Lecture 4 - Neuroanatomy II Flashcards
What are the three sturctures that make up the diencephalon? (from superior to inferior)
- The epithalamus
- the thalamus
- the hypothalamus
What does the diencephalon surround?
the 3rd ventricle
What is the epithalamus surrounded by?
the cerebral hemispheres
What is the biggest structure in the diencephalon and what % of it does it comprise?
the thalamus, 80%
What bridges the two paired oval masses of grey matter (of nuclei) that make up the thalamus?
interthalamic adhesion
What surrounds the thalamus? What is it and what does it do?
internal capsule, thick band of white matter that allows info to go from thalamus to cerebral cortex
What are the roles of the thalamus?
- major relay centre for sensory impulses (excpet smell)
- transmits info from cerebellum to primary motor cortex of cerebrum (plays role in motor function)
- rlays nerve impulses from different areas of the cerebrum
- plays role in regulation of autonomic activities and staying conscious
What are the roles of the hypothalamus?
- one of the major regulators of homeostasis
- produces hormone to act on the pituitary gland
- regulates emotional & behavioural patterns (with limbic system)
- plays a role in regulation of eating and drinking, control of body temp and sarcadian rhythms
What branches of the hypothalamus? and what bridges them?
the pituitary gland, the infundibulum (aka infundibular/pituitary stalk)
What are the 2 structures of the epithalamus?
- the habenular nuclei
- the pineal gland
what does the habenular nuclei do?
its involved in the sense of smell and emotions to odour
what does the pineal gland do?
its part of the endorcrine system and it releases melatonine which is a hormone
What three structures make up the brainstem? from superior to inferior
- the midbrain
- the pons
- the medulla oblangata
What is the medulla oblangata a continuation of?
the superior part of the spinal cord
What are the borders of the medulla oblongata?
begins at foramen magnum (of skull) and extends to inferior border of pons (the pontomedullary junction)
What does the medulla oblangata contain?
all sensory (ascending) and motor (descending) tracts that connect the spinal cord to the brain
What are the two prominents bulges on the anterior aspect of the medulla called?
pyramids
What attached the two pyramids?
decussation of pyramids
What percent of axons pass from one pyramid to the other?
90%
What does the crossing of axons between pyramids explain?
It explains why the left side of our brain controls the right side of our body and vice versa
What do the pyramids contain?
several nuclei which plau an important role on the regulation of heart rate, blood vessel diameter, basic rhythm of breathing, reflexes for vomitting, coughning and sneezing
What control center does the pons contain?
the control center for respiration
What are the borders of the midbrain?
extends from pons up to diencephalon
What is the midbrain involved in?
auditory and visual pathway
What is the posterior aspect of the midbrain that we can see called?
The tectum
What are the two stuctures within the tectum?
- superior colliculi
- inferior colliculi
What does the superior colliculi do?
reflex center for visual activities
What does the inferior colliculi do?
reflex center for auditory pathway (from ear to thalamus)
How many cranail nerves are there?
12 pairs
What sentence can be used to rememeber the order fo the cranial nerves?
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