MODULE I - BASIC BRAIN ACTIVITY Flashcards
(A) BRAIN (B) NEURONS (C) HEMISPHERES (D) LOBES (E0 LANDMARKS
What are the primary functions of the ventricles in the brain?
production and distribution of cerebral spinal fluid
How many main ventricles are there in the brain, and what are they called?
There are four main ventricles in the brain: two lateral ventricles, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle. The ventricles of the brain are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
what is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
clear colorless liquid that that forms a protective layer around the brain; also removes toxins
what is hydrocephalus - revise further and add more (important)
when CSF circulation is blocked (perhaps by a tumor)
where is brocas found?
in the left frontal lobe, near the temporal
in the vast majority of people where does brocas reside
in the left cerebral hemisphere, above the Sylvian fissure
what is the important role of brocas
Language production, both speech and written
What is brocas aphasia?
Patients will experience difficulty in finding words and phrases
function of wernicke’s area
language comprehension, understanding speech and written language
where is wernicke’s area
in the cortex of the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain, typically in the posterior part, near the junction between the temporal and parietal lobes
what is wernicke’s aphasia
damage to the Wernicke’s region results in a deficit where patients are unable to understand words more symbols whether auditory, tactile or visual.
what is the primary somatosensory cortex is responsible for?
processing somatic sensations, or sensations from the body that include touch, proprioception (i.e. the position of the body in space), nociception (i.e. pain), and temperature
where is the primary somatosensory cortex located
in a ridge of cortex called the postcentral gyrus; posterior of the Rolandic fissure and anterior of the parietal lobe.
where is the motor cortex
is a region of the posterior of the frontal lobe known as the precentral gyrus: also anterior of the Rolandic fissure. And stretching right temporal lobe to left temporal lobe.
purpose of the motor cortex
involved with voluntary movement
what are the two primary regions of the motor cortex
primary motor cortex and the nonprimary motor cortex.
where is the primary motor cortex located
the precentral gyrus
what is the primary motor cortex responsible for
motor control of different parts of the body and contains a motor map of the body
where is the cerebellum located?
under the posterior and inferior region of the cerebral cortex (back and below of the cerbreal cortex) - and directly inferior of the occipital lobe
what are functions of the cerebellum
balance, timing, movement
what are the functions of the spinocerebellum
it is involved with posture, limb movement, and eye movements
what part of the brain has the largest collection of white matter [check/verify]
corpus callosum
what connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres
corpus callosum
describe the corpus callosum
a large, C-shaped nerve fiber bundle that stretches across the midline of the brain, connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres and allows data/information to be transferred between hemispheres
what is a corpus callosotomy
corpus callosum surgically severed– to stop the spread of epileptic seizures (prevent a focal seizure from generalizing)
what are the 3 components of the brain stem
medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain
describe the brain stem
stalk that leaves the base of the brain and connects the brain to the spinal cord
what is the medulla oblangada responsible for
voluntary functions; reflexive actions, including vomiting, swallowing, coughing, and sneezing
what is the pons responsible for
breathing, respiratory - motor movement of the eyes, face, and mouth, hearing, equilibrium, and autonomic functions like tear and saliva production
what is the mid brain responsible for
wakefulness, temperature regulation
what is the lowest part of the brainstem
medulla oblongata
what is perhaps the most important action of the medulla
regulation of cardiovascular and respiratory functions
what are the the 2 important tracts for movement found in the triangular bundles of fiber in the medulla
The corticospinal tract and corticobulbar tracts for movement
where is the mid brain located?
brain stem
where is the pons found
found above the medulla and below the midbrain
how is the pons attached to the cerebellum
by the middle cerebellar peduncles, a major pathway between the brainstem and cerebellum
what is the main function of the thalamus
a relay station for information that is traveling to the cortex
how is the thalamus described
as a relay station because a great deal of the information that proceeds to the cortex first stops in the thalamus before being sent on to its destination
what are the ventricles
a network of cavities that are distributed throughout the brain
what is the choroid plexus composed of
glial cells called ependymal cells
what is the name of the cell in the ventricles that secretes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Ependymal cells
describe the CSF
Cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF as it is commonly called, is a clear colorless liquid that performs a number of important functions in the brain. Among other things, csf surrounds the brain, forming a protective layer and suspending the brain in fluid, which reduces the strain forces like gravity would have on the brain. Also, it constantly flows through and around the brain removing toxins and regulating the extracellular environment of neurons.
What are the two sets of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the brain
The vertebral and carotid arteries
Where is the circle of Willis located?
Near the bottom of the brain
What is the function of the circle of Willis
blood vessels that circulate blood from the front of the brain to the back of the brain
What is the function of the hippocampus
Supports. Memory, learning, navigation and perception of space
What is the function of the amygdala
regulates emotion and memory and are associated with the brain’s reward system, stress, and the fight or flight response
What are the functions of the hypothalamus
Regulates body temperature, synchronizes sleep patterns, controls hunger and thirst and also plays a role in some aspects of memory and emotion
What are the four lobes of the brain?
Frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal
What is the name of the protective covering that surround the brain and spinal chord?
The meninges
The meninges consists of 3 layers of protective covering - what are they called
The dura mater, the arachnoid mater, the pia mater
What is the corpus callousum
It is a C-shaped structure of white matter and nerves pathways found in the centre of the two halves of the brain (in the centre of the cerebrum)
What are the 3 main parts of the brain?
Cerebrum, brain stem and cerebellum
What are the two main components of the central nervous system CNS?
The brain and the spinal chord
What is the Neuron?
A neuron is a specialized cell in the nervous system that is responsible for transmitting information throughout the body. Neurons are the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, functioning as the basic building blocks that enable communication between different parts of the body.
What are the main parts of a neuron?
Neurons consist of parts: Cell Body (Soma), Nucleus, Dendrites, Axon Hillock, Axon, Myelin sheath, Schwann Cells, Nodes of Ranvir, Terminus, Synapsis.
What is the function of the Cell Body (Soma) in a neuron?
It integrates incoming signals, maintains the neuron’s health and generates outgoing signals to the axon.
What role does the Nucleus play in a neuron?
It regulates cellular activities and contains the cell’s genetic material.
What is the function of Dendrites in a neuron?
They receive signals from other neurons and convert them into electrical impulses. Or communicate signals to other neurons, muscle or organs.
What is the role of the Axon Hillock in a neuron?
It initiates action potentials when incoming signals are strong enough.
What function does the axon serve in a neuron?
It transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body.
What is the function of the Mylen Sheath in a neuron?
It insulates the axon and speeds up impulse transmission.
What role do Schwann Cells play in the nervous system?
They produce the myelin sheath and support peripheral neurons.
What is the function of the nodes of Ranvier in a neuron?
They facilitate faster impulse transmission by allowing saltatory conduction.
What is the function of the Axon Terminus?
It releases neurotransmitters to communicate with other cells.
What role does a synapse play in neuronal communication?
It is the junction where neurotransmitters are exchanged between neurons.
What’s the difference between neurophysiology and neurology
Both pertain to the nervous system but differ in their focus and scope.
Neurophysiology has to do with where the brain meets the body. Neurology has to do with only the brain.
What are the brain hemispheres?
The brain hemispheres are the two symmetrical parts of the brain, the right and left hemispheres, each responsible for different functions within the body. Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body.
What functions does the left hemisphere perform?
The left hemisphere is responsible for logical thinking, mathematical skills, analysis, and language abilities. It also controls the right side of the body.
What functions does the right hemisphere perform?
The right hemisphere is responsible for creativity, spatial abilities, imagination, and understanding emotions. It also controls the left side of the body.
How many lobes are in the brain, and what are they called?
The brain has four main lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
The frontal is responsible for functions related to thinking, planning, decision-making, behavior control, and movement.
What functions does the parietal lobe perform?
The parietal lobe processes sensory information, such as touch, pressure, pain, and temperature, and is essential for spatial thinking.
What role does the temporal lobe play?
The temporal lobe is responsible for hearing, processing sounds, memory, and understanding speech.
What functions does the occipital lobe perform?
The occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual information and interpreting visual stimuli.
What are brain landmarks?
Brain landmarks are anatomical structures and lines on the brain’s surface that help identify its main zones and regions.
What are the primary landmarks on the brain’s surface?
The primary landmarks include the central sulcus (Rolandic Fissure), the lateral sulcus (or Sylvian fissure), and longitudinal fissure.
What is the Central Sulcus (Rolandic Fissure)?
The Central Sulcus is a groove that separates the frontal and parietal lobes, marking the boundary between the areas responsible for motor and sensory functions.
What is the function of the Lateral Sulcus (Sylvian Fissure) ?
The Lateral sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe and is an important landmark for identifying brain regions related to auditory and language functions.
What is the Longitudinal fissure?
The Longitudinal fissure is a deep groove that divides the brain into left and right hemispheres.
What are EEG Landmarks?
EEG landmarks are specific points on the scalp used to accurately place electrodes for measuring brain activity. Common landmarks include the nasion, inion, and preauricular points.
Why are landmarks important in EEG measurements?
Landmarks ensure that electrodes are placed consistently according to the 10-20 system, providing reliable and reproducible measurements of electrical activity in different brain areas.
What is the 10-20 system in EEG?
The 10-20 system is a standardized method for electrode placement, where electrodes are positioned at intervals of 10% or 20% of the distance between the key landmarks, covering all major brain areas.
How are EEG landmarks used to identify brain regions.
EEG landmarks guide electrode placement over specific brain areas, such as the frontal, parietal, and temporal regions, allowing targeted recording of brain activity related to these areas.
What are the nasion and inion in EEG measurement?
The nasion is the point at the bridge of the nose, and the inion is the indention just below the most prominent protuberance at the back of the skull. They are used as reference points to help position EEG electrodes accurately across the scalp.
