Neuroanatomy Flashcards
What is anatomy?
The study of the structure of the human body.
What does gross anatomy focus on?
Structures visible to the naked eye.
Define histology
The study of tissues and organs at a microscopic level.
Name the four lobes of the cerebrum
- Frontal lobe
- Parietal lobe
- Occipital lobe
- Temporal lobe
What is the main function of the frontal lobe?
Responsible for executive functions, motor control, and decision-making.
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Which lobe processes sensory information?
The parietal lobe.
What is the cerebellum responsible for?
Coordination of movement, balance, and posture
What functions are associated with the temporal lobe?
Hearing, language comprehension, and memory.
Which lobe is responsible for vision?
The occipital lobe.
What does the brainstem regulate?
Breathing, heart rate, certain reflexes, and alertness.
What is the function of dendrites?
To receive input from the external environment or other neurons.
Define neuron.
A nerve cell that includes a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.
What is grey matter composed of?
Neuron cell bodies.
What is white matter composed of?
Myelinated axons.
How many cranial nerves are there?
12 pairs.
What is the function of Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)?
Smell (sensory only).
What is the meninges?
Three layers that protect the brain and spinal cord (dura, arachnoid, and pia mater
What is the purpose of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
Provides protection, nutrition, waste removal, and maintains homeostasis for the CNS.
What is the ventricular system?
A network in the brain where CSF is secreted and flows to support the CNS.
What is Cranial Nerve II, and what does it do?
Optic Nerve (CN II), responsible for vision (sensory).
What is the primary function of Cranial Nerve III?
Oculomotor Nerve (CN III), controls most eye movements, eyelid elevation, and pupil constriction (motor).
Which cranial nerve is responsible for moving the eye downward and laterally?
Trochlear Nerve (CN IV), which innervates the superior oblique muscle (motor).
Describe the functions of Cranial Nerve V.
Trigeminal Nerve (CN V), responsible for facial sensation (sensory) and controlling the muscles of mastication (motor).
mastication means chewing food
What is the role of Cranial Nerve VI?
Abducens Nerve (CN VI), controls lateral eye movement by innervating the lateral rectus muscle (motor).
Which cranial nerve controls facial expressions?
Facial Nerve (CN VII), also involved in taste for the anterior 2/3 of the tongue, and salivary and tear glands (mixed).
What is Cranial Nerve VIII, and what are its two primary functions?
Vestibulocochlear Nerve (CN VIII), responsible for hearing (cochlear) and balance (vestibular) (sensory).
Which cranial nerve is involved in taste, swallowing, and salivati
Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX), which also provides sensation from the posterior 1/3 of the tongue and monitors blood pressure in the carotid artery (mixed).
Describe the functions of Cranial Nerve X.
Vagus Nerve (CN X), regulates heart rate, gastrointestinal peristalsis, sweating, and muscle movements in the voice box, pharynx, and larynx (mixed).
Which nerve is responsible for shoulder and neck movement?
Accessory Nerve (CN XI), specifically controlling the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles (motor).
What is the function of Cranial Nerve XII?
Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII), controls tongue movements important for speech, food manipulation, and swallowing (motor).
Which cranial nerves have only sensory functions?
Olfactory (I), Optic (II), and Vestibulocochlear (VIII).
Which cranial nerves have only motor functions?
Oculomotor (III), Trochlear (IV), Abducens (VI), Accessory (XI), and Hypoglossal (XII).
Name the cranial nerves with mixed (both sensory and motor) functions.
Trigeminal (V), Facial (VII), Glossopharyngeal (IX), and Vagus (X).
What are the two main parts of the skull?
Neurocranium (protects the brain) and Viscerocranium (bones of the face).
What is the function of the neurocranium?
It surrounds and protects the brain, consisting of eight bones that form the cranial cavity.
Which bones make up the neurocranium?
Frontal, parietal (2), temporal (2), occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
What is the role of the viscerocranium?
It forms the facial structure and supports the openings for the respiratory and digestive systems.
Which bones are part of the viscerocranium?
Nasal, maxilla, zygomatic, palatine, lacrimal, vomer, inferior nasal concha, and mandible.
What is the foramen magnum and where is it located?
A large opening at the base of the occipital bone, allowing the spinal cord to connect to the brain.
Describe the temporal bone and its significance.
Located on the sides of the skull, housing the structures of the inner and middle ear, and articulating with the mandible at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
What is the sphenoid bone known for?
It is a key structural bone located at the base of the skull, connecting with many other skull bones and housing the pituitary gland in the sella turcica.
What are sutures in the skull?
Immovable joints that connect skull bones; main sutures include the coronal, sagittal, lambdoid, and squamous sutures.
What is the function of the ethmoid bone?
Located between the eyes, it forms part of the nasal cavity and the orbits, with the cribriform plate allowing passage of olfactory nerves.
What is the mandible?
The lower jawbone, the only movable bone of the skull, responsible for chewing and forming part of the structure of the mouth.
Which bone forms the forehead and upper part of the eye sockets?
The frontal bone.
What role does the parietal bone play in the skull?
Located on the sides and top of the skull, it forms the roof and sides of the cranial cavity.
Where is the occipital bone located, and what is its function?
Located at the back and base of the skull, it contains the foramen magnum and articulates with the cervical spine.
What are Glia?
Non-neuronal cells that support the nervous system
