Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Neuro Exam I > Intro: Structures of the CNS > Flashcards

Intro: Structures of the CNS Flashcards

1
Q

neurons are formed by what major components?

how do these major components create the architecture of the nervous system?

A
  • perikaryon (cell body / nuclei): the processing center - forms the gray matter
  • axon: output portion of neuron - forms the white matter
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what forms the gray matter in the brain?

what is the role of gray matter?

A

neuronal cell bodies (perikaryons)

are the “processing centers”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what forms the white matter in the brain?

what are the roles of white matter?

A

axons

are the “outflow tracts” (no processing occurs here)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what occurs during the embryological development of the brain?

why is this important?

A

during embryonic development, the brain undergoes two 90 degree bends, forming the cervical and cephalic flexures

this results in anatomical planes that change around the midpoint of the brain

  • above midpoint: dorsal-ventral = superior-inferior
  • below midpoint: dorsal-ventral = posterior-anterior
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

label

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what is cerebelli tentorium and its

  • attachments
  • anatomical relations
  • roles
A
  • Tentorium cerebelli: a sheet of dura that
    • covers the cerebellum
    • attaches to the:
      • inferior clinoid processes
      • petrous ridge
    • separates the brain into two compartments:
      • Supra-tentorial: brain that sits above it:
        • prosencephalon, made of the
          • telencephalon (superfiical portion)
          • diencephalon (deep portion)
      • Infra-tentorial (posterior fossa): brain that below it
        • cerebellum
        • brainstem
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is the prosencephalon composed of?

where does it exist with the cerebri tentorium?

A

= supratentorial

  • made of the
    • telecephalon (superfiical component)
    • diencephalon (deep component), which contains the
      • hypothalamus (ventral / inferior part)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what portions of the brain are infratentorial?

A

aka posterior fossa

  • cerebellum
  • brainstem
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is the brainstem composed of?

A
  • midbrain
  • pons
  • medula oblongota
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

mamillary body

  • define
  • anatomical relations
  • roles
A
  • definition: paired projections coming off the ventral (in anat, inferior) surface of the hypothalamus (ventral component of the diencephalon)
  • anatomic relations:
    • is contained within the interpendular fossa
    • is immediately caudad (in anatomy, post) to the pituitary infundubilum, another projection off the ventral hypothalamus
  • roles: is in line with the cerebelli tentorum, & can thus also be used to designated supra vs intra tentorial
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

label

A
  • infratentorial / posterior fossa:
    • 2,3,4 = brainstem
    • 1= cerebellum
  • mamillary body & infundulum: on ventral (anat = inf) portion of hypothalamus (diencehpalon) th mamillary body more caudad (anat = post) & superior
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is the cerebral cortex?

describe its structure and why this is important?

A
  • cerebral cortex = superficial component of the prosencephalon, i.e., the telencephalon.
    • organized into a highly convoluted series of ridges that allow for more surface area:
      • gyri = ridges: are grey matter, thus packed nuclei
      • sulci = in between ridges
        • deep sulci are fissures
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what are gyri?

A

ridges forming the cerebral cortex (outer, superfiical prosencephalon) that are made of grey matter (nuclei)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

the central sulcus

  • has what path?
  • forms what anatomical compartments?
A
  • fissure (deep sulcus) that runs superior-inferior in a frontal lobe & parietal lobe gyri, intersecting the longtiduninal fissure
    • creates the following anatomical compartments:
      • Frontal lobe: anything rostral (ant in anat) to central sulcus
      • Parietal lobe: anything from the central sulcus to the -> parietal occipital fissure
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

the longitudinal fissure

  • has what path?
  • divides the brain into what anatomical compartments?
A
  • pathway: runs along the sagittal midline, i.e. rostral -> caudal (ant to post in anat), ultimately intersecting the longitudinal fissure, dividing the cerebral cortex into
    • right hemisphere
    • left hemisphere
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

the lateral fissure

  • has what path?
  • divides the brain into what anatomical compartments?
A
  • pathway: runs along the rotral 3/4th (ant in anat) of the lateral surface of the cerebral cortex
  • comparments - n/a
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

the parieto-occipital fissure

  • has what path?
  • divides the brain into what anatomical compartments?
A
  • pathway: course superior-inferiorly between parietal and occipital gyri, perpendicular to and just caudad from (post in anat) the lateral fissure (only visible on medial side)
  • creates the following anatomical apartments:
    • parietal lobe: anyhing in between central sulcus and parieto-occipital fissure
    • occipital lobe: anything caudad (post in anat) to it
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is the coroada radiata?

what are the components of the coronada radiata?

A

= mass of axons (i.e., white matter) coming of the gyri (grey matter) covering off the cerebra cortex. The corona radiata runs mainly to 3 places

  1. corpus callosum: u-shape running from between hemispheres
  2. internal capsule (IC): group of axons running up & down (bi-directional) from the brainstem to the cerebral cortex
  3. accessory fibers: interconnect ispilateral cortical regions
  4. insula: on lateral surface, near gyri
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

corpus collosum

  • definition
  • has what anatomical associations?
A
  • definition: portion fo the corona radiata (white matter) bridging the cerebral hemispheres
  • association:
    • cingulate gyrus: superiorly, parallel its dorsal surface
    • lateral ventricles: inferiorly
    • septum pellicudim: an extension of of its ventral (inferior surface) that separate the lateral ventricles
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

internal capsule

  • definition
  • has what anatomical associations?
A
  • definition: portion the corona radiata (white matter) with sup-inf fibers to the brainstem & an arrow shape rosral-caudally
  • asssociations:
    • thalamus: medially, between IC & 3rd ventricle
    • caudate nucleus: medially, in betwen IC & lateral ventricles
    • basal ganglia: laterally, between IC & insula
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

insula

  • definition
  • anatomical relations?
A
  • definition: portion of the corona radiata that is a deep infolding on the lateral cerebral cortex
  • anatomical relations:
    • basal ganglia (other than the caudate nucleus): medially, between insul & IC
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

the internal capsula can be further divdided into what segments?

A
  • anterior crus
  • genu
  • posterior crus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

label

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

ventricles of the brain

  • definition
  • list each one
A
  • definition: fluid-filled chambers containing CSF
  • lateral ventricles (1 & 2), 3rd ventricle, 4th ventricle
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
lateral ventricles * location within the brain * components * key associations
* = ventricles 1, 2: (are paired) * location: sit _deep_ within the cerebral cortex * components: are subdivided into the * _anterior horn:_ in the frontal & parietal lobes * _occipital horn:_ in the occipital lobe * _inferior horn:_ in the temporal lobe * associations: * **interventricular foramen / foramen of monroe:** an inferior projection each ventricle gives of - is connected to the 3rd ventricle * corpus collosum: above ventricles * septum pellucidum: separates the ventricles * other: LARGEST VENTRICLES (contain most of CSF)
26
what is the foramen of monroe? describe it.
= interventricular foramen * a projection coming off the ventral side of each lateral ventricle to connect them to the 3rd ventricle
27
3rd ventricle * location within the brain * components * key associations
* location: **in the diencephalon + midbrain (brainstem)** * components: * most of ventricle: within the dienceaphlon * _cerebral adeqeduct_: narrow extension that moves cadually (post) & extends through the brainstem to open ventral (ant) cerebellum * key associations * interventricular foramen / foramen of monroe * 4th ventricle: via cerebral adequate
28
what is the cerebral aqeduct? describe it.
the portion of the 3rd ventricle that **extends cadually** from the diencephalon to * **cross the brainstem** * **open in front of cerebellum**
29
4th ventricle * location within the brain * components * key associations
* location: **ventral to the cerebellum** * components: n/a * associations: **is continuous with the _central canal_ of the spinal cord**
30
the central canal is continuous with..?
the 4th ventricle
31
what is the cingulate gyrus?
a portion of the cerebral cortex that _parallels the dorsal surface_ of the **coropus collosum**
32
what is the septum primidum?
a projection off the ventral surface of the corpus collosum which separates the lateral ventricles
33
what comprises the diencephalon?
supraventricular * made largely of the * thalamus * hypothalamus (ventrl / inferior) * plus the epithalamus: gives off pineal gland
34
what are the anatomical relations of the thalamus?
* is dorsal (superior) to the hypothalamus * is _ventral_ (inferior) to the lateral ventricles\* * is _lateral_ to the 3rd ventricle * is _medial_ to the internal capsule
35
what are the basal ganglia? where are they located in the brain?
* basal ganglai are sections are **gray matter (nuclei)** that are split up by the internal capsule. are divided into three main components * _caudate nucleus_: between IC & lateral ventricles * remainder: between IC & insula * _globus pallidus_ - more medial * _putamen_ - more lateral
36
describe the anatomic associations of the caudate nucleus
piece of basal ganglia between the internal capsule (_anterior crus_) and lateral ventricles * lateral to lateral ventricles * medial to internal capsule
37
describe the anatomic associations of the globus pallidus
piece of basal ganglia in between the internal capsule and insula * lateral to internal capsule * medial to putamen
38
describe the anatomic associations of the putamen
piece of basal ganglia in between the internal capsule and the insula * medial to the insula * lateral to the globus pallidus
39
list the three prominent features coming off the ventral surface of the hypothalamus & their relationship to one another
* **from rostral -\> caudal** (ant to post in anatomy) * **optic chiasm** * **infundibulum** (connection of hypothalamus to pituitary) * **mamillary bodies** note the mamillary bodies also exist within the intepeduncular fossa\*
40
what are the cerebral peduncles? what their pertinent anatomical associations?
* are the _terminal portions_ of the internal capsule (white matter) * the region between the cerebral peduncles forms the **interpenducular fossa,** within which the mamillary bodies (caudal-most feature of ventral hypothalamus( lie
41
what is the uncus? what are its pertinent anatomic associations?
* definition: the uncus is a rounded prominence of the cerebral cortex * associations: _projects towards the optic chiasm_
42
label
43
what forms the hippocampus?
a tight coil of cerebral cortex continuing from the uncus
44
the cerebral aqueduct creates what anatomical compartments?
(caudal most part of the 3rd ventricle) * since the cerebral aqueduct extends through the midbrain _(the rostral most part of the brainstem_), it divides the midbrain into a dorsal and ventral portion * tegmentum - ventral (anterior in this case) * tectum - dorsal (posterior in this case)
45
label
46
tectum * anatomical location * components * associations
* the _dorsal portion_ of the mibrain, designated by the cerebral aqeduct * **components, from rostral / superior -\> caudal / inferior:** * **pineal gland** (part of diencephalon) * **corpora quadrigemina**, made of: * superior colliculi: rostral / superior * inferior colliculi: caudal / inferior * associations: * inferior / posterior to thalamus * dorsal to tegmentum
47
corpora quadrigemina * location * components
* makes up a large portion of the tectum, the dorsal midbrain * componnets: * superior colliculi: rostral / superior * inferior colliculi: caudal / inferior
48
label
diencephalon, \superior -\> inferior: * epithalamus: gives off pineal gland (enters tentum portion of midbrain, forming the most superior component) * thalamus: in between IC and 3rd ventricles * hypothalamus: contains lower portion 3rd ventricles
49
where is the 4th ventricle with respect to the tectum?
inferior
50
where is the thalamus with respect to the tectum?
superior / anterior
51
what is the crus cerebri? what are its pertinent anatomic associations?
* crus cerebri: most external portion of the cerebral peduncles, which are the most external portion of the internal capsule * associations: * are _lateral_ to the **mamillary bodies** * are _ventral_ to the **tegmentum** (in midbrain, deep cerebral peduncles formed by substantia nigra, external cerebra penduncles formed by crus cerebri)
52
tegmentum * location * components * anatomic associations
* location: _ventral_ portion of midbrain, designated by cerebral aqueduct * features: **from deep / superior -\> superficial / inferior** * **red nuclei** - contains red iron pigment * **substantia nigra** - specialized nucleus that produces black pigment * **crus cerebri** - external most portions of cerebral peduncles * associations: * ventral to: tectum * deep to: crus cerebri
53
what structure lies ventral to the tegmentum?
the crus cerebri (external most portion of the cerebral peduncles, thus the internal capsule)
54
label
55
pons * definition * components * associations
* definitions: are the middle segment of the midbrain * components: * **basis pontis**: **_ventral expansion_ comprising bulk of the pons, contains** * pontine nuclei * pontocerebral tracts / fibers * **superior / inferior pontine sulci:** dermarcate basis pons * ​contain cranial nerves * associations: * superior-inferior line: * inferior to the midbrain * superior to the medulla oblongota * anterior-posterior line: **the center of the pons _ventral_ to the 4th ventricle**, which is directly ventral to the cerebellum
56
label
superior & inferior pontine sulcus - cranial nerves basis pontis - pontinue nuclei & pontocerebellar fibers
57
where are the pontocerebellar fibers found?
* found in the _basis pontis_ (ventral expansion of pons) * can also deuccusate across the midline to form the _middle cerebellar peduncle,_ which rests dorsal to the pons
58
cerebellum * architecture * copmonents * anatomic associations
* components: * **is organized into gray & white matter like the brain** * **cerebellar cortex -** _gray matter_ * outer layer * organized into "plates" called folia * **arbor vitae -** _white matter_ * inner cortex * made of _deep cerebellar nuclei_ * **at ventral margin, arbor vitae radiate to form three cerebellar** * **superior** * **middle** * **inferior** * **vermis: divides cerebellar hemispheres** * associations - **is dorsal to the expanded 4th ventricle**
59
label, note important features
60
label
61
what forms the cerebellar peduncles? what do the cerebellar peduncles connect to?
formed by outward radiations of arbor viate (white matter) the _ventral margin_ of cerebellum. each one interacts with a different section of the brainstem * superior cerebellar peduncle - connects with **red nucleus** (tegmentum, midbrain) * middle cerebellar peduncle - connects with **pontine nucleus** (pons) * inferior cerebellar peduncle - connects with **medulla oblongot**a
62
medulla oblongota * anatomic location * components * associations
* is the lowest segment of the brainstem * components: * ventral: * **medullary pyramids** (paired) * **olive bodies** - lateral * dorsal: * **gracile tubercles** - medial * **cuneate tubercles** - lateral * associations: * inferior to pons * ventral to the floor of the 4th ventricle: the caudal (inferior) borders of the 4th ventricle are formed by _demarcations_ on the **dorsal medulla oblongota**: * gracile tubercles - medial * cuneate tubercles - lateral
63
label
64
label
* can tell this is the dorsal face based off tectum corpora quadrigemina: superior & inferior colliculi * gracile & cuneate tubercles form caudal (inferior) borders of 4th ventricle
65
what cranial nerves exit in proximty to the pons & medulla? explain their specific locations
* pons - **CN 5-8**: exit thorugh the _inferior pontine sulcus_ * medulla - **CN 9-12**: exit between the _ventral pyramids_ and _olives_

Neuro Exam I (15 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions