Intro to CNS, neurotransmitters and BBB Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the main features of the spinal cord.

A
  • continuous with brain stem
  • extends from foramen magnum to conus medullaris at L1-L2 in adults
  • ends at cauda equina
  • surrounded by dura mater + other meningeal layers
  • cervical and lumbrosacral enlargements
  • differing amounts of grey matter corresponds to axons innervating lower + upper limbs
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2
Q

What are the 5 major embryological divisions of the brain?

A

Forebrain

  • telencephalon (becomes cerebral hemispheres)
  • diencephalon

Midbrain
- mesencephalon

Hindbrain

  • metencephalon (becomes cerebellum + pons)
  • myelencephalon (becomes medulla oblongata)
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3
Q

Which regions make up the brain stem?

A

Midbrain and hindbrain

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4
Q

What are the 3 functions of the brain stem?

A
  1. Conduit for ascending and descending tracts for spinal cord, connecting them to higher centres
  2. contains important reflex centres
  3. contains important nuclei of CN III to XII
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5
Q

What is found in the midbrain?

A
  • nuclei for CN III and CN IV
  • Edinger-Westphal nucleus responsible for pupillary diameter, accommodation of lens, convergence of eyes
  • neurons that are responsible for control of reflex movements of eyes, head and neck in response to visual and auditory signals
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6
Q

What is found in the pons?

A

Motor nucleus for CN V - muscles of mastication
Nucleus for CN VI - eye movement (lateral rectus muscle)
Sensory nucleus for CN V - face, scalp, mouth, nose
Nuclei for CN VIII - hearing + equilibrium
Nuclei involved in respiration

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7
Q

What is found in the medulla oblongata?

A

Motor nuclei for CN XI - muscles of neck
Motor nuclei for CN XII - muscles of tongue
Nuclei involved in respiration via CN X, control of blood pressure (CNX + CN IV), HR and digestion (CN X)

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8
Q

Where is the diencephalon found?

A

Either side of 3rd ventricle

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9
Q

Which structures make up the diencephalon?

A
  • Thalamus - largest - sensory switchboard
  • Hypothalamus - controls homeostatic, autonomic and endocrine functions
  • Epithalamus - pineal body (produces melatonin and maintain circadian rhythm) + Habenular nucleus (regulates CNS neurotransmitters such as dopamine + serotonin, role in behaviour of addiction and motivation)
  • Subthalamus
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10
Q

What is the cerebellum and responsible for?

A
  • receives peripheral info regarding proprioception, muscle tone, position of head in space, visual and auditory info
  • compares and integrates info with info from cortex
  • modulates ongoing movement patterns
  • coordinator and predictor of movement
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11
Q

What are the lobes of the cerebrum?

A

Frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal

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12
Q

What is the frontal lobe responsible for?

A
  • Primary motor cortex housed in precentral gyrus
  • Regulating voluntary motor behaviour but also initiating it
  • Expressive motor aspects of language processed on lateral surface in Broca’s motor speech area
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13
Q

What is the prefrontal area responsible for?

A
  • Part of frontal lobe
  • Not involved with movement
  • Connections with parietal, temporal and occipital lobes via fasciculi - access to sensory processing and memory
  • Monitors behaviours and controls higher processes
  • Prefrontal association areas involved with emotion, motivation, personality, initiative, judgement, concentration, social inhibitions
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