Nervous Sustem

Question 1

What is the CNS

Answer 1

Central nervous system - consists of the brain and spinal cord. There is a close relationship between the two. Information between the brain and the spinal cord travels between ascending and descending tracts

Question 2

What parts can the brain be divided into

Answer 2

The Forebrain - the largest and most highly developed part of the brain. It consists primarily of the cerebrum and the structures hidden beneath it

Cerebellum - coordinates movements and is involved in learned movements

The Midbrain - the uppermost part of the brain stem is the midbrain. This controls some of the reflex actions and is part of the circuit involved in the controlling of eye movements and other voluntary movements.

The Hindbrain - upper part of the spinal cord, the brain stem and cerebellum. The hindbrain controls the body’s vital functions such as respiration and heart rate.

Question 3

What are the 4main lobes the brain can be divided into

Answer 3

Temporal
Parietal
Occipital
Frontal

Question 4

What is the meninges of the brain

Answer 4

Layers of protection that surround the brain and the spinal chord

Question 5

What are the three layers of the meninges

Answer 5

Dura mater - this is the outermost layer and it is thick and tough. It includes two layers: the periosteal layer and the meningeal layer. The periosteal layer lines the inner dome of the skull and the meningeal layer is below that.

Arachnoid mater - this is a thin weblike layer of connective tissue that does not contain nerves or blood vessels. Below the arachnoid mater is the cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid cushions the entire central nervous system

Pia mater - thin membrane that hugs the surface of the brain and follows its contours. This mater is rich with veins and arteries.

Question 6

What is the general anatomy of the brain

Answer 6

• 2 hemispheres connected by corpus callosum
• 4 lobes
• each hemisphere receives sensory information from, and sends motor commands to, the opposite side of the body due to pyramidal decussation.
• gyri are the bunks of the cerebrum which are made by grey matter
• sulci are the grooves in the cerebrum

Question 7

What’s the role of sulci and gyri

Answer 7

Increase the surface area of the brain to allow for more cerebral cortex matter to fit inside the skull

Question 8

What is the cingulate gyrus

Answer 8

This is a component of the limbic system, consisting of a curved fold that covers the corpus callosum. It has a role in processing emotions and the regulation of behaviour as well as the ability to process information relating to the spatial orientation of objects in the environment.

Question 9

What is he Precentral gyrus

Answer 9

Responsible for executing voluntary movements, located in the most posterior position of the frontal lobe, outlining the temporal lobe. It is believed to contain the motor control for the torso, arms, hands, fingers and head.

Question 10

What is the superior temporal gyrus

Answer 10

This contains the auditory cortex, which is responsible for the processing of sound. This holds the Wernicke’s area which is vital for language development and understanding

Question 11

What is the longitudinal fissur e

Answer 11

A deep furrow located in the centre of the brain that separates the right and left hemisphere. Within this fissure is the corpus callosum.

Question 12

What is the central sulcus

Answer 12

Aka the sulcus of Ronaldo - it separates the parietal and the frontal lobe

Question 13

What is the parieto-occipital sulcus

Answer 13

groove that separates the parietal and occipital lobe

Question 14

What is the lateral,sulcus

Answer 14

Groove that separates the parietal and temporal lobes

Question 15

What hypothalamus do

Answer 15

Functions as the interface with the pituitary gland
- maintains homeostasis via coordination with the nervous and endocrine system
- the hypothalamus also produces some hormones directly

Question 16

What pituitary gland do

Answer 16

Considered the “master gland” - it produces hormones that regulate other glands and target organs. It has two lobes, the anterior and posterior lobe. The lobes secreting different hormones

Question 17

What does the medulla oblongata do

Answer 17

A connection between the brain stem and the spinal chord

Question 18

What are ascending tracts of the spine

Answer 18

Ascending tracts carry sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the brain. They transmit signals related to touch, pain, temperature, proprioception and other sensory modalities. Examples include:
- spinothalamic tract
- dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway
- spinocerebellar tracts

Question 19

What are descending tracts

Answer 19

Descending tracts carry motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord and peripheral nerves, controlling voluntary movements and reflexes. They also play a role in regulating autonomic fu cations such as heart rate, blood pressure and respiration.