Key Terms 2

Question 1

Computerized axial tomography (CT, CAT)

Answer 1

series of x-rays taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body

(structure)

Question 2

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer 2

uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue

(structure)

Question 3

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 3

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface

(function)

Question 4

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Answer 4

a visual display of brain activity

function

Question 5

brainstem

Answer 5

the oldest part and central core of the brain

begins where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull and is responsible for automatic survival functions

Question 6

Lower-level brain structures

Answer 6

innermost structures

include brainstem, thalamus, cerebellum, and limbic system

Question 7

Medulla

Answer 7

location: base of the brainstem
- controls basic life-support functions (heartbeat, breathing, circulation, and swallowing)

damage: possible death

Question 8

Reticular formation

Answer 8

location: follows back the spinal cord as it rises into the brain
- nerve network that plays a role in controlling wakefulness and arousal

damage: coma

Question 9

Thalamus

Answer 9

location: top of the brain stem in the middle of the brain
- brain’s sensory switch-board
- directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex

Question 10

Cerebellum

Answer 10

location: attached to the rear of the brainstem
- controls voluntary movements and balance
- governs emotions, hearing, and touch
- controls muscle memory

Question 11

Limbic system

Answer 11

location: ring of structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral cortex
- helps regulate important functions such as memory, fear, aggression, hunger, and thirst

Question 12

Hypothalamus

Answer 12

location: neural structure lying beneath the front of the thalamus
-regulate hunger, thirst, reaction to stress, and body temperature
brain region controlling the pituitary gland
monitors the levels of hormones circulating in the blood
link between the brain and the glandular system

Question 13

Hippocampus

Answer 13

location: neural center that wraps around the back of the thalamus (looks like a seahorse)
- helps process new memories for permanent storage

Question 14

Amygdala

Answer 14

location: structure in the limbic system (looks like an almond)
- controls many emotional responses, anger, fear

Question 15

Cerebral cortex

Answer 15

wrinkled outer surface

an intricate fabric of interconnected neurons that make up the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center

Question 16

Longitudinal fissure

Answer 16

the long crevice that divides the cerebral cortex into the left and right hemispheres

Question 17

Corpus callosum

Answer 17

large band of neural tissue that connects the two brain hemispheres and allows them to communicate with each other

Question 18

frontal lobes

Answer 18

portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead that is involved in planning and judgement (includes that motor cortex)

enable advanced thinking abilities, judgement, and planning

Question 19

parietal lobes

Answer 19

lying at the top of the head and toward the back
includes the somatosensory cortex and general association areas used for processing information
(mathematical reasoning)

Question 20

occipital lobes

Answer 20

rear of the cerebral cortex

primary visual processing areas

Question 21

temporal lobes

Answer 21

roughly above the ears

includes auditory processing areas

Question 22

motor cortex

Answer 22

strip of tissue on the rear edge of the frontal loves that control voluntary movements of your body parts
right controls left, left controls right

Question 23

somatosensory cortex

Answer 23

strip of tissue that stretches along the front edge of the parietal lobes
area that registers and processes body sensations

Question 24

plasticity

Answer 24

the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or experience

Question 25

pituitary gland

Answer 25

“master gland”

in conjunction with the hypothalamus, it controls the other endocrine glands

Question 26

adrenal glands

Answer 26

inner part helps trigger the flight or fight response

Question 27

parasympathetic system

Answer 27

causes pupils to contract, heartbeat to slow, and stimulates digestion

Question 28

somatic nervous system

Answer 28

part of peripheral nervous system

controls voluntary movement

Question 29

autonomic nervous system

Answer 29

organs and things that control themselves automatically without your conscious control

Question 30

sensory neurons

Answer 30

relay information to the spinal cord or brain