Nervous System Brain Flashcards
what is the brain?
controls body activities
what is the largest part of the brain?
cerebrum
cerebral cortex
outer region of the cerebrum
gyri (gyrus)
sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded ridge on the surface of the cerebral cortex
sulci (sulcus)
depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex
brain is divided in half, a right and left side? What is this called?
cerebral hemisphere
4 lobes of the brain
frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital
Frontal lobe is responsible for?
thought processes, behavior, personality, emotion
Parietal lobe is responsible for?
body, sensations, visual and spatial perception
Temporal lobe is responsible for?
hearing, understanding speech, language
Occipital lobe is responsible for?
vision
What is the cerebrum responsible for?
thinking, personality, sensations, movements, memory, judgment, association and discrimination
what are ventricles?
spaces or canals in the middle of the cerebrum
what do ventricles contain?
watery fluid that flows throughout the brain and spinal cord. Called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
what does cerebrospinal fluid do?
protects the brain and spinal cord from shock by acting like a cushion
what is the thalamus?
relay station (triage center) selectively processing and relaying only important information to the cerebral cortex, plays an important role in maintaining levels of awareness and consciousness
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
control body temperature, sleep, appetite, sexual desire, and emotions. Also regulates the release of hormones from the pituitary gland and integrates the activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
what 4 structures within the brain lie in the back and below the cerebrum and connect the cerebrum with the spinal cord?
cerebellum, midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata
what is the function of the cerebellum?
coordinates voluntary movements and maintains balance and posture
what is the function of the midbrain?
the uppermost portion of the brainstem containing pathways connecting the cerebrum with lower portions of the brain and structures involved with seeing and hearing
what is the function of the pons?
part of the brainstem that literally means bridge. Contains nerve fiber tracts that connect the cerebellum and cerebrum with the rest of the brain. Nerves affecting the face and eye movement located here
what is the function of the medulla oblongata?
connects the spinal cord to the rest of the brain. Nerve tracts cross from the right to left and left to right. Cells send out axons that cross over (decussate) to the opposite side of the brain in the medulla oblongata and then travel down the spinal cord
What are the 3 important vital centers regulated by the medulla oblongata?
Respiratory center (controls muscles of respiratory center), cardiac center (controls heart rate), and vasomotor center (constricts or dilates) muscles in the walls of blood vessels, influencing blood pressure)
