Neuroanatomy Flashcards

1
Q

What is the central nervous system (CNS) composed of? What does the CNS contain?

A

Brain, spinal cord

Motor, sensory and relay neurons

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2
Q

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS) composed of? (What types?)

A
cranial nerves (12), spinal nerves, peripheral nerves
Motor and sensory neurons
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3
Q

What is the autonomic nervous system?

A

Is present in both the CNS and PNS
Is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic
Innervates the viscera and smooth muscle

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4
Q

What 2 ways can the nervous system be classified to according to a) function b) location?

A

a) Somatic and autonomic N.S.

b) central and peripheral N.S. - CNS, PNS

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5
Q

What is somatic nervous system?

A

Is present in CNS and PNS
Is under our control to a degree
Innervates skeletal muscle
Detects changes in external environment and controls movement

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6
Q

Name 9 functions of the parasympathetic nerves in the autonomic N.S (ANS).

A
Constrict pupils
Stimulates salvia
Slows heartbeat
Constricts airways
Stimulates activity of stomach
Inhibits release of glucose, stimulates gallbladder
Stimulates activity of intestines
Contracts bladder
Promotes erection of genitals
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7
Q

Name 10 functions of the sympathetic nerves in the autonomic N.S (ANS).

A
Dilate pupils
Inhibits salvia
Increases heartbeat
Relaxes airways
Inhibits activity of stomach
Stimulates release of glucose, inhibits gallbladder
Inhibits activity of intestines
Secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
Relaxes bladder
Promotes ejaculation and vaginal contraction
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8
Q

What type of matter is on the superficial/outer layer of the brain?

A

Grey matter

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9
Q

What type of matter is more deep in the brain?

A

White matter

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10
Q

What is the internal capsule?

A

A longitudinal fissure that splits the brain in 2. There is one internal capsule in each hemisphere. It acts like a funnel.

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11
Q

What is the corona radiata?

A

Funnels neurons from the cortex

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12
Q

What is the corpus callosum?

A

Connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain via white matter (myelinated nerve fibres). This allows communication between the 2 hemispheres

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13
Q

What is the cerebrum?

A

The cerebrum is the higher brain centre. Its the largest part of the brain. Is made up of 2 hemispheres with 4 lobes in each Is contains the diencephalon and the basal ganglia

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14
Q

What is the brainstem?

A

Its responsible for vital functions (respiration, heart rate, sleep-wake cycles). It contains midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata

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15
Q

What are the main structures of the brain?

Name the 4 lobes of the cerebrum

A

Cerebrum, Cerebellum, Brainstem

Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital

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16
Q

What is the difference between sulci and gyri of the brain?

A

Sulci: the indentations between each gyri. (troughs) e.g. central sulcus
Gyri: are the elevated part of the brain - form the ridges (peaks)

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17
Q

What is the function of the frontal lobe?

A

Speech production, intelligence, emotion, personality, movement planning

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18
Q

What is the function of the parietal lobe?

A

Interpreting sensation -identifies the body region being stimulated (this is called spatial discrimation)
Contains the primary somatosensory cortex and the somatosensory association cortex

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19
Q

What is the function of the occipital lobe?

A

Vision

Contains the primary visual cortex and the visual association cortex

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20
Q

What is the function of the temporal lobe?

A

Hearing
Contains the primary auditory cortex
Contains Wernicke’s area which is responsible for understanding and remembering what is heard

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21
Q

What are fissures in the brain?

A

They are deeper sulcus and separate larger regions of the brain e.g. horizontal /transverse fissure, longitudinal fissure separates left and right sides of the brain

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22
Q

What is the function of the primary motor cortex?

A

Controls movement

Is responsible for precise/skilled voluntary skeletal muscle movement

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23
Q

What is the function of the pre-motor cortex?

A

Motor planning

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24
Q

What is the function of Broca’s area?

A

Involved in speech production

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25
Q

What is the difference between damage to Wernecke’s area and Broca’s area?

A

Broca’s area - they know what to say but they cannot say it. May have disorder syntax (speech), get stuck on a word
Wernecke’s area: the sentences do no make sense as the patient is oblivious to this

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26
Q

Where is the motor homunculus located?

A

Pre-central gyrus of the motor cortex

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27
Q

Where is the sensory homunculus located?

A

Post-central gyrus in the somatosensory cortex

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28
Q

What is the motor homunculus?

A

The amount of grey matter given to each body part in the homunculus is governed by the functional requirement of that body part e.g. hands are larger due to their need for fine movements

29
Q

What is the sensory homunculus?

A

The amount of grey matter given to each body part in the homunculus is governed by the sensory requirement of that body part e.g. hands are larger due to their need for a larger amount of sensory input

30
Q

What is the function of the pre-frontal cortex?

A

Takes 25 years to mature

Involved in higher decision-making

31
Q

What structures are contained within the limbic system?

A

Amygdala, hippocampus, cingulate gyrus/cortex, lots of debate

32
Q

What is the function of the limbic system?

A

Processes + regulates emotions, recognises danger

Highly connected to the endocrine and autonomic nervous system

33
Q

What is the function of the hippocampus?

A

Consolidates long-term memories

34
Q

What is the function of the amygdala?

A

Processes smell, emotions and fear. Re-plays memories

35
Q

What is the function of the cingulate gyrus/cortex?

A

Regulates emotions. Directs behaviour to avoid painful situations

36
Q

What is the function of the basal ganglia?

A

Receives sensory and motor information from the cortex and the brainstem
Controls movement, posture and muscle tone

37
Q

What brain structures make up the diencephalon and what are the functions of each?

A

Thalamus - receives information from all over the brain and spinal cord and brings it to the cerebral cortex
Hypothalamus (regulates 4F’s -feeding, fighting, fleeing, fornication)
Epithalamus (secretes melatonin)

38
Q

What is the function of the cerebellum and where is it located?

A

Located between brainstem and cerebrum

Is dedicated to fine motor movement, balance, smooth and co-ordinated movements, motor learning

39
Q

What part of the brainstem is continuous with the spinal cord?

A

Medulla

40
Q

What connects the 3 areas of the brainstem?

A

The reticular formation

41
Q

What is the function of the pons?

A

Breathing, dreaming, links cerebellum to brainstem

42
Q

What is the function of the medulla oblongata?

A

Cardiovascular centres (blood pressure)

43
Q

What is the function of the midbrain?

A

Contain centres for eye movement, blood pressure, processes visual and auditory information, the generation of reflexes

44
Q

From what sugar does the brain take its nutrients?

A

Glucose

45
Q

How does the brain get oxygen and why?

A

The brain cannot make oxygen or store it. It gets oxygen from the blood brain barrier.

46
Q

What 3 arteries diverge from the Circle of Willi?

A

Anterior cerebral artery (ACA)
Middle cerebral artery (MCA)
Posterior cerebral artery (PCA)

47
Q

What areas of the brain does the MCA supply?

A

Lateral aspects of the brain

48
Q

Where does the PCA go to?

A

Occiput

49
Q

What artery branches out from the PCA?

A

Basilar artery

50
Q

What are the levels of protection for the brain?

A

skull, meninges, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), blood brain barrier (BBB)

51
Q

What is the function of CSF?

A

provides nutrition, removes waste from the brain. Protection, provides buoyancy to the brain

52
Q

What are the functions of the skull in protecting the brain?

A

Protects the brain (mechanically) from the jagged ridges inside the skull.

53
Q

What can happen after brain damage?

A

Swelling of the brain causing an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP). This decreases blood flow causing hypoxic damage due to compressed arteries.

54
Q

What are the meninges?

A

Wrap around the brain and spinal cord

55
Q

What are the meninges composed of?

A

Dura mater, pia mater, arachnoid mater

56
Q

Describe the dura mater

A

is composed of 2 layers of dense fibrous tissues called the periosteal layer and the meningeal layer (which forms in-foldings to separate areas of the brain)

57
Q

Describe the pia mater

A

sits on top of the grey matter of the brain

58
Q

Describe the arachnoid mater/subarachnoid space

A

Contains arachnoid villi which are one-way valves where CSF can drain into venous circulation
The subarachnoid space is located between the pia and arachnoid mater. CSF flows in this space

59
Q

Describe where CSF is made in the brain

A

In the ventricles, specifically the choroid plexus which is made up of glial and epidymal cells

60
Q

Where can CSF be found in the body?

A

Brain, spinal cord

61
Q

How many ventricles are in the brain?

A

4 i.e.: 2 lateral ventricles, 3rd and 4th ventricles

62
Q

What is hydrocephelous?

A

A blockage of the arachnoid villi causing swelling of the skull to allow the brain to swell. Only occurs in children as their skull bones have not full fused together

63
Q

What is normal intracranial pressure (ICP)?

A

7-15 mmHg (adult)

3-7 mmHg (child)

64
Q

What is high ICP?

A

20-30 mmHg (mild increase)

>40 mmHg (lift-threatening)

65
Q

What can raised ICP cause?

A

Decreased blood flow and hypoxic damage

66
Q

What can cause raised ICP in adults?

A

Haemorrhagic stroke, infection, blocked shunt

67
Q

What is the blood brain barrier (BBB) made up of?

A

Glial cells, astrocytes, epindymemal cells, oligodendrocytes

68
Q

What is the function of the blood brain barrier?

A

Forms a protective barrier between the blood and the brain. Tight junctions along the BBB allow oxygen, carbon dioxide and glucose into the brain. It keeps out viruses, fungi, bateria