What key part of the brain that is composed of thick white fibres can we see labelled on the MRI below?

  1. pons
  2. corpus callosum
  3. rostrum
  4. striatum
A

corpus callosum

43
Q

The genu is part of the corpus collosum, what does this mean?

A

genu = flexure/bend, comes from latin meaning knee

44
Q

The splenium is part of the corpus collosum, what does this mean?

A

splenium:

  • pad/patch, latin for bandage
  • due to its thick nature
  • most caudal region
45
Q

What is the limbic system associated with?

  1. cognitive thought
  2. smelling and tase
  3. memory and emotion
  4. sight and soound
A

Limbic system:

  • memory + emotion
  • can often be referred to as a lobe
46
Q

The limbic system is heavily involved in memory + emotion and it spans the telencephalon (cerebral hemisphere) and the diencephalon (thalamus), together referred to as the forebrain. Using the labels below what are the main parts of the limbic system in the image below numbered 1-7?

  • amygdala
  • cingulate cortex
  • hippocampus
  • fornix
  • thalamus
  • mammillary bodies
  • hypothalamus
A
  1. cingulate cortex
  2. fornix
  3. thalamus
  4. hypothalamus
  5. mammillary bodies
  6. amygdala
  7. hippocampus
47
Q

The diencephalon is the central portion of the brain located around the third ventricle, superior to the brainstem (medulla, pons + midbrain), and inferior to the corpus callosum and cerebral cortex that derives from the prosencephalon, primary vesicle. What are the 5 main areas of the diencephalon that we need to be aware of?

A

Diencephalon main areas:

  1. thalamus
  2. hypothalamus
  3. Subthalamus
  4. Epithalamus

Other:

  1. corpus callosum
  2. fornix
  3. mamillary bodies
48
Q

Which part of the brain is labelled in the image, that is central in the brain and part of the diencephalic region of the brain?

  1. thalamus
  2. hypothalamus
  3. amygdala
  4. pons
A
  1. thalamus
49
Q

The thalamus has 2 parts, one in each side of the cerebral hemisphere. What are some of the main roles of the thalamus?

A
    • transmits sensory info to cortex, so being central is important
    • involved in voluntary movement, personality** and **consciousness
50
Q

The thalamus is able to communicate with other regions of the diencephalon. What are the structures that allow this communication to occur called?

A
  • interthalamic adhesions
  • flattened band of tissue
51
Q

Why is the thalamus often referred to a the relay hub?

A
  • as it relays information from sub cortical (below cerebral cortex) to different areas of the cortex
  • essentially ensures everything is transmitted through to the cerebral cortex and vice versa
52
Q

Which part of the brain, that is also part of the diencephalic is labelled here?

  1. thalamus
  2. hypothalamus
  3. amygdala
  4. pons
A

2 hypothalamus

53
Q

What are some of the key functions of the hypothalamus?

A
    • co-ordinate the ANS
    • thermoregulation, feeding, drinking,
    • circadian rhythm, hormone release
    • limbic system info transmission
54
Q

Which gland sits just below the hypothalamus?

A
  • the pituitary gland (sits in sella turcica (turkish for saddle) of the sphenoid bone)
  • master endocrine gland
55
Q

Using the labels below, label the regions of the brain that are associated with the hypothalamus numbered 1-5?

  • hypothalamus (behind pituitary gland)
  • optic chiasm (CN II (2) optic nerve)
  • frontal lobe
  • olfactory bulbs (CN I (1) olfactory nerve)
  • temporal lobe
A
  1. frontal lobe
  2. temporal lobe
  3. olfactory bulbs (CN I (1) olfactory nerve)
  4. optic chiasm (CN II (2) optic nerve)
  5. hypothalamus (behind pituitary gland)
56
Q

Why does the optic chiasm decussate/cross the midline of the brain?

A
  • allows binocular vision
  • binocular vision is a type of vision in which an animal has two eyes capable of facing the same direction to perceive a single three-dimensional image of its surroundings.
57
Q

The mesencephalon + rhombencephalon are 2 of the primary vesicles that form during neuralation that go on to form the midbrain + the hindbrain respectively. What are 2 key parts of the hindbrain that sit ventrally (below) to the midbrain?

A

1 - pons

2 - medulla

in this order

58
Q

The brain stem connect the spinal cord to?

A
  • cortex
59
Q

What are some of the crucial functions of the brain stem, which includes the pons, medulla oblongata?

A
  • respiration
  • cardiovascular centres
  • vomiting centre
  • motor control and sleep
60
Q

What are the cerebral peduncles?

A
  • anterior aspect of the brain stem
  • connects the brain stem to the thalami (pleural thalamus)
61
Q

Does the mid brain contain white or grey matter tracts, and which secondary vesicle does this connect with?

A
  • tracts are always white matter in the brain as they are myelineated
  • diencephalon (thalamus + hypothalamus are part of this)
62
Q

There are 2 superior colliculus, which is latin for upper hill. Where are they located and what is their main function?

A

2 superior colliculus

  • located dorsally on the midbrain
  • eye movements
63
Q

There are 2 inferior colliculus. Where are they located and what is their main function?

A

2 inferior colliculus:

  • located dorsally on the midbrain, ventrally to the superior colliculus
  • hearing
64
Q

Using the labels below, label the 4 key aspects of the midbrain numbered 1-4?

  • substantia nigra
  • cerebral peduncles (connect brain stem to cortex)
  • superior colliculus
  • red nucleus
A
  1. cerebral peduncles (connect brain stem to cortex)
  2. red nucleus
  3. superior colliculus
  4. substantia nigra
65
Q

Where is the substantia niagra, latin for dark black substance, located?

  1. basal ganglia in forebrain
  2. basal ganglia in brain stem
  3. basal ganglia in midbrain
  4. basal ganglia in cerebellum
A
  1. basal ganglia in midbrain
  • the largest nucleus in the midbrain
  • located dorsally (below) to the cerebral peduncles
66
Q

What is the importance of the substantia niagra in the midbrain?

  1. contains dopaminergic neurons needed for movement
  2. contains glutamanergic neurons needed for movement
  3. contains serotonin neurons needed for movement
  4. contains adrenaline neurons needed for movement
A
  1. contains dopamine neurons needed for movement
  • dopaminergic nucleus has a critical role in modulating motor movement
  • Parkinsons patients have defects dopaminergic nucleus
67
Q

What is the main function of the red nucleus?

  1. relay information between the thalamus and cortex
  2. relay information between the brain stem and cortex
  3. relay information between the pons and cortex
  4. relay information between the cerebellum and cortex
A
  1. relay information between the cerebellum + cortex
  • important for co-ordination (arm swinging, babies crawling)
  • descending corticospinal tract is dominant in humans
68
Q

What is one of the key communication functions of the pons, specifically the cerebellar peduncles, latin for bridge?

  1. relay information between the thalamus and cortex
  2. relay information between the brain stem and cerebellum
  3. relay information between the pons and cortex
  4. relay information between the cerebellum and cortex
A
  1. relay information between the brain stem + cerebellum
69
Q

What does peduncle mean?

A
  • stork or feet
70
Q

The pons contain transverse fibres, what are these called and how many are there?

A
  • *Transverse fibres:**
  • cerebellar peduncles that connect cerebellar + brain stem

3 types

  • superior, middle & inferior
71
Q

What is the lowest aspect of the brain stem?

A
  • medulla oblongata
72
Q

The medulla oblongata is the lowest aspect of the brain stem, what are its main functions?

A
  • voluntary movement
  • respiration and cardiac control
73
Q

The medulla oblongata contains the pyramids, which contains the main voluntary motor pathway connecting the brain stem and the spinal cord. What is this tract called?

  1. corticospinal tract
  2. spinothalamic tract
  3. spinocerebellar tract
  4. dorsal column
A
  1. corticospinal tract
74
Q

The cerebellum, latin for little brain, is the tree like structure that sits caudally (behind) to the brain that is part of the hindbraind. Is there grey or white matter in the cerebellum?

A
  • outer grey matter (just like in cerebral)
  • inner white matter
75
Q

The cerebellum, latin for little brain, is the tree like structure that sits caudally (below) to the brain that is part of the hindbraind. Does it have one or 2 hemispheres?

A
  • 2 like the cerebral hemispheres
  • sperated by the falx cerebellar
76
Q

How many lobes does each cerebellum contain?

A
  • 3
  • anterior lobe, flocculonodular and posterior lobe
77
Q

What are some of the main functions of the cerebellum?

A
  • motor control
  • posture
  • coordinate and plan limb movements
  • control eye movements
78
Q

The cerebellum is separated by the vermis, latin for worm. What is the purpose of the vermis?

A
  • associated with bodily posture and locomotion
79
Q

How does the cerebellum connect to the brain stem?

A
  • cerebellar peduncles
  • they are from the pons