NEURO ANATOMY Flashcards
The cerebrum (a.k.a. forebrain) is composed of two parts:
**Telencephalon **(composed of cerebral cortex, white matter and basal ganglia)
Diencephalon which occupies a region of the brain around the third ventricle.
The diencephalon is divided into four distinct parts:
- Thalamus
- Epithalamus
- Subthalamus
- Hypothalamus:
Major function of the Thalamus:
The Thalamus is considered to be the central relay station of the brain that relays limbic, sensory and motor information between the cerebral cortex and the rest of the nervous system.
Major part and function of the Subthalamus
The largest part of the subthalamus is the **subthalamic nucleus **which plays a fundamental role in the circuitry of the basal ganglia (i.e. movement regulation).
What is the purpose of basal ganglia
Movement regulation
Where is the Hypothalamus:
The inferiormost part of the diencephalon, located anteroinferior to the thalamus.
What are the general functions of the hypothalamus?
The hypothalamus forms connections with different body systems:
- endocrine
- autonomic
- limbic
Where is the DIENCEPHALON located?
The diencephalon is the central portion of the brain located around the third ventricle, superior to the brainstem (medulla, pons and midbrain), and inferior to the corpus callosum and cerebral cortex.
Thalamus
Location: Superior/rostral to brainstem, either side of third ventricle
Main parts: Anterior and posterior poles
Function: Relays limbic, sensory and motor information between the cerebral cortex and the rest of the nervous system
Epithalamus
Location: Posterior/dorsal part of diencephalon
Main parts: Pineal gland, habenular nuclei, stria medullaris, and posterior commissure
Function: Regulation of circadian rhythms responsible for regular sleep and wake cycles
Subthalamus
Location: Inferior to posterior part of the thalamus; posterior and lateral to hypothalamus
Main parts: Subthalamic nucleus, nuclei of perizonal fields (of Forel), zona incerta, pregeniculate nucleus
Function: Movement regulation
Hypothalamus
Location: Anteroinferior to thalamus
Main parts: Periventricular zone, medial zone, lateral zone
Function: Vital functions of the human body (e.g. homeostasis, energy consumption, hunger, awareness)
Where is the limbic system?
It us formed a physical border between the hypothalamus and the cerebrum. Therefore, it was called the limbic system; arising from the Latin word limbus, meaning edge
Purpose of the Limbic system
The limbic system is considered to be the epicentre of emotional and behavioral expression
5 purposes for Limbic System
- feeding (satiety and hunger),
- forgetting (memory)
- fighting (emotional response),
- family (sexual reproduction, maternal instincts),
- fornicating (sexual arousal)
Overview of HYPOTHALAMUS
The hypothalamus is the principal visceral control center of the brain and mediates a broad range of functions via its connections with the endocrine, autonomic (visceral motor), somatic motor, and limbic systems, maintaining a state of homeostasis. Despite its small size of roughly 0.3% of the brain volume, it controls vital body functions including body temperature, blood circulation, food intake, fluid and electrolyte balance, the sleep-wake cycle, metabolism and sexual behaviour.