Intro to brain structure and function

Question 1

Summarise CNS development

Answer 1

Ectoderm strip, influence of mesoderm- neural plate- groove-tube
Fusion in cervical spine

Question 2

List the embryonic origins of the components of the brain

Answer 2

Forebrain- proencephalon
Midbrain- Mesencephalon
Hindbrain- Rhombencephalon

P–diencephalon(thalamus and hypothalamus) and telencephalon (basal ganglia and cortex)
M- peduncles, tectum, tegmentum
R- metencephalon- pons and cerebellum
myencephalon- medulla oblongata

Question 3

List the functions of the key structures of the brain

Answer 3

Cerebellum- refine and correct movement
Brainstem- midbrain- movement (peduncles), vision and hearing (tectum) consciousness (reticular formation) + SN+RN
Thalamus: major relay station for sensory systems
Hippocampus: memory and spatial navigation
Hypothalamus- hormone synth- temp, hunger, thirst, sleep
Ventricles- produce CSF, protect brain
Caudate and lentiform nucleus- modulate movement, cognition, emotion

Question 4

List the functions of the components of the midbrain

Answer 4

Midbrain- peduncles- descending motor tracts
Tectum- colliculi
Tegmentum- substantia niagra- basal ganglia, make dopamine
Red nucleus- vascularised, extrapyramidal system
Cerebral aqueduct- ventricular system
Periacqueductal grey- inhibit/modulate pain response

Question 5

Summarise the ventricular system

Answer 5

lateral ventricles–IV foramen–3rd ventricle–cerebral aqueduct–4th ventricle

Question 6

List and describe the functions of the 3 meningeal layers

Answer 6

1. dura mater- touch mother
2. Arachnoid mater- CSF granulations- transfer CSF- venous system
3. Pia mater- tender mother, follows contours of brain

Question 7

List the main reflections of the dura

Answer 7

Falx cerebri
Falx cerebelli
Tentorium cerebelli

Question 8

List and describe the main types of brain haemorrhage

Answer 8

Epidural- rupture of MMA- blood accum between dura and bone
Subdural- rupture of cerebral v joining sagittal sinus- over 24 houts
Subarachnoid- rupture of cerebral v and aneurysms- lose conc rapidly- Berry

Question 9

Name the function of the occipital lobe

Answer 9

Vision

Question 10

Name the function of the frontal lobe

Answer 10

Attention, memory, motivation, planning movement

Question 11

Name the function of the temporal lobe

Answer 11

Memory, sensory processing, lang production

Question 12

Name the function of the parietal lobe

Answer 12

Lang processing, integrate sensory info

Question 13

Describe the arterial blood supply of the brain

Answer 13

2 vertebral arteries
inferior posterior cerebellar
inf ant cerebellar
basilar artery
superior cerebellar
posterior
middle cerebral from internal carotid
anterior