Forebrain

Question 1

What is the forebrain?

Answer 1

Cerebral cortex and a collection of deep nuclei derived from telencephalon (basal ganglia and limbic system) and diencephalon (thalamus and hypothalamus).

Heavily involved in emotions, unconscious functions, cognitive

Question 2

Geographically, where is forebrain?

Answer 2

Everything above midbrian (above the tentorium)

Question 3

What separates the globus pallidus and putamen (external) from thalamus (more internal)?

Answer 3

Internal capsule

Question 4

Significance of internal capsule?

Answer 4

Combo of white (mostly) and grey matter that allows communication between deep nuclei and neocortex…also white matter through which long tracts make their way up to cortex

Question 5

What does the nucleus accumbens control?

Answer 5

Reward system

Question 6

Hippocampus and amygdala location with respect to one another

Answer 6

Hippocampus (posterior) amygdala (anterior)

Question 7

What are the front and back parts of the corpus callosum called?

Answer 7

Front: genu

back: splenium

Question 8

TO STUDY THIS ENTIRE LECTURE…LOOK AT PICTURES

Answer 8

YEAH JUST DO IT, IT’S EASIER, USE THESE FOR MINUTE DETAILS

Question 9

What are the 3 thalamus nuclei?

Answer 9

1. ventrolateral (VL) - receives input from basal ganglia and cerebellum, has output to cortex to help with motor control
2. Ventral posterior lateral (VPL) and 3. Ventral posterior medial (VPM) - receive input from somatosensory (DC) and spinothalamic tracts (STT) serving sensation from contralateral face and body. VPL and VPM output to the post-central gyrus of cortex

these nuclei are where the places where STT and DC converge for very first time. At a convergence site, if you lesion, you will lose everything that converges there (i.e. all contralateral sensation). Before that, the pathways are separate

Question 10

What does the hypothalamus do?

Answer 10

Collection of nuclei concerned with autonomic functions, appetite, temperature control, circadian rhythm and endocrine regulation…SUPREME COMMAND OF ENDOCRINE AND AUTONOMIC SYSTEMS

Question 11

What are the hippocampus, amygdala, and septal area/region in charge of? (components of limbic system)

Answer 11

Hippocampus - memory, if damaged new memories may not be formed

amygdala - fear, anxiety

septal area - reward (“sex, drugs, and rock/roll) important in addiction, has nucleus accumbens

Question 12

Decussation of CST?

Answer 12

@Foramen magnum after medullary pyramids (anything below is ipsi, anything above is contra)

Question 13

Interruption of CST leads to what?

Answer 13

Upper motor neuron weakness and hyper-reflexia

Question 14

Decussation of DC

Answer 14

upper spinal cord/lower medulla after necules cuneatus and gracillis

Question 15

Decussation of STT

Answer 15

Crosses immediately at segment of entry

Question 16

Do the basal ganglia only govern motor function?

Answer 16

No. also has a role in thought, focus, and emotions

Question 17

How does cortex talk to basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebellum?

Answer 17

Cortex talks IPSILATERALLY to:
basal ganglia and thalamus (VL) which then talks back to cortex

Talks CONTRALATERALLY to:
cerebllum, then cerebellum info crosses midline again to talk to cortex