Functions of Major Brain Regions

Question 1

localizes and interprets sensory inputs, controls voluntary and skilled skeletal muscle activity, functions in intellectual and emotional processing

Answer 1

cortical gray matter

Question 2

subcortical motor centers, help control skeletal muscle movements

Answer 2

basal nuclei

Question 3

what makes up the cerebral hemispheres

Answer 3

cortical gray matter, basal nuclei

Question 4

relays sensory impulses to cerebral cortex for interpretation, relays impulses between cerebral motor cortex and lower (subcortical) motor centers, including cerebellum, involved in memory processing

Answer 4

thalamus

Question 5

chief integration center of autonomic (involuntary) nervous system, regulates body temperature, food intake, water balance, thirst, and biological rhythms and drives, regulates hormonal output of anterior pituitary gland, acts as an endocrine organ, producing posterior pituitary hormones ADH and oxytocin

Answer 5

hypothalamus

Question 6

what makes up the diencephalon

Answer 6

thalamus and hypothalamus

Question 7

includes cerebral and diencephalon structures (eg, hypothalamus and anterior thalamic nuclei), mediates emotional response, involved in memory processing

Answer 7

limbic system

Question 8

Contains visua (superior colliculi) and auditory (inferior colliculi) reflex centers, contains subcortical motor centers, contains nuclei for cranial nerves III and IV, contains projection fibers

Answer 8

midbrain

Question 9

relays information from the cerebrum to the cerebellum, cooperates with the medullary respiratory rate and depth, contains nuclei of cranial nerve V-VII, contains projection fibers

Answer 9

pons

Question 10

relays ascending sensory pathway impulses from skin and proprioceptors through nuclei cuneatus and gracilis, contains visceral nuclei controlling heart rate, blood vessel diameter, respiratory rate, vomiting, coughing, etc., relays sensory information to the cerebellum through inferior olivary nuclei, contains nuclei of cranial nerves VIII-XII, contains projection fibers, site of decussation of pyramids

Answer 10

medulla oblongata

Question 11

a functional system, maintains cerebral cortical alertness (reticular activating system), filters out repetitive stimuli, helps regulate skeletal and visceral muscle activity

Answer 11

reticular formation

Question 12

processes information from cerebral motor cortex, proprioceptors, and visual and equilibrium pathways, provides “instructions” to cerebral motor cortex and subcortical motor centers, resulting in smooth, coordinated skeletal muscle movements, responsible for proper balance and posture

Answer 12

cerebellum

Question 13

what makes up the brain stem

Answer 13

midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, reticular formation