Lecture 3 - Brain Organization

Question 1

what is the structure and location of basal nuclei?

Answer 1

islands of grey matter surrounded by white matter found in cerebrum (putamen & globus pallidus) and midbrain (substantia nigra)

Question 2

what is the function of basal nuclei?

Answer 2

send impulses to motor cortex involved in initiating, planning, programming movement, and inhibiting unwanted muscular activity

Question 3

what are the 2 types of neurons?

Answer 3

stimulatory and inhibitory

Question 4

what is parkinson’s disease?

Answer 4

destruction of dopamine producing neurons in substantia nigra

Question 5

what is huntington’s disease?

Answer 5

destruction of basal ganglia & frontal lobes
causes difficulty performing voluntary & involuntary movement and dementia

Question 6

what are the 3 sections of the brain stem?

Answer 6

midbrain - center for visual/auditory reflexes
pons - respiratory center
medulla oblongata - medullary centers

Question 7

what does the diencephalon consist of?

Answer 7

thalamus and hypothalamus (surrounds 3rd ventricle)

Question 8

what is the thalamus?

Answer 8

2 oval masses of grey matter on either side of 3rd ventricle - sensory relay station from spinal cord to cerebrum

Question 9

what is the hypothalamus?

Answer 9

below thalamus - center for controlling body temperature, activities of ANS, circadian rhythm, emotions, produce hormones to regulate pituitary gland