Gross Brain anatomy

Question 1

What can the forebrain be separated into?

Answer 1

Telencephalon -> cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, limbic system
Diencephalon -> thalamus, hypothalamus

Question 2

What can the mid brain be separated into?

Answer 2

Mesencephalon -> Tectum, tegmentum

Question 3

What can the hind brain be separated into?

Answer 3

Metencephalon -> Cerebellum, Pons

Myencephalon -> Medulla oblongata

Question 4

What is the function of the pons?

Answer 4

Acts as bridge between cerebellum and cortex, also controls sleep/arousal, facial muscles and tounge

Question 5

What actions can be accomplished when only the hind brain is intact?

Answer 5

Can still make basic movements but no coordination

Question 6

What actions can be accomplished when only the hind and mid brain are intact?

Answer 6

Can accomplish basic functions but lacks adaptability and purpose (hunger does not induce eating)

Question 7

What is the function of the sub cortical nuclei?

Answer 7

Control of movement

Question 8

What is the function of the caudate nucleus?

Answer 8

Urge to do things, related with the reward system

Question 9

What is the function of a)the putamen and b)the globus pallidus?

Answer 9

a) Learned automatic movements

b) Voluntary movement

Question 10

What are the 3 components of the limbic system and what is their function?

Answer 10

1. Cingulate cortex - error/attention/emotion
2. Amygdala - emotion and fear
3. Hippocampus - memories/navigation

Question 11

What connects the two hemispheres of the brain?

Answer 11

The corpus callosum, anterior commissure and massa intermedia

Question 12

What are a) Broca’s and b) Wernicke’s areas responsible for? Where are they?

Answer 12

a) left frontal lobe, speech generation

b) left superior frontal lobe, speech comprehension

Question 13

How are the left hemisphere and right hemisphere of the brain specialised differently?

Answer 13

Left hemisphere - language, speech, local image features

Right hemisphere - visuo-spatial processing, global image properties

Question 14

What areas of the brain are overactive/underactive in depression?

Answer 14

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) - planning actions (underactive)
Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) - error (overactive)
Orbito-frontal cortex (OFC) - inhibition of changes to behaviors (overactive)
Ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) - emotional meaning (overactive)