Intro to Neuro: Parts of the CNS Flashcards
What are the key functions of the nervous system?
- It controls and coordinates the activities of the
body’s systems - It COLLECTS information about the state of the
body, with respect to surroundings - It TRANSMITS information to the relevant area of
the nervous system - It ANALYSES information
- It INITIATES appropriate responses
How is the nervous system anatomically divided?
The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS includes spinal and cranial nerves.
How can the nervous system be functionally classified?
The nervous system can be classified into the autonomic (subconscious control, e.g., heart rate) and somatic (conscious/voluntary control, e.g., picking up a pencil) systems
What is the difference between ganglia, nuclei, nerves, and tracts?
Ganglia are collections of nerve cell bodies in the PNS; nuclei are collections of nerve cell bodies in the CNS. Nerves are collections of axons in the PNS, while tracts are collections of axons within the CNS.
What are the three embryological regions of the brain?
The three embryological regions of the brain are the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.
What are the main components of the cerebrum?
The cerebrum consists of two cerebral hemispheres, separated by the longitudinal fissure and connected by the corpus callosum. It is responsible for conscious thought, memory, and regulation of skeletal muscle.
What is the difference between ganglia and nuclei?
Ganglia are collections of nerve cell bodies located in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), while nuclei are collections of nerve cell bodies found within the central nervous system (CNS).
What are nerves and tracts in the context of the nervous system?
Nerves are collections of axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), whereas tracts are collections of axons within the central nervous system (CNS).
What are the three embryological regions of the brain?
The brain develops from three embryological regions: the forebrain (which includes the cerebrum and diencephalon), the midbrain, and the hindbrain (which includes the pons, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum).
Describe the structure of the cerebrum.
The cerebrum consists of:
Cortex (Gray Matter): The outer layer composed of neuronal cell bodies.
Inner Layers (White Matter): Composed of neuronal axons.
Deep Nuclei (Gray Matter): Located in the diencephalon.
What are gyri and sulci?
Gyri: Folds in the cerebral cortex that increase surface area.
Sulci: Grooves between the gyri.
What are the primary functions of the cerebrum?
The cerebrum is responsible for conscious thought processes, intellectual functions, memory storage, processing and retrieval, and the conscious and subconscious regulation of skeletal muscle contraction.
What is the role of the cerebellum?
Located under the cerebrum, The cerebellum coordinates complex somatic motor patterns, maintains balance through postural muscles, and refines learned movement patterns.
What are the functions of the brainstem?
Includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata; The brainstem serves as a processing and relay center for information passing to and from the cerebrum and cerebellum, contains reflex centers associated with respiratory and cardiovascular functions, and houses cranial nerve nuclei.
What is the function of the midbrain?
The midbrain is part of the brainstem and serves as a processing and relay center for information passing to and from the cerebrum and cerebellum.
What is the function of the pons?
The pons is part of the brainstem and contains reflex centers associated with respiratory and cardiovascular functions.
What is the function of the medulla oblongata?
Answer: The medulla oblongata is part of the brainstem and contains reflex centers associated with respiratory and cardiovascular functions.
What are the components and functions of the diencephalon?
The diencephalon consists of the thalamus, which acts as a relay and processing center, and the hypothalamus, which is involved in hormone production and emotional control.
What is the function of the thalamus?
The thalamus acts as a relay and processing center for sensory and motor signals.
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
The hypothalamus is involved in hormone production and emotional control.
What is the role of the spinal cord?
The spinal cord is a continuation of the brainstem into the vertebral column, containing outer white matter and inner gray matter. It transmits information from and toward the brain, connecting it to the peripheral nervous system.
What are the names and functions of the 12 cranial nerves?
- Olfactory (I): Sensory; responsible for the sense of smell.
- Optic (II): Sensory; responsible for vision.
- Oculomotor (III): Motor; controls eye movement, pupil size, and lens shape.
- Trochlear (IV): Motor; controls eye movement.
- Trigeminal (V): Mixed; provides sensation to the face and operates muscles of mastication.
-Abducens (VI): Motor; controls eye movement.
- Facial (VII): Mixed; responsible for taste, facial expression, and secretion.
- Vestibulocochlear (VIII): Sensory; responsible for balance and hearing.
- Glossopharyngeal (IX): Mixed; responsible for taste, monitors blood pressure and gases, swallowing, and secretion.
- Vagus (X): Mixed; responsible for taste, sensory to thoracic and abdominal viscera, movement, and secretion.
-Accessory (XI): Motor; controls movement of the pharynx, larynx, and neck.
-Hypoglossal (XII): Motor; controls tongue movement.
