Neuroanatomy Flashcards
What is neuroanatomy?
The structure and organization of the nervous system.
Includes both the CNS and PNS and regions of the brain.
What is gross neuroanatomy?
Anatomical features of the nervous system that are apparent to the naked eye
The brain is compartmentalized. What does this mean?
Regions of the brain are specialized for different functions, which makes the brain efficient at processing multiple sources of information.
This is a useful evolutionary adaptation.
How is the brain parsed?
By structure (cortical architecture) and function
What divides the brain into left and right hemispheres?
Corpus callosum
What are the key characteristics of the cerebral cortex?
- Sulci (valleys) and Gyri (hills)
- ‘Gray’ matter
- Function
What are the 4 lobes of the brain?
- Occipital
- Temporal
- Parietal
- Frontal
What are the key characteristics of subcortical structures?
- Large, gray matter structures
- Lots of connections with other regions
- Diverse functions
What functions is the Basal Ganglia involved in?
- Motor control
- Connections to cortex
What functions is the Limbic System involved in?
- Emotion
- Learning
What functions is the Thalamus involved in?
-Sensory relay station
What functions is the Hypothalamus involved in?
The 4 F’s
- Fucking
- Feeding
- Fighting
- Fleeing
What functions is the Cerebellum involved in?
- Motor coordination
- Learning
How does the horizontal plane divide the brain?
Slices it horizontally
How does the sagittal plane divide the brain?
Vertically
How does the coronal plane divide the brain?
Back of brain to front of brain
What does posterior mean?
towards the back of the brain
What does anterior mean?
towards the front of the brain
The frontal lobe is ______ to the occipital lobe.
anterior
What does dorsal (superior) mean?
towards the top of the brain
What does ventral (inferior) mean?
towards the bottom of the brain
The parietal lobe is ______ to the temporal lobe.
superior
What does medial mean?
towards the middle of the brain
What does lateral mean?
towards the outside of the brain
The corpus callosum is a more ____ structure than the temporal lobe.
medial
Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is most critical for processing music or human speech?
Temporal lobe
Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is most critical for making an important decision or solving a problem?
Frontal lobe
(prefrontal cortex)
(association cortex)
Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is most critical when you visit an art museum?
Occipital lobe
Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is most critical for imagining where furniture is spatially located in your bedroom?
Parietal lobe
Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is most critical when you plan and execute a movement - like reaching out to grab your coffee cup?
Frontal lobe
What part of the brain is necessary when you are coordinating movements during swimming (a repetitive task that involves the same basic movement pattern repeatedly)?
Cerebellum
Henry cannot remember new facts, no matter how many times someone repeats them to him. What part of his brain is probably damaged?
Hippocampus
What part of the brain is the ‘central relay station’?
Thalamus
What is visual agnosia / prosopagnosia?
- Damage to visual association areas in the occipital lobe
- Damage to the fusiform face area
- Leads to sensation without perception
What can cause auditory hallucinations?
Temporal lobe seizures
What are the two cell types found in the brain?
- Neurons
- Glia
What are the key characteristics of glia cells?
- Structural support
- Insulation
- Storing energy
- ‘Cleaning up’
- Influence communication between neurons
What are the two components of the neuron doctrine?
- The brain is composed of separate neurons and other cells that are independent structurally, metabolically, and functionally.
- Information is transmitted from cell to cell across tiny gaps (synapses)
For any behavior or mental process to occur, neurons must ______.
communicate
Neural communication is based on…
the structure of the neuron and how the structure supports neuronal functioning
What are the 4 functional subdivisions of neurons?
- Input zone
- Integration zone
- Conduction zone
- Output zone
The cells in the CNS are called _______.
oligodendrocytes
The cells in the PNS are called ________.
Schwann cells
What is the typical size of a neuron?
10-100 micrometers in diameter
How can a neuron be shaped?
- Bipolar
- Unipolar
- Multipolar
Define the input zone
Where neurons collect and integrate information, either from the environment or from other cells
Involves the dendrites
Define the integration zone
Where the decision to produce a neural signal is made
Involves the axon hillock
Define the conduction zone
Where information can be transmitted over great distances
Involves the axon and myelin sheath
Define the output zone
Where the neuron transfers information to other cells
Involves the axon terminals
How can neurons be classified according to function?
- Interneurons
- Sensory neurons
- Motor neurons
Neuronal communication occurs through….
Electrical signaling (action potentials)
Chemical signaling (release of neurotransmitters)
