Gross Anamtomy Of Brain And Spinal Cord Flashcards
When controlling skeletal muscles of the body the left hand side of the brain controls which side of the body
The brain is split into two hemispheres ( left and right) and each hemisphere controls the contralateral side of the body
Which is the dominant cerebral hemisphere and what is that more responsible for
For 90% of people the left hemisphere is the dominant one
It is responsible for complex functions such as language, reading, writing and speech
What is the non dominant hemisphere more specialised for
The right hemisphere tends to be more for non verbal functions such as the orientation of the body in relation to its environment, visual experience and interperance of musical pattens
It is also responsible for throughout process involving emotion and intuition
How are the two hemispheres connected and what kinds of of information is transferred here
Via the corpus callosum
Information is transferred between the hemispheres for interpretation, decision making and comparison.
What s the main function gyri ( the ridges) and sulci ( the grooves)
They function to increase the surface area of the brain
Discuss white and gray mater in relation to the brain
The outer surface of the brain ( cerebral cortex) is made up of 6 layers of neuronal cell bodies which constitute the gray matter
More interiorly the axons of these cells are myelinated which gives them a whitish appearance - white mater
GRAY MATTER SURROUNDS WHITE MATTER IN BRAIN
In the spinal cord how does the organisation of the gray and white mater differ form the brain
In the brain the gray surrounds the white mater
the spine is the OPPOSITE
In the spine the gray mater is enclosed by white matter
Which fissure divides the left and right hemispheres
The longitudinal fissure
The cerebrum contains the cerebral cortex.
Discuss what the cerebrum is responsible for
Higher brain activities including memory,intelligence and personality
Aswell as the interpretation of impulses from sense organs and initiation of voluntary muscle movement.
What is the main function of the cerebellum
Control of balance on IPSILATERAL side
What separates the two lateral hemispheres of the cerebellum
The VERMIS
What are the ridges in the cerebellum called
Folia
This means ‘leaves’’ and when looking at the saggital section of cerebellum can see that it is almost tree like
What are the three elements of the brain stem
Midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata
What is the function of the brain stem
It connects the brain to the spinal cord
Which cranial nerves are associated with the midbrain
Midbrain lies at the junction of the middle and posteior cranial fossa
Cranial nerve - 3 and 4
Where is pons located and which cranial nerves are associated with it
Lies in the anterior part of the cranial fossa
Cranial nerves - trigeminal nerve
Where is the medulla and which cranial nerves are associated with it
Lies in the posterior cranial fossa and is the part which is containing with the spinal cord.
CN - 9,10 and 12
A few cranial nerves emerge at the junction o pons and medulla oblongata, which are they
Cranial nerves 6,7 and 8
What is the central core of the brain and where does it sit
The diencephalon ( epithalamus, subthlamus hypothalamus and thalamus ) forms the central core of the brain.
It sits just superior to the brain stem
The central sulcus is responsible for separating which lobes
The frontal and parietal lobes
Which lobes does the lateral sulus separate
The lateral sulus separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal
If the lateral sulus is pulled apart at lines called the opercula what will be revealed
A small part of the cerebral cortex called the insula
This is sometimes regarded as the 5th lobe.
Where is the prefrontal cortex located
It is in the frontal lobe
What is the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe responsible for?
It is reponsible for problem solving,complex planning and desiccant making.
This area is responsible for a persons personality - it regulates a persons depth of feeling and interpretation
It also coordinates information form all cortical association areas
What is the Phineas Gage case?
A rod went through his left frontal lobe causing significant damage to his personality
What is the function of the motor cortex in the frontal lobe?
Planning, control and execution of voluntary movement
The premotor cortex( otherwise known as the somatic motor assoaction area) is located in the motor cortex of the frontal lobe.
What is its function?
This mainly coordinates learned movements
Which cortex is located in the pre central gyrus?
The primary motor cortex is located in the precentral gyrus and this is a key area for control of voluntary motor functions and movements.
Discuss how a contraction is generated from the primary motor cortex
When a certain motor neuron is stimulated in the primary motor cortex, a contraction is generated in a specific skeletal muscle and this produces isolated movement on the opposite side of the body as well as a contraction of muscles groups associated with the action.
Where is Broca’s area and what does it do
Broca’s area is found in the frontal lobe usually in the left hemisphere.
It’s function is in the production of speech, this areas also regulates breathing patterns while speaking and vocalisations required from normal speech
What is brocas asphasia?
In Broca’s asphasia the patient comprehends sufficiently however cannot form the words and if they attempt to speak it comes out jumbled and unintelligible.
Speech production and writing are usually both affected which is very frustrating for the patient.
What is the main function of the parietal lobe
Processing of sensory information
How is the paretial lobe divided from the Occipital lobe?
It’s divsion form the occipital lobe on medial side by pariocciptial sulcus
Where is the primary sensory cortex located and what is its function
The primary sensory cortex is located in the post central gyrus in the parietal lobe.
It is responsible for tactile sensation ( pain,temp,pressure, touch)
Discuss how the primary sensory cortex relays information
It receives the somatic sensory from receptors across the body, which are relayed via the nucleus of the thalamus