Introduction to Neuroanatomy and Gross Brain Structure Flashcards
What are the three subdivisions of the brain?
Cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem
What are the two divisions of the cerebrum?
Cerebral hemispheres (that are separated by longitudinal fissure) and the diencephalon
What are the two names for nerve cell bodies?
Nucleus and Ganglion
Axons in the central nervous system have what three names?
Tract, lemniscus, and peduncle
Axons in the peripheral nervous system are called what?
Nerve
Ipsilateral means what?
Same side of
Contralateral means what?
Opposite side of
Bilateral means what?
Both sides
What is a decussation?
Connections of dissimilar areas of the brain
What is a commisure?
Connections of similar areas of the brain
What are three small neurotransmitters?
Glutamate, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), and acetylcholine ACh
What are three monoamine neurotransmitters?
Dopamine, norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine, and serotonin (5-HT)
What are two neuropeptide neurotransmitters?
ACTH and substance P
What are the 5 lobes of each cerebral hemisphere?
Frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, and limbic
What are the 4 general functional areas of the frontal lobe?
Precentral gyrus, Premotor and supplemental motor areas, Broca’s area, and the prefrontal cortex
What does the precentral gyrus do?
This is the primary motor cortex, the origin of the descending motor pathway, and initiates voluntary movement
What are the premotor and supplemental motor areas?
Parts of precentral, and nearby portions of superior and middle frontal gyri
Where is Broca’s area?
Inferior frontal gyrus of one hemisphere (usually left)
What does Broca’s area do?
Is involved in production of written and spoken language
What does the prefrontal cortex do?
Allows executive function (personality, foresight, insight)
What are the three lateral surfaces of the parietal lobe?
Postcentral gyrus, superior parietal lobe, inferior parietal lobe
What are the two medial surfaces of the parietal lobe?
Precunus and paracentral lobe
The postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe serves what function?
Is the primary somatosensory cortex, concerned with initial processing of tactile and proprioceptive information
The inferior parietal lobule of one hemisphere (typically left) serves what function?
Language comprehension
What are the three lateral surfaces of the temporal lobe?
Superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus
What is the inferior surface of the temporal lobe?
Occipitotemporal (fusiform) gyrus
What are the four main functions of the temporal lobe?
Primary auditory cortex, language comprehension, higher order visual processing, and learning and memory
What is the lateral surface of the occipital lobe?
Lateral occipital gyri (surface is variable)
What are the two medial surfaces of the occipital lobe?
Cuneus and lingual gyrus
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
Almost exclusively in visual function
Where is the primary visual cortex?
In banks of calcarine sulcus and a bit of surrounding cortex
The limbic lobe consists mainly of what two things?
Cingulate and parahippocampal gyri
The limbic system is important in what?
Emotional responses, drive related behaviors, and memory
Where is the insula located?
Deep in the lateral sulcus and is covered by frontal, parietal, and temporal opercula
What are the 4 divisions of the diencephalon?
Thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, and subthalamus
No sensory information except olfaction reaches the cerebral cortex without a stop first in what structure?
The thalamus
The thalamus is involved in motor system neural circuits which are loops that involve what?
The cerebellum and basal ganglia
The hypothalamus is separated from the thalamus by what?
Hypothalamic sulcus in wall of the third ventricle
What structure connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary?
Infundibular stalk
What are the three subdivisions of the brain stem?
Midbrain, pons, and medulla
Which cranial nerve is not attached to the brainstem?
Cranial nerve I
What is cranial nerve I?
Olfactory nerve
What is cranial nerve II?
Optic nerve
What is cranial nerve III?
Oculomotor nerve
Where does cranial nerve III emerge from?
Interpeduncular fossa
What is cranial nerve IV?
Trochlear nerve
What is the only nerve to emerge from the dorsal aspect of the brain stem?
CN IV
What is cranial nerve V?
Trigeminal nerve
What is cranial nerve VI?
Abducens nerve
What is cranial nerve VII?
Facial nerve
What is cranial nerve VIII?
Vestibulocochlear nerve
CN VIII emerges from what?
Cerebellopontine angle
What is CN IX?
Glossopharyngeal nerve
What is CN X?
Vagus nerve
What is CN XI?
Accessory nerve
Where does CN XI emerge from?
From upper cervical spinal cord, ascends into skull then reverses and goes back into neck
What is CN XII?
Hypoglossal nerve
What are the cranial nerves of the midbrain?
III and IV
What are the cranial nerves of the pons?
V, VI, VII, and VIII
What are the cranial nerves of the medulla?
IX, X, XI, and XII
What is the vermis?
The most medial aspect of the cerebellum and occurs at the midline
CSF is produced by what?
Choroid plexus in the ventricles
What structures reabsorb CSF?
Arachnoid villi into the venous system
CSF pressure is greater or less than venous pressure?
CSF pressure
What are the three meningeal layers?
Dura mater (outer most, toughest), arachnoid mater, and pia mater (inner most)
Between what layers of meninges is CSF found?
Between arachnoid and pia
The arachnoid and pia mater are collectively refered to as what?
Leptomeninges
Epidural hematomas are generally aterial or venous?
Aterial
Subdural hematomas are generally aterial or venous?
Venous
The anterior cerebral artery supplies what?
Medial parts of frontal and parietal lobes
The ACA are connected by what?
Anterior communicating artery
The middle cerebral artery supplies what?
Most of lateral cerebral hemispheres
What are the arteries that arise from basically all arteries at the base of the brain?
Perforating arteries
The vertebral arteries fuse into what artery along the pons?
Basilar artery
Each vertebral artery gives rise to what three structures?
Posterior spinal artery, anterior spinal artery, and posterior inferior cerebellar artery PICA
Posterior spinal artery supplies what?
Posterior 1/3 of spinal cord
Anterior spinal artery supplies what?
These join together at the midline to form one artery that supplies anterior 2/3 of spinal cord
PICA supplies what?
Supplies inferior cerebellum and lateral medulla
The basilar artery bifurcates at the midline and forms what?
2 posterior cerebellar arteries (PCA’s)
Prior to the basilar artery bifurcation, it gives rise to what two arteries?
Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and superior cerebellar artery (SCA)
AICA supplies what?
Supplies anterior portions of the inferior surface of cerebellum (flocculus) and caudal pons
SCA supplies what?
Supplies superior cerebellum, caudal midbrain and rostral pons
The PCA supplies what?
Branches supply medial and inferior surfaces of temporal and occipital lobes, branches also go to rostral midbrain and posterior diencephalon
The blood brain barrier includes what?
Barrier includes arachnoid, endothelial tight junctions and lack of pinocytic vesicles
