General brain anatomy Flashcards
Four lobes of the cerebrum
Frontal
Temporal
Parietal
Occipital
Valleys on the surface of the cerebrum
Sulci
Ridges on the surface of the cerebrum
Gyri
Sulcus which divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe
Central sulcus
Gyrus sitting immediately in front of the central sulcus
Precentral gyrus
Position of the primary motor cortex
Precentral gyrus in the frontal lobe
Term for the distorted map of the human body showing areas of the brain dedicated to sensory and motor functions
Homunculus
Position of the primary somatosensory cortex
Postcentral gyrus in the parietal lobe
Lobe immediately behind the frontal lobe which covers the top of the brain
Parietal lobe
Cortices which have a homunculus representation
Primary motor cortex
Primary somatosensory cortex
Sulcus which divides the frontal lobe from the temporal lobe
Lateral sulcus/Sylvian fissure
Area of the primary gustatory cortex
Insula in the Sylvian fissure
Main gyri within the frontal lobe
Precentral gyrus
Superior frontal gyrus
Middle frontal gyrus
Inferior frontal gyrus
Site of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Middle frontal gyrus
Area thought to be responsible for executive functioning
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Considered the area of motivation
Cingulate gyrus
Sulcus found on the medial aspect of the frontal and parietal lobes which separates them from the cingulate gyrus
Cingulate sulcus
Site of Broca’s area
Inferior frontal gyrus of the dominant hemisphere
Site of Wernicke’s area
Superior temporal gyrus in the dominant hemisphere
Three regions of the inferior frontal gyrus
Opercular part
Triangular part
Orbital part
Considered the area for associative learning, social valuation and decision making
Orbitofrontal cortex in the frontal lobe
Area of the frontal lobe lying just anterior to the primary motor cortex
Premotor cortex
Functions of the premotor cortex
Control of movement
Planning movement
Site of the primary auditory cortex
Superior temporal gyrus
Two gyri which make up the inferior parietal lobe
Supramarginal gyrus
Angular gyrus
Function of the angular gyrus
Complex language functions e.g. reading, writing, interpretation of what has been written
Number processing
Function of the supramarginal gyrus
Interpretation of tactile sensory data
Proprioception
Empathy during social judgements
Site of the primary visual cortex
In and around the calcarine fissure in the occipital lobe
Dominant hemisphere in the majority of right handed people
Left
Percentage of left handed people who are left hemisphere dominant
64%
Percentage of left handed people who are right hemisphere dominant
20%
Percentage of left handed people who show bilateral hemispheric dominance
16%
Most asymmetrical structure in the human brain
Planum temporale
Site of the planum temporale
Superior temporal gyrus
Function of the planum temporale
Language processing - secondary language centre
Hemisphere in which the planum temporale is usually larger
Left
Function of the papez circuit
Control of emotional expression
Elements of the Papez circuit
Hippocampus Fornix Mamillary bodies Mammillothalamic tract Anterior thalamic nucleus Genu of the internal capsule Cingulate gyrus Parahippocampal gyrus Entorhinal cortex Perforant pathway
Functions of the limbic system
Emotion
Behaviour
Long term memory
Olfaction
Structures in the limbic system
Papez circuit Amygdala Basal forebrain including the hypothalamus Nucleus accumbens Orbitofrontal cortex
Functions of the hippocampus
Declarative memory
Spatial processing and navigation
Functions of the amygdala
Regulating emotions including fear and aggression
Emotional aspects of memory formation
Alternative name for the forebrain
Prosencephalon
Alternative name for the midbrain
Mesencephalon
Alternative name for the hindbrain
Rhombencephalon
Structures within the forebrain
Cerebral cortex
Structures within the midbrain
Superior and inferior colliculi Tegmentum - including the red nucleus Cerebral peduncles and cerebral crus Oculomotor and trochlear nerve Raphe nuclei Substantia nigra Ventral tegmental area
Structures within the hindbrain
Medulla oblongata
Pons
Cerebellum
(Collectively the brainstem)
Fibres that connect the two hemispheres of the brain
Corpus callosum
Site of language, logical thinking, and analytical reasoning
Left frontal lobe
Site of non-verbal abilities, imagination, creativity, music and art skills
Right frontal lobe
Neurons which allow the reflection/mirroring of body language, facial expressions, and emotions of others
Mirror neurons
Function of Broca’s area
Co-ordination of fluent speech
Functions of the basal ganglia
Planning and programming of movement
Converting abstract thoughts into voluntary action
Motivation
Addictive behaviours and habit formation
Structures of the basal ganglia
Corpus striatum
Pallidum
Subthalamic nucleus
Substantia nigra
Two striatum contained in the corpus striatum
Dorsal striatum
Ventral striatum
Structures in the dorsal striatum
Caudate
Putamen
Internal capsule
Structures in the ventral striatum
Nucleus accumbens
Olfactory tubercle
Structures of the pallidum
Large globus pallidus
Small ventral pallidum
Name for the combination of the putamen and the globus pallidus
Lentiform nucleus
Structures of the substantia nigra
Pars compacta
Pars reticulata
Five important circuits involving the basal ganglia
Motor circuit
Oculomotor circuit
Dorsolateral prefrontal circuit (executive)
Anterior cingulate circuit (motivation)
Lateral orbitofrontal circuit (social intelligence)
Divisions of the forebrain
Diencephalon
Telencephalon
Structure of the forebrain which develops into the cerebrum
Telencephalon
Structures included in the diencephalon
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Subthalamus
Epithalamus
Functions of the thalamus
Relays sensory signals (except olfactory)
Regulates sleep and wakefulness
Relays cerebellar and basal ganglia information to the cerebral cortex
Largest nucleus of the thalamus
Pulvinar
Function of the pulvinar
Visual attention
Area of the brain where sleep spindles are generated
Thalamus
Functions of the hypothalamus
Secretes endocrine hormones to produce further hormone secretion from the pituitary
Co-ordinates homeostasis
Controls food intake
Regulates fear responses
Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which stimulates the release of TSH from the anterior pituitary
Thyrotropin releasing hormone
Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which stimulates the release of ACTH from the anterior pituitary
Corticotropin releasing hormone
Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which inhibits the release of prolactin from the anterior pituitary
Dopamine
Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which stimulates the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary
Growth hormone releasing hormone
Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which stimulates the release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary
Gonadotropin releasing hormone
Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which inhibits the release of growth hormone and TSH from the anterior pituitary
Somatostatin
Hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary (an extension of the hypothalamus) which causes uterine contraction and lactation
Oxytocin
Hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary (an extension of the hypothalamus) which increases water reabsorption into the circulation, and increases arterial blood pressure
Vasopressin/ADH
Satiety centre of the hypothalamus
Ventromedial hypothalamus
Feeding centre of the hypothalamus
Lateral hypothalamus
Nucleus found in the medulla oblongata which projects fibres to the contralateral cerebellar cortex and aids in motor co-ordination
Inferior olivary nucleus
Difference in lack of motor co-ordination caused by an inferior olivary lesion compared to a cerebellar lesion
Ipsilateral signs in a cerebellar lesion
Contralateral signs in an inferior olivary lesion
Narrow midline zone of the cerebellum
Vermis
Lobes of the cerebellum
Anterior lobe
Posterior lobe
Flocculonodular lobe
Difficulty in coordinating the receiving, processing and expressing of information which may result from disrupted connections between the cerebrum and the cerebellum seen in schizophrenia
Cognitive dysmetria
Structures in the brain stem
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla
Function of the superior colliculus
Ability to move the eyes together
Function of the inferior colliculus
Localises the source of auditory stimuli
Structure the CSF travels to after the lateral ventricle
Foramina of Monroe
Structure the CSF travels to after the foramina of Monroe
3rd ventricle
Structure the CSF travels to after the 3rd ventricle
Aqueduct of Sylvius
Structure the CSF travels to after the Aqueduct of Sylvius
4th ventricle
Structures the CSF travels to after the 4th ventricle
Foramen of Magendie
Foramina of Luschka
Structure the CSF travels to after the foramen of Magendie and foramina of Luschka
Subarachnoid space
Volume of CSF produced daily
300ml
Structure which separates the two lateral ventricles
Septum pellucidum
Cause of non-communicating hydrocephalus
Obstruction to CSF circulation
Common site of obstruction in a non-communicating hydrocephalus
Foramen of Monroe
Cause of communicating hydrocephalus
Impaired CSF reabsorption in the subarachnoid space
Lobe of the brain where forced utilisation behaviour can be seen
Frontal lobe
Area of damage causing forced utilisation behaviour
Frontal lobe superior to the eye
Feature of forced utilisation behaviour
When an object is placed in front of someone with frontal lobe damage they will pick it up and start using it even when asked not to
Structures included in the hippocampal formation
Hippocampus proper
Dentate gyrus
Subiculum
Part of the brain which is the last to mature
Prefrontal cortex
Part of the basal ganglia which contains melanin pigment
Substantia nigra
Feature seen in monkeys with impaired amygdalae
Impaired maternal behaviours
Necessity of the amygdala in learning
Not required
Percentage of the brain occupied by the prefrontal cortex
30%
Location of the calcarine sulcus
Runs from the occipital pole to the parieto-occipital sulcus
Location of the fusiform gyrus
Temporal and occipital lobes
Beneath the parahippicampal gyrus
Above the inferior temporal gyrus
Functions of the fusiform gyrus
Colour recognition
Face and body recognition
Word recognition
Location of the cuneus
Occipital lobe
Behind the parieto-occipital sulcus
Superior to the calcarine sulcus
Function of the cuneus
The contralateral inferior visual field
Location of the lingual gyrus
Occipital lobe
Inferior to the calcarine sulcus
Behind the parahippocampal gyrus which it joins
Location of the cingulate gyrus
Medial aspect of the cerebral cortex
Above the corpus callosum
Function of the red nucleus
Execution of learned behaviour
Coordination of movement
Brodmann areas comprising the postcentral gyrus
1, 2, 3
Brodmann area comprising the precentral gyrus
4
Brodmann area comprising the primary visual cortex
17
Brodmann area comprising the primary auditory cortex
22
Brodmann areas comprising Wernicke’s area
22, 39, 40
Hemisphere associated with pictoral memory
Non-dominant
Peak age for synaptogenesis
First two years of life
Structure where mirror neurons are found
Inferior frontal cortex
Area of the brain the ventral tegmental area is located
Midbrain
Location of the lateral geniculate nucleus
Thalamus
Function of the lateral geniculate nucleus
Visual pathway
Brodmann areas comprising Broca’s area
44, 45
Functions of the caudate nucleus
Spatial processing
Speed and accuracy of movements
Function of the globus pallidus
Works in conjunction with the cerebellum to produce smooth movements - inhibits actions which balances the excitatory cerebellum
Functions of the putamen
Motor movements
Implicit learning
Function of the nucleus accumbens
Part of the reward system
Function of the pars reticulata in the substantia nigra
Processes signals from the basal ganglia to be sent elsewhere
Function of the pars compacta in the substantia nigra
Motor control
Functions of the cerebellar peduncles
Refine motor movements
Learn new motor movements
Turn proprioceptive information into posture and balance
Structures which make up the rhombencephalon
Metencephalon
Myelencephalon
Structures included in the metencephalon
Pons
Cerebellum
Structures included in the myelencephalon
Medulla oblongata
Number of Brodmann’s areas
47
Location of the pineal gland
Between the two hemispheres behind the third ventricle
Three cranial fossae
Anterior
Middle
Posterior
Structures included in the anterior cranial fossa
Frontal lobes
Frontal and ethmoid bones - including the cribriform plate
Lesser wing of the sphenoid
Structures included in the middle cranial fossa
Temporal lobes
Greater wing of sphenoid
Sella turcica
Majority of temporal bones
Structures included in the posterior fossa
Occipital lobes
Cerebellum
Medulla
Occipital bone
Structure which passes through the foramen spinosum
Middle meningeal artery
Fossa the foramen spinosum is located in
Middle fossa
Structure which passes through the foramen ovale
Mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve
Fossa the foramen ovale is located in
Middle fossa
Structures which pass through the foramen lacerum
Small meningeal branches of the ascending pharyngeal artery
Emissary veins from the cavernous sinus
Fossa the foramen lacerum is located in
Middle fossa
Structure which passes through the foramen magnum
Spinal cord
Fossa the foramen magnum is located in
Posterior fossa
Structures which pass through the jugular foramen
CN IX, X, and XI
Fossa the jugular foramen is located in
Posterior fossa
Folding of the dura mater which separates the two cerebral hemispheres
Falx cerebri
Folding of the dura mater which separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum
Tentorium cerebelli
Folding of the dura mater which separates the cerebellar hemispheres
Falx cerebelli
Folding of the dura mater which covers the pituitary gland
Sellar diaphragm
Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is regulation of the circadian rhythm
Suprachiasmatic
Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to secrete GnRH to stimulate LH and FSH secretion from the pituitary, as well as thermoregulation
Preoptic
Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to produce oxytocin and ADH
Supraoptic
Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to regulate the secretion of oxytocin and ADH, and secrete CRH and TRH
Paraventricular
Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to regulate other systems in order to keep cool
Anterior
Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to regulate other systems in order to keep warm
Posterior
Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to secrete dopamine and GnRH
Arcuate
Basal ganglia structure which is part of the forebrain
Nucleus accumbens
Sex in which the asymmetry of the planum temporale is more pronounced
Male
Conditions in which the asymmetry of the planum temporale is less pronounced
Schizophrenia
Stuttering
Dyslexia
Sulcus which is adjacent to both Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area
Sylvian (lateral) sulcus
Areas where the blood brain barrier is fenestrated
Posterior pituitary Pineal body Area postrema Subfornical organ Vascular organ of lamina terminalis Median eminence
Type of junction which joins endothelial cells to make the blood brain barrier
Tight junctions
Solubility of molecules that pass through the blood brain barrier easily
Lipid soluble
Solubility of molecules that do not easily pass through the blood brain barrier
Water soluble
Effect of inflammation on the permeability of the blood brain barrier
Increases
Administration mechanism of drugs which can theoretically cross the blood brain barrier
Nasal
Foramen which is found at the join of the frontal bone with the ethmoid bone
Foramen cecum
Structure the blood brain barrier separates from blood
CSF
Name for the fine, pleat-like gyri on the surface of the cerebellum
Folia
Name of the cerebellar white matter
Arbor vitae
Combined name for areas where the blood brain barrier is fenestrated
Circumventricular organs
Structures the septum pellucidum separates
Lateral ventricles
Loop between the cortex and the basal ganglia
Cortex projects to the striatum
Striatum projects to the internal segment of globus pallidus
Internal segment of globus pallidus projects to thalamus
Thalamus projects to the cortex
Functions of the lingual gyrus
Dreaming
Visual word recognition
Function of the superior frontal gyrus
Laughter
Self-awareness
Location of the parahippocampal gyrus
Surrounds the hippocampus
Function of the parahippocampal gyrus
Memory
Location of the nucleus of Meynert
Substantia innominata
Basal forebrain inferior to the globus pallidus
Area of the brain responsible for moral judgement
Ventromedial prefrontal cortex
Function of the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus
Relay visual signals
Function of the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus
Relay auditory signals
Function of the medial part of the ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus
Relay facial sensation
Function of the lateral part of the ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus
Relay bodily sensation
Function of the ventral anterior and lateral nuclei of the thalamus
Relay motor signals
Two embryonic parts of the brain that make up the prosencephalon
Telencephalon
Diencephalon
Embryonic parts of the brain which make up the rhombencephalon
Metencephalon
Myelencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the cerebral hemispheres arise from
Telencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the corpus callosum arises from
Telencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the lateral ventricles arise from
Telencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the basal ganglia arises from
Telencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the thalamus arises from
Diencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the hypothalamus arises from
Diencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the subthalamus arises from
Diencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the epithalamus arises from
Diencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the optic nerves arise from
Diencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the third ventricle arises from
Diencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the midbrain arises from
Mesencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the cerebral aqueduct arises from
Mesencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the pons arises from
Metencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the cerebellum arises from
Metencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the superior part of the fourth ventricle arises from
Metencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the inferior part of the fourth ventricle arises from
Myelencephalon
Embryonic part of the brain the medulla oblongata arises from
Myelencephalon
Three layers of the meninges
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
Outermost layer of the meninges
Dura mater
Middle layer of the meninges
Arachnoid mater
Inner layer of the meninges
Pia mater
Embryonic part of the brain the retina develops from
Diencephalon
Part of the cerebellum whose purpose is balance and spatial coordination
Vestibulocerebellum
Part of the cerebellum whose function is fine tuned movements
Spinocerebellum
Part of the cerebellum whose function is planning and assessment of movement
Cerebrocerebellum
Function of the fornix
Major output tract of the hippocampus
Functions of the ventral tegmental area
Reward system, motivation, addiction
Orgasm
Structures included in the pons
Nuclei of cranial nerves V to VIII Lateral lemniscus - main auditory tract of the brainstem Locus coeruleus Reticular formation Medial longitudinal fasciculus Trapezoid body
Function of the trapezoid body in the pons
Part of the auditory pathway where some axons decussate
Function of the locus coeruleus
Site of synthesis of noradrenaline
Meaning of the name locus coeruleus
Blue spot
Function of the raphe nuclei found in various parts of the brainstem
CNS site of synthesis of serotonin
Feedback to the suprachiasmatic nucleus to control the circadian rhythm
Structures included in the medulla oblongata
Cranial nerves IX to XII
Pyramidal tracts
Inferior olivary nucleus
Fasciculus gracilis and cuneatus
Function of the pyramidal tracts
Conduct impulses from the brain to the cranial nerves or spinal cord to control motor movement
Function of the cuneate and gracile nuclei
Make up the dorsal column nuclei and carry fine touch and proprioceptive information from the body to the brain
Lobe the hippocampus is found in
Medial temporal lobe
Lobe responsible for the interpretation of sensory stimuli
Parietal
Target for deep brain stimulation treatment of depression due to its role in anticipating and experiencing pleasure
Nucleus accumbens
Bone which the sella turcica is found in
Sphenoid bone
Structure found in the sella turcica
Pituitary gland
Structure of the brain which controls breathing and heartbeat
Medulla
Area of the brain which produces visual imagery
Medial occipital cortex
Area of the brain which processes the meanings of the actions of others
Superior temporal sulcus
Area of the brain which is involved in working memory
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Area of the brain which is activated in states of response conflict e.g. the stroop test
Anterior cingulate
Term for right-left asymmetries in the frontal and parieto-occipital regions of the brain
Cerebral torque
Structure which can pass through the blood brain barrier via the L-type amino acid transporter
L-DOPA
State of molecules which can pass through the blood brain barrier
Gas
Size of molecules which can pass through the blood brain barrier
Small
Percentage of the cerebrum comprised of the frontal lobe
37-41%
Percentage of the cerebrum comprised of the temporal lobe
22-24%
Percentage of the cerebrum comprised of the parietal lobe
19-20%
Percentage of the cerebrum comprised of the occipital lobe
18-19%
Lateralisation of the transverse temporal gyrus (Heschl gyrus) in a healthy right handed person
Larger on the left
Sex where asymmetry of the planum temporale is more pronounced
Male
Part of the brain which mediates engagement and disengagement of attention
Medial parietal cortex
