Lab Unit 13 - Central Nervous System

Question 1

THE BRAIN

Answer 1

The most complex organ of the nervous system, consisting of a folded, hollow, whitish-gray mass of nervous tissue, connective tissue, and modified epithelium.

Question 2

4 REGIONS OF THE BRAIN

Answer 2

1. Cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum)
2. Diencephalon
3. Cerebellum
4. Brainstem

Question 3

5 LOBES OF THE BRAIN

Answer 3

1. Frontal lobe
2. Parietal lobe
3. Temporal lobe
4. Occipital lobe
5. Insula

Question 4

CEREBRAL CORTEX

Answer 4

The outer 2 millimeters of gray matter of the cerebrum.

Question 5

GRAY MATTER

Answer 5

Gray matter includes cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons.

Question 6

WHITE MATTER

Answer 6

White matter is bundles of myelinated axons. Found deep to gray matter of the cerebral cortex.

Question 7

BASAL NUCLEI

Answer 7

Basal nuclei are clusters of gray matter spread throughout the white matter of the cerebrum. Basal nuclei monitor voluntary motor functions.

Question 8

CORPUS CALLOSUM

Answer 8

The largest tract of cerebral white matter, connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Question 9

DIENCEPHALON

Answer 9

Deep to the cerebral hemispheres in the central core of the brain. Composed of 3 main parts: the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

Question 10

3 PARTS OF THE DIENCEPHALON

Answer 10

1. Thalamus
2. Hypothalamus
3. Epithalamus

Question 11

THALAMUS

Answer 11

Large central egg-shaped mass of gray and white matter. Makes up 80% of diencephalon. The thalamus is the major integration and relay center that edits and sorts info going to the cerebrum. The thalamus is the gateway into the cerebrum.

Question 12

HYPOTHALAMUS

Answer 12

The hypothalamus regulates the endocrine system, monitors the ANS, monitors the sleep-wake cycle, and controls thirst, hunger, and body temperature.

The pituitary gland is connected to the hypothalamus vis the infundibulum.

Question 13

EPITHALAMUS

Answer 13

The epithalamus is the posterior and superior part of the diencephalon. It contains an endocrine organ called the pineal gland that secretes melatonin, helping to regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

Question 14

3 PARTS OF THE BRAINSTEM

Answer 14

1. Midbrain
2. Pons
3. Medulla oblongata

Question 15

MIDBRAIN

Answer 15

The most superior portion of the brainstem. Has roles in movement, sensation, and certain reflexes.

Question 16

PONS

Answer 16

Inferior to the midbrain and bulges anteriorly. The pons controls rhythm for breathing and the sleep cycle.

Question 17

MEDULLA OBLONGATA

Answer 17

Works with the pons to control ventilation. The MO regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and certain reflexes such as vomiting.

Question 18

CEREBELLUM

Answer 18

The third major component of the brain, composed of gray matter (cerebellar cortex) and white matter (arbor vitae). The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating and planning motor activities and is critical in reducing and preventing motor error with movement.

Question 19

DURA MATER

Answer 19

The toughest and outermost meninx. Thick and leathery. Cranial dura mater has 2 layers (periosteal and meningeal layers). Spinal dura mater has only one layer.

Question 20

ARACHNOID MATER

Answer 20

The middle meninx. Allows CSF to re-enter the blood.

Question 21

PIA MATER

Answer 21

“Tender mother.” The thinnest, innermost meninx. Cranial pia mater follows the contours of the gyri and sulci, and is richly supplied with blood vessels. In the spinal meninges, pia mater has small extensions called denticulate ligaments.

Question 22

DENTICULAR LIGAMENTS

Answer 22

Small extensions of pia mater in the spinal meninges. Denticulate ligaments secure the spinal cord to the vertebral column.

Question 23

FILUM TERMINALE

Answer 23

Long, fibrous extensions of pia mater that continue long after the spinal cord ends. These eventually attach to the coccyx.

Question 24

VENTRICLES

Answer 24

Hollow spaces in the brain that are filled with CSF. There are 4 ventricles: 2 lateral ventricles, a third ventricle, and fourth ventricle.

Question 25

DURAL SINUSES

Answer 25

All deoxygenated blood from the brain drains into the dural sinuses, which in turn drain into veins exiting the head and neck.

Question 26

GRAY MATTER ANTERIOR HORNS

Answer 26

Gray matter anterior horns in the spinal cord contain the cell bodies of motor neurons.

Question 27

GRAY MATTER POSTERIOR HORNS

Answer 27

Gray matter posterior horns in the spinal cord contain the cell bodies of sensory neurons.

Question 28

GRAY MATTER LATERAL HORNS

Answer 28

Gray matter lateral horns of the spinal cord contain the cell bodies of autonomic neurons.

Question 29

FUNICULI

Answer 29

Funiculi is spinal white matter that surrounds the gray horns. Anterior, posterior, and lateral funiculi contain tracts, either ascending or descending.

Question 30

TRACTS

Answer 30

White matter, bundles of axons.

Question 31

ASCENDING TRACTS

Answer 31

Ascending tracts are white matter tracts that carry sensory information from sensory neurons TO the brain.

Question 32

DESCENDING TRACTS

Answer 32

Descending tracts are white matter tracts that carry motor information FROM the brain to motor neurons.

Question 33

CONUS MEDULLARIS

Answer 33

The tapered end of the spinal cord.

Question 34

CAUDA EQUINA

Answer 34

“Horses tail.” Tuft of nerve roots. Cauda equina fills the remainder of the vertebral column to the sacrum.

Question 35

PRECENTRAL GYRUS

Answer 35

Primary motor cortex

Question 36

POSTCENTRAL GYRUS

Answer 36

Primary somatosensory cortex