Neuroanatomy Flashcards
2 types of nervous systems
Central nervous system
Peripheral nervous system
Major divisions of the central nervous system
Brain (encephalon)
Forebrain (prosencephalon)
Midbrain (mesencephalon)
Hindbrain (rhombencephalon)
Pons
Medulla
What two parts is the forebrain made up of?
Telencephalon
Diencephalon
Rostral
Towards the head
Caudal
Towards the tail
Grey matter
More complex
Contains neurones and processes and synapses
Cerebral cortex
The grey matter surrounding the cerebrum is known as the cortex of the brain
White matter
White colour comes from myelin
Simpler
Composed of axons
Cabling of the brain- carries impulses across the brain
What are Association fibres?
a type of white matter tract that connects different areas in the same hemisphere
Types of association fibres
Short association fibres- carry info within a hemisphere
Long range association fibres- connect distant part of the cerebral cortex in the same side
What are commissural fibres?
Type of white matter tract that connect an area in one hemisphere with an area in the opposite hemisphere
Largest set of commissural fibres
Corpus callosum
This crosses between the two hemispheres- left and right
What are projection fibres?
are a type of white matter tract that connects the cortex with other areas in the CNS
They may be efferent (motor) or afferent tracts (sensory)
Carry fibres up/down
Eg corticospinal tract- carries motor signals from the cerebrum to the spinal cord
Main lobes of the forebrain
Frontal lobe
Temporal lobe
Cerebellum
Occipital lobe
Parietal lobe
What is the function of the pre central sulcus?
Location of Where the upper motor neurones control motor functions
What is the insula and operculum?
The operculum is the cortical structure which forms the lid over the insular cortex, overlapping it and covering it from external view
Functions of the insula and operula
disgust
emotion
homeostasis
perception
motor control
self-awareness
cognitive functioning (thinking/reasoning)
interpersonal experience
Frontal lobe
Motor function, problem solving, memory, judgement, impulse control, higher cognitive function, language, executive function.
Motor cortex- homunculus
topographic representation of the body parts and its correspondents along the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe
Motor cortex- homunculus
Dedication of particular size of brain to body is determined by the complex movements of that part of the body
Eg; similar amount of brain dedicated to tongue as to the trunk (which is massive)
Temporal lobe
Semantic processing (the meaning and identity of things), memory, Language, primary auditory cortex
Facial recognition