lec 2 Flashcards
Brain stem components
The medulla (oblongata): connects the higher-order brain structures to the spinal cord. Highly involved in respiration, heart rate, body temperature, reflexes such as vomiting, coughing, sneezing & swallowing.
The pons: Relays messages from the cortex and the cerebellum (part of brain involved in gait & movement). The pons plays a key role in sleep and dreaming, in particular rapid eye movement sleep.
Midbrain: associated with relay of information to the frontal cortex. Highly involved in movement and higher-order thinking. Where an important neurochemical: dopamine is formed. Involved in relaying auditory & visual information.
Brain Major Areas
Hindbrain
Midbrain
Forebrain
Cerebral Cortex
Forebrain components
Diencephalon - Thalamus Organising sensory information
Diencephalon
- Hypothalamus, Endocrine System, Thermoregulation
- Pituitary ,Endocrine System
Telencephalon
- Cerebral Cortex,Consciousness, language
- Limbic System,Memory, motivation, emotion
- Olfactory Bulb,Smell
Brain regions effected in utero by alcohol abuse
Cerebrum: Largest portion of the brain, including the cerebral hemispheres (cerebral cortex and basal ganglia) - involved in controlling consciousness and voluntary processes
Corpus callosum: The fibres that connect the left and right hemispheres
Hippocampus: Part of the limbic system, which is involved in emotional aspects of survival behaviour and plays a significant role in memory
Basal ganglia: A group of structures lying deep in the brain involved in movement and cognition
Cerebellum: Involved in maintenance of posture, balance and coordination
Cortex: Outer layer of grey matter covering the surface of the cerebrum and the cerebellum
Neo-cortex: Outermost portion of the cerebral cortex; contains the most structurally complex brain tissue.
Thalamus: Communication centre that relays information to the cerebral cortex, plays an important role in speech
Hypothalamus: Plays an important role in sleep and hormone regulation
