Lab 1 Flashcards
lateral
on the side, towards the side
medial
is at or towards the middle
dorsal/superior
on top, in the brain and head only
ventral/inferior
on the bottom, in the brain and head only
midline
directly in the middle of the brain in-between the two hemispheres
coronal
perpendicular to sagittal plane
- divides front from back
sagittal
plane through midline
- divides the left from the right
midsagittal
plane is the line through the exact middle
horizontal
axial (transverse)
- divides the brain top to bottom
meninges
protective coverings which enclose the brain and spinal cord
dura mater
tough outer layer
arachnoid mater
middle layer
pia mater
inner layer
- follows the gyri and sulci
gyri
bumps
sulcus
grooves
brain stem function
controls breathing, swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, and wakefulness
- made up of the medulla, pons, and midbrain
infundibular stalk/infundibulum
where the pituitary gland was attached to the brain
pituitary gland
part of the endocrine system, produces hormones that control metabolism, growth, sexual function, sleep, and mood
olfactory bulbs
involved in the sense of smell and are much larger in animals compared to humans
Path that visual information takes
optic nerve —> optic chiasm —> optic tract —> visual cortex
mammillary bodies
part of the limbic system and play a role in memory
cerebrum
the most superior/dorsal and largest region of the CNS containing the cerebral cortex (of the two cerebral hemispheres), as well as several subcortical “deep brain” structures
- cerebrum is subdivided into lobes with specialized functions
- as a whole it is responsible for controlling voluntary actions, emotions, hearing, vision, personality, and much. more
cerebellum
- “little brain”
- overlies the brainstem and sits just below the cerebrum
- plays an important role in motor control and cognitive functions such as attention, language, and emotional responses
longitudinal fissure
runs down the midline of the brain and separates the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex
spinal cord location
lies caudal to the brainstem (brainstem is visible on the ventral side of the brain)
ventricles
part of the ventricular system that circulates the cerebrospinal fluid throughout the brain and spinal cord
pineal gland
part of the endocrine system and produces melatonin, which helps maintain circadian rhythm and regulates reproductive hormones
inferior and superior colliculi
form the tectum which is part of the midbrain (mesencephalon) involved in vision and hearing)
corpus callosum
a large band of myelinated axon fibers that cross from one side of the brain to the other, joining the two hemispheres of the brain
caudate nucleus
a deep brain structure that is part of the basal ganglia that plays a role in motor functions, learning, and reward systems
putamen
a deep brain structure that is part of the basal ganglia that plays a role in regulating various stages of movement (preparation, execution, etc.) and also influences various types of learning
optic chiasm
the x-shaped structure formed at the point below the brain where the two optic nerves cross over each other
lateral ventricles
the two largest cavities of the ventricular system of the brain and contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- each cerebral hemisphere contains one lateral ventricle, known as the left or right ventricle, respectively
- each lateral ventricle resembles a C-shaped structure that begins in the temporal lobe, travels through the parietal lobe and frontal lobe, and ultimately terminates where it connects to the single, central third ventricle
globus pallidus
a deep brain structure that is part of the basal ganglia that plays a role in the regulation of voluntary movement
the internal cpsule
a large white matter structure that contains both ascending and descending axons, going to and coming from the cerebral cortex and relay through the thalamus
- its tracts run in between several basal ganglia structures separating the caudate nucleus from the putamen and the globus pallidus
optic tracts (OT)
part of the visual system in the brain and are the posterior continuation of the optic nerves after the medial (temporal lobe) fibers decussate at the optic chiasm
thalamus
a deep brain structure that is part of the diencephalon that is a sensory and motor signal relay to and from the cortex and plays a role in the regulation of consciousness and sleep
hypothalamus
a deep brain structure that is part of the diencephalon that produces many of its functions by signaling to the pituitary gland
- together they control the endocrine system
endocrine system
plays a role in the regulation of body temperature, thirst, sleep/wake cycle, hunger, sexual behaviors, heart rate, blood pressure, and more
mamilllary bodies
a pair of small round bodies, located on the undersurface of the brain
- act as a relay for information coming from the amygdala and hippocampus, via the mamillo-thalamic tract to the thalamus
- play a role in memory recollection/retrieval
hippocampus
located within the brain’s medial temporal lobe; associated primarily with memory, in particular the transfer or short-term (working) memory to long-term memory
- plays an important role in spatial memory and navigation
third ventricle
one of four connected fluid-filled cavities comprising the ventricular system in the brain
- located directly in the midline diencephalong directly between the left and right thalamus, and is filled with CSF
- running through the third ventricle is the interthalamic adhesion, which connects the two thalami from either side of the brain to form the structure of the third ventricle in between them
cerebral aqueduct
part of the ventricular system located within the mesencephalon (or midbrain) and contains CSF
- connects the third ventricle in the diencephalon to the fourth ventricle within the region of the mesnecephalon and metencephalon, above the cerebellum
superior colliculi
a paired structure in the midbrain
- part of the tectum
- the two superior colliculi sit below the thalamus and surround the pineal gland in the midbrain
- comprises the dorsal aspect (or “roof”) of the midbrain above the cerebral aqueduct
fourth ventricle
one of the four connected CSF-filled cavities within the brain
- characteristic diamond shape in sagittal sections
- CSF entering the fourth ventricle from the cerebral aqueduct exits the ventricular system into the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord
- has a roof dorsally formed by the cerebellum, a floor ventrally formed by the pons, and upper half of the medulla, and side walls formed by the cerebellar peduncies
cerebellum
unconsciously monitoring and correcting motor control of muscles for smooth and coordinated movement
insular cortex functions
-sensory processing
-feelings and emotions
-motor control
-risk prediction
-decision-making
-bodily self-awareness
-complex social functions like empathy
