Gross Anamtomy Of Brain And Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

When controlling skeletal muscles of the body the left hand side of the brain controls which side of the body

A

The brain is split into two hemispheres ( left and right) and each hemisphere controls the contralateral side of the body

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2
Q

Which is the dominant cerebral hemisphere and what is that more responsible for

A

For 90% of people the left hemisphere is the dominant one

It is responsible for complex functions such as language, reading, writing and speech

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3
Q

What is the non dominant hemisphere more specialised for

A

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

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4
Q

How are the two hemispheres connected and what kinds of of information is transferred here

A

Via the corpus callosum

Information is transferred between the hemispheres for interpretation, decision making and comparison.

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5
Q

What s the main function gyri ( the ridges) and sulci ( the grooves)

A

They function to increase the surface area of the brain

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6
Q

Discuss white and gray mater in relation to the brain

A

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

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7
Q

In the spinal cord how does the organisation of the gray and white mater differ form the brain

A

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

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8
Q

Which fissure divides the left and right hemispheres

A

The longitudinal fissure

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9
Q

The cerebrum contains the cerebral cortex.

Discuss what the cerebrum is responsible for

A

Higher brain activities including memory,intelligence and personality

Aswell as the interpretation of impulses from sense organs and initiation of voluntary muscle movement.

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10
Q

What is the main function of the cerebellum

A

Control of balance on IPSILATERAL side

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11
Q

What separates the two lateral hemispheres of the cerebellum

A

The VERMIS

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12
Q

What are the ridges in the cerebellum called

A

Folia

This means ‘leaves’’ and when looking at the saggital section of cerebellum can see that it is almost tree like

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13
Q

What are the three elements of the brain stem

A

Midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata

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14
Q

What is the function of the brain stem

A

It connects the brain to the spinal cord

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15
Q

Which cranial nerves are associated with the midbrain

A

Midbrain lies at the junction of the middle and posteior cranial fossa

Cranial nerve - 3 and 4

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16
Q

Where is pons located and which cranial nerves are associated with it

A

Lies in the anterior part of the cranial fossa

Cranial nerves - trigeminal nerve

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17
Q

Where is the medulla and which cranial nerves are associated with it

A

Lies in the posterior cranial fossa and is the part which is containing with the spinal cord.

CN - 9,10 and 12

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18
Q

A few cranial nerves emerge at the junction o pons and medulla oblongata, which are they

A

Cranial nerves 6,7 and 8

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19
Q

What is the central core of the brain and where does it sit

A

The diencephalon ( epithalamus, subthlamus hypothalamus and thalamus ) forms the central core of the brain.

It sits just superior to the brain stem

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20
Q

The central sulcus is responsible for separating which lobes

A

The frontal and parietal lobes

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21
Q

Which lobes does the lateral sulus separate

A

The lateral sulus separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal

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22
Q

If the lateral sulus is pulled apart at lines called the opercula what will be revealed

A

A small part of the cerebral cortex called the insula

This is sometimes regarded as the 5th lobe.

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23
Q

Where is the prefrontal cortex located

A

It is in the frontal lobe

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24
Q

What is the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe responsible for?

A

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

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25
Q

What is the Phineas Gage case?

A

A rod went through his left frontal lobe causing significant damage to his personality

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26
Q

What is the function of the motor cortex in the frontal lobe?

A

Planning, control and execution of voluntary movement

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27
Q

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?

A

This mainly coordinates learned movements

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28
Q

Which cortex is located in the pre central gyrus?

A

The primary motor cortex is located in the precentral gyrus and this is a key area for control of voluntary motor functions and movements.

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29
Q

Discuss how a contraction is generated from the primary motor cortex

A

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.

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30
Q

Where is Broca’s area and what does it do

A

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

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31
Q

What is brocas asphasia?

A

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.

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32
Q

What is the main function of the parietal lobe

A

Processing of sensory information

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33
Q

How is the paretial lobe divided from the Occipital lobe?

A

It’s divsion form the occipital lobe on medial side by pariocciptial sulcus

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34
Q

Where is the primary sensory cortex located and what is its function

A

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)

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35
Q

Discuss how the primary sensory cortex relays information

A

It receives the somatic sensory from receptors across the body, which are relayed via the nucleus of the thalamus

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36
Q

What is Sensory homoculus?

A

Specific area of the body are mapped to specific areas of the cortex and this is often represented by an image called the sensory homunculus

37
Q

The somatic association area located in the parietal lobe is responsible for what?

A

Integration of sensory information, spatial perception( Visuspaital perception), spatial attention and cognitive functions

38
Q

A pound coin is placed into a patients hand and they are able to identify what it is with their eyes closed.

What part of the brain is responsible for this visuospatial perception

A

The somatic sensory association area in the parietal lobe, it not only receives information concerning size and shape of object but also relates to past sensory experiences and from this the object can be interpreted and recognised

39
Q

Large lesions or atrophy of the parietal lobe such as in Alzheimer’s/stroke will result in what symptoms?

A

The may struggle with navigation and visuospatial tasks are disrupted.

As well as this a stroke on one side causes the patient to neglect there works on the opposite side - e.g stroke on right patient contra lateral side compromised

40
Q

What is somatotopic localisation

A

Specific ares of the Body directly correspond to a specific point in brain, both the motor cortex and somatosensory cortex are divided and mapped to specific areas of the body

41
Q

Why is the figure in somatotopic localisation so distorted

A

The reason the figure is distorted is that the area allocated to specific part of the body represents the complexity of motor and sensory reception

42
Q

Why is there a 2nd head on the somatosensory cortex of somatotopic localisation?

A

Sensory perception of the head and the neck is located separately from and occupies a much smaller area than the extensive perception of face and sensory organ.

43
Q

What is the clinical relevance of the mapping of the brain?

A

Clinically the fact that the regions of the body map to regions of the brain means that is there is a lesion in that part of the brain, then the paralysis of some but not other parts of the body might give a due as to the location of the Lesion

44
Q

What is the occipital lobe mainly responsible for?

A

It is the visual processing centre of the brain

45
Q

The visual cortex is located in the occipital lobe, how is the visual stimuli processed

A

The visual cortex receives visual information relayed via the thalamus and it allows for consious perception of visual stimuli

46
Q

Where is the primary visual cortex located

A

In the occipital lobe located around the calcarine sulcus

47
Q

What is the secondary visual area

A

This is also located in the occipital lobe, and it surrounds the primary visual cortex - its function is too interpret and relate the visual info received by the primary visual area to past visual experiences thus enabling the invidual to recognise and appreciate what the are seeing.

48
Q

What is the main function of the temporal lobe?

A

Processes sensory information

49
Q

How is the temporal lobe separated from the frontal and parietal lobe

A

By the lateral sulcus

50
Q

Where is the auditory cortex located and what is it responsible for

A

It is located in the temporal lobe and it is responsible for hearing,speech and words and pitch, tone(music)

51
Q

Where are long term memories and olfactory and hearing related memories stored

A

In the temporal lobe in the auditory cortex

52
Q

Wernickes areas is located in the temporal lobe

What is it responsible for

A

It permits understanding of written and spoken language; enables a person to read a sentence, understand it and say it out loud

53
Q

Broca’s and wernickes area are connected by a bundle of nerve fibres, what is this nerve bundle called

A

Arcuate fasciculus

54
Q

What happens to a person who has wernickes aphasia

A

A patient with this condition is able to speak words easily however they words are often meaningless word pieces or rhyming words with the wrong first letters.

This is because the person does not know the meaning or the relationship of the words being used

LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION IS AFFECTED.

55
Q

Where is the insula found?

A

It is found deep to the lateral sulcus

It is concealed by portions of the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes(operculum)

56
Q

What are some functions the insula is though to have?

A

Anteior is though to be involved in langue and it contains the gustatory cortex which processes information about taste

Posteiror is thought to be involved in integrating information related to touch, vision and hearing

57
Q

Is the corpus’s callosum made up of white or gray matter

A

It is formed by myelinated axons so white matter

58
Q

What is are the two divisions of the lentiform nucleus

A

The putamen and the globus pallidus

59
Q

What is the corna radiata?

A

Fibres passing from the cortex into the brain, they run through the region between the thalamus and the lentiform nucleus which is the posterior limb of the internal capsule

60
Q

Why is the internal capsule of the brain a vulnerable site

A

This is because it contains fibres running from thalmus to cortex and cortex to thalamus, brainstem and spinal cord.

It is a common site for stroke caused by either haemorrhage or blockage of local arterial supply due to an embolus

61
Q

What is the blood supply of the internal capsule

A

Mainly comes from the Lenticulostriate arteries which are small arteries coming from middle meningeal artery.

A stroke in the internal capsule has devastating affects on the body

62
Q

Where are the basal nuclei ( ganglia) found

A

Located deep between the corona radiata and the brainstem

63
Q

What is the function of the basal ganglia in the Brain

A

They are primarily involved in motor control.

The basal nuclei project neurons to the thalmus which is involved in relation the information to the cerebral cortex

They monitor the intensity of the movement from the cortex and ‘’filter out’’ inappropriate responses

64
Q

Diseases which lead to damage of basal ganglia involve what

A

Loss of smooth movements or the inability to inhibit unesscessary antagonist movements.

E.g. Parkinson’s which is a difficulty in initiating movement
Huntingons ideas which leads to overactivation leads to excessive and jerky involuntary movements

65
Q

What is the function of the hypothalamus

A

It is involved in maintaing homeostasis, it regulates physiological processes for survival such as consumption of fluid and food and temperature control, the sleep wake cycle and growth and reproduction.

Does so by monitoring internal environment and controlling autonomic systems

66
Q

How is the pituitary gland connected to the hypothalamus?

A

Via the pituitary stalk

The hypothalamus controls release of hormones from pituitary gland

67
Q

Name three hormones realeased from the pituitary gland

A

Growth hormone
Thyroid stimulating hormone
Follicle stimulating hormone

68
Q

How is acromegaly caused

A

Caused by over production of growth hormone from pituitary

69
Q

How might a dentist recognise acromegaly

A

Increase in size of the jaw leading to spaces between the teeth or patients may complain that their dentures no longer fit

70
Q

What are the functions of the ventricles of the brain

A

The ventricles are fluid filed cavities within the brain that provide protection to the brain

71
Q

How are the 3rd and 4th ventricles connected

A

By the central aqueduct

72
Q

What separates the lateral ventricles

A

Septum pellucidum

72
Q

What separates the lateral ventricles

A

Septum pellucidum

73
Q

What kind of cells is the CSF produced by and what is the function of the CSF

A

Choroidal epithelial cells of choroid plexus produce CSF and these are in each ventricle

CSF role is protection by providing a cushion against trauma

74
Q

Discuss CSF drainage

A

CSF drains from the lateral ventricles through the interventricular foramen into the third ventricle

From the third into the 4th via the central aqueduct and then from the 4th into the subarachnoid space via the median aperture

75
Q

What are the three main functions of the brainstem

A

It is a conduit for tracts ascending and descending through CNS
It houses cranial nerves 3-12
It is the location for reflex centres related to respiration cardiovascular function and regulation of consciousness

76
Q

What emerges at the cervical enlargement C4-T1

A

The is where the innveration of the upper limb and this is where the brachial plexus emerge

77
Q

The lumbosaccral enlargement from T11-S1 contributes to what

A

Contributes to lumbosacral plexus and innervates the lower extremities

78
Q

In the spinal cord white matter surrounds grey and what shape does this make?

A

Makes a H shape compromising of the dorsal/posterior and ventral/anteior horns

79
Q

What does the size of the anterior great matter at any level of the spinal cord represent

A

Reflects how much skeletal muscle is innervated at that level

80
Q

Where do the rootlets emerge from on the spine and what do they from

A

They emerge from the anterior and posterior horns to form nerves on each side of the column and they converge to become roots

81
Q

How are cervical spinal nerves numbered?

A

According to the vertebra below

82
Q

Apart from the cervical spinal nerves how are the other nerves numbered

A

From T1 the spinal nerves are numbered according to the ones above

83
Q

There is a space where CSF can safely be assessed in the spine via a thumb air puncture however what is a contraindication to this

A

Intracranial pressure must be checked prior to a lumbar puncture, if there is raised intracranial pressure, the loss of pressure due to. Removing CSF may cause herniation or coning, the cerebellum may be pushed into the foramen magnum and compress the brainstem which can lead to death

84
Q

What is the ligament that the pain mater forms to anchor the spinal cord with subarachnoid space and provide horizontal support

A

Denticulate ligament

85
Q

What is a myotome

A

The unilateral mass of muscle supplied by a single spinal nerve

Anatomically and functionally related groups of skeletal muscle

86
Q

What is a Dermatome

A

The unilateral area of skin supplied by a single (right or left member of a pair of) spinal nerves

87
Q

Why does C1 not have have a dermatome

A

Because it lacks a significant afferent component and does not supply the skin; therefore no C1 dermatome exists.

This is why the anterior face and scalp is innervated by CN V rather than the spinal nerves which is contrast to the posterior scalp which is suppled by C2 and C3

88
Q

Discuss the distinction between afferent and and efferent signals

A

AFFERENT - sensory signals which go from the periphery to the CNS
- synapse in the thalmus and spinal ganglia

EFFERENT - go from CNS to the PNS and cause voluntary or involuntary movement
- corticopsinal tract, pathway from the cortex through the internal capsule and the medulla to the lower motor neurons.