Neuroanatomy Exam 1 Flashcards
Two Basic Divisions of the Nervous System
PNS and CNS
PNS
Spinal nerves and cranial nerves that convey messages to and from the CNS
CNS
Brain and Spinal Cord
Subdivisions of the Brain
1) Cerebrum
- cerebral hemispheres (separated by longitudinal fissure) and Diencephalon
2) Cerebellum
3) Brainstem
Neuron
-structural and functional unit of the nervous system
-receives and transmits bioelectrical signals across synapses
Made of: cell body, neurites (dentrites and axons)
what are the different types of neurons?
multipolar, bipolar and unipolar
what is the most common pathway for a neurotransmitter?
axon to dendrite
Axons in the central nervous system are called
Tract, Lemniscus and Peduncle
Axons in the peripheral nervous system are called
nerves
ipsalateral
same side of
contralateral
opposite side of
ex. the lesion is on the opposite side of the deficet
bilateral
both sides
decussation
pyramidal decussation –> connects dissimilar places
commissure
corpus callosum –> connects similar places in the right and left brain
Sagittal/parasagittal plane
midline/ parallel to midline
coronal/frontal plane
parallel to the long axis of the body
transverse/horizontal plane
perpendicular to the long axis of the body
Cerebral surface
- heavily convoluted
- increases surface area
- we have 2.5 squared feet of cortex (most of which in sulcal walls
functional subdivisions of the cerebral hemisphere (lobes)
Frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal and limbic
Precentral gyrus function
frontal lobe
primary motor cortex, origin of descending motor pathway and initiates voluntary movements
premotor and supplemental motor area location
frontal lobe
part of the precentral, nearby portions of superior and middle frontal gyri
Brocas Area function
frontal lobe
inferior frontal gyrus of one hemisphere (usually left) for the production of spoken and written language
prefrontal cortex function and location
frontal lobe
rest of the frontal lobe, executive functions (personality, foresight and insight)
Frontal Lobe Landmarks
precentral gyrus and sulcus, frontal gyri (superior, middle and inferior), orbital surface, orbital/orbitofrontal gyri, gyrus rectus, olfactory sulcus with tract and bulb
Parietal Lobe, Lateral surface landmarks
postcentral gyrus, superior parietal lobule and inferior parietal lobule
Parietal Lobe, Medial surface landmarks
precuneus, paracentral lobule
postcentral gyrus function
parietal lobe
primary somatosensory cortex, concerned with initial processing of tactile and and proprioceptive information
inferior parietal lobule function
parietal lobe
one hemisphere only (usually left) involved with language comprehension
Rest of the parietal cortex functions
complex aspects of spatial orientation and directing attention
Temporal lobe, lateral surface landmarks
superior, middle and inferior temporal gyri
Temporal lobe, inferior surface landmarks
occipitotemporal (fusiform) gyrus
primary auditory cortex location
superior surface of the temporal lobe, part of the superior temporal gyrus
Wernike’s area
posterior aspect of one temporal hemisphere (usually left)
language comprehension
A lot of the temporal lobes function
higher order visual processing
medial temporal lobe function
learning and memory
“technically part of the limbic lobe, but referred to as the medial temporal structures
occipital lobe, lateral surface landmarks
variable configuration, termed lateral occipital gyri
occipital lobe, medial surface landmarks
cuneus and lingual gyrus
occipital lobe functions
exclusively visual function
primary visual cortex is in the banks of the calcarine sulcus
rest of the lobe consists of visual association cortex involved in higher order visual processing
Limbic lobe surface landmarks
mostly cingulate and parahippocampal gyri
Limbic system function
important in emotional responses, drive-related behaviors and memory
Insula
- not included in the 5 lobes
- buried deep in the lateral sulcus
- covered by frontal, parietal and temporal opercula
- overlies site where telencephalon and diencephalon fuse during development
Diencephalon Divisions
Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Epithalamus and Subthalamus
Thalamus
- ovid gray matter
- massa intermedia of intrathalamic adhesion, area of thalamic fusion across midline, not functional (not seen on all brains)
- borders the third ventricle, line of ventricular attachment marked by stria medullaris
Thalamus Function
- significant and central importance to CNS functions
- NO sensory information EXCEPT olfactory reaches the cortex without hitting the thalamus first
- involved in motor system neural circuits, which are loops that involve the cerebellum and basal ganglion
- Limbic system projections to cortex also stop in the thalamus first
Hypothalamus
- separated from the thalamus from the hypothalamic sulcus
- inferior surface visible on the base of the brain (as mammillary bodies)
- infundibular stalk connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary
- major visceral control center
- limbic functions
- key autonomic ganglion
Brainstem subdivisions
midbrain, pons and medulla
Brainstem function
- convey information to and from the cerebrum
- cranial nerves
Cranial nerve I
olfactory nerve
consists of a bundle of axons that terminate in the olfactory bulb at the anterior end of the olfactory tract
Cranial nerve II
optic nerve
join to form optic chiasm where half of the fibers cross the midline giving rise to the optic tract
the optic tract ends in the thalamus
embryogically part of the diencephalon so part of the CNS
CN III
occulomotor nerve
emerges from the interpeduncular fossa in rostral midbrain
CN IV
trochlear nerve
Found in caudal midbrain. The nerve leaves the dorsal aspect of the brainstem (the only one that does this) just below the inferior colliculus Innervates the superior oblique muscle.
CN V
trigeminal n.
Enters at midpontine level thru middle cerebellar peduncle.
CN VI
abducens n.
Exits brainstem at the pontomedullary junction near midline, near edge of pyramid as it emerges from the pons.
CN VII
facial n.
Exists lateral the abducens at the pontomedullary junction. Has two parts: motor root that is larger and more medial than the sensory root. Sometime the sensory root is known as the intermediate nerve.
CN VIII
vestibulocochlear n.
Exists lateral the facial nerve at the pontomedullary junction. Has two parts: a medially situated vestibular division and a more laterally situated cochlear division.
CN that emerge off the medulla
CN IX (glossopharyngeal) CN X (vagus) -emerges from postolivary sulcus CN XI (Accessory) -from the upper cervical spinal cord, ascends into the skull and reverses back and goes into the neck CN XII (hypoglossal) -emerges from anterolateral sulcus
Basal Ganglia
involved in movement control
separated from the thalamus by the internal capsule
caudate, putamen and globus pallidus are the major components
internal capsule
a fiber bundle interconnecting cortex and deep structures
Dorsal striatum
caudate and putamen
lenticular nucleus
putamen and globus pallidus
Where can you find the amygdala?
beneath the uncus in the temporal lobe
Ventricles
- cavity of embryologic neural tube, filled with CSF made in the choroid plexus
- suspends brain, regulates extracellular fluid composition and route by which certain chemical messengers are distributed in the CNS
What are the 4 ventricles and their path
CSF is produced mainly by a structure called the choroid plexus in the lateral, third and fourth ventricles. CSF flows from the lateral ventricle to the third ventricle through the interventricular foramen (also called the foramen of Monro). The third ventricle and fourth ventricle are connected to each other by the cerebral aqueduct (also called the Aqueduct of Sylvius). CSF then flows into the subarachnoid space through the foramina of Luschka (there are two of these) and the foramen of Magendie (only one of these).
subarachnoid cisterns
- areas within the subarachnoid space where the pia mater and arachnoid membrane are not in close approximation. The subarachnoid tissue is not as abundant here as in the normal subarachnoid space and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gathers to form pools or cisterns
- arachnoid attached to the inner dural layer
Largest subarachnoid cistern?
Cisterna Magna
cerebellomedullary cistern
Reabsoprtion of CSF
Absorption of the CSF into the blood stream takes place in the superior sagittal sinus through structures called arachnoid villi . When the CSF pressure is greater than the venous pressure, CSF will flow into the blood stream. However, the arachnoid villi act as “one way valves”…if the CSF pressure is less than the venous pressure, the arachnoid villi will NOT let blood pass into the ventricular system
Herniations
Dural reflections are rigid and firmly attached to the skull
when blood pressure starts occupying the space that the brain once had, intracranial pressure increases and results in a subdural hematoma
Functions of the CNS coverings
(for the skull and vertebral column)
- the brain and cord are suspended by membranous coverings called meninges
- they allow the brain to turn with the head
- CSF in the meninges (and ventricles) allow for buoyancy and support of the brain
Three meningeal layers
- Dura mater (outermost, toughest)
- Arachnoid mater
- Pia mater (outermost, attached to the CNS)
What “meningeal layer” contains the CSF?
subarachnoid space btwn the arachnoid and pia mater
leptomeninges
the innermost layers that surround the CNS
arachnoid and pia mater
Two Dural Layers
periosteum (near the skull) and meningeal (inner layer)
potential spaces that can develop
epidural - between dura and calvaria
subdural - in the innermost dural layer, near dura-arachnoid interface
Actual spaces
epidural hematoma - tear of the meningeal arteries btwn the skull and dura
subdural hematoma - tearing of the bridging veins in the subdural space
Dural reflection/dural septum
when dural fold on itself and forms intracranial compartments
the inner meningeal layer forms two main reflections - falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli
Tentorium cerebelli
- supratentorial compartment contains cerebrum
- infratentorial compartment contains the cerebellum and brainstem (posterior structures)
tentorial notch/incisure
space in the tentorium where the brainstem passes through
Dural Venous sinuses
at the edges of the fused dura (periosteal and meningeal) the 2 layers are not fused and allow for venous flow
these pathways are lined by endothelium
superior sagittal sinus location
along the edge of the falx
transverse sinus location
Left and right found along the posterior attachment of the tentorium
straight sinus location
along attachment of the falx and tentorium
Flow of the venous sinuses
the superior sagittal sinus, both transverse sinuses and straight sinus drains into the confluence of sinuses near the occipital protuberance, then the sigmoid sinuses into the jugular vein
inferior sagittal sinus
at the lower edge of the falx, empties into the straight sinus
occipital sinus
drains into the confluence
superior petrosal sinus
in the edge of the tentorium attached to the petrous temporal bone, carries blood from the cavernous sinus to the transverse sinus
inferior petrosal sinus
follows a groove between the temporal and occipital bones and carries blood from the cavernous sinus to the jugular vein
What two arteries supply the CNS?
vertebral and internal carotid arteries
Branches of the ICA?
the ICA ascends the neck and traverses the petrous temporal bone, and goes through the cavernous sinus
the opthalamic artery branches off of the IC in the subarachnoid space
-both the anterior choroidal and Posterior communicating artery branch off the IC
-the IC bifurcates into the Middle cerebral and anterior cerebral artery along the optic chiasm
Anterior choroidal artery
- long and thin
- clinical significance in strokes
- supplies optic tract, choroid plexus in lateral ventricles, deep structures (internal capsule, thalamus and hippocampus) sometimes cerebral peduncle
posterior communicating artery
- passes posterior to the optic tract to join the posterior cerebral artery
- since the PCA is part of the vertebral artery supply, the posterior communicating artery connects the supplies
anterior cerebral artery
- runs medially in the longitudinal fissure, arches posteriorly and follows the corpus callosum
- supplies the medial frontal and parietal lobes
- the two anterior cerebral arteries are connected by the anterior communicating artery
Middle Cerebral artery
runs laterally into the lateral sulcus, divides into many branches and supplies most of the lateral cerebral hemisphere
perforating arteries
- arise from all arteries at the base of the brain
- numerous around the optic chiasm, btwn the cerebral peduncles, and contain both ant. and post. parts
- involved in strokes and neurological deficits out of proportion to size
- supplies the basal ganglion, thalamus and internal capsule
perforating arteries from the Middle Cerebral artery are called?
Lenticulostriate arteries
Vertebral-Basilar system
- supplies brainstem and cerebellum
- vertebral a. run laterally along the medulla, fuse to the basilar a. at the pons
Prior to forming the basilar a., what does the vertebral a. give rise to?
- posterior spinal artery (supplies post. 1/3 spinal cord)
- anterior spinal artery (join together to make one a. to supply ant. 2/3 spinal cord)
- PICA (supplies inf. cerebellum and lateral medulla)
What does the Basilar a. give rise to?
- AICA (supplies ant.,inf. cerebellum (flocculus) and caudal pons)
- SCA (superior cerebellum, caudal midbrain and rostral pons)
- bifurcates at midbrain into 2 PCAS
posterior cerebral artery
- branches supply medial and inferior surfaces of the temporal and occipital lobes
- branches also go to rostral midbrain and posterior diencephalon
Circle of Willis
- connects the vertebral-basilar and IC a. systems via the posterior communicating artery
- the anterior communicating artery connects the Right and Left sides
- little blood flow through
- if major vessel in the circle or proximal to the circle is occluded, the communicating arteries will do anastomoses
Cerebral blood flow
autoregulation: vessels are stretch sensitive, so they constrict when decreased pressure and dilate when increased pressure
collaboration: of the brain and vessels with increased activity
autonomics: more important at extremes
WORKS TO MAKE UNIFORM BLOOD FLOW
Blood brain Barrier
-refers to the anatomic and physio barrier that controls movement of materials from the extracellular fluid of the body to the brain
how does the blood brain barrier work?
- the tight endothelial junctions in the arachnoid layer and lack of pinocytic vesicles organize this
- lipid soluble substances go through
- glucose crosses by facilitated diffusion (but not other molecules of similar solubility and size)
- other substances are active transport
Circumventricular organs
- areas with “leaky capillaries” that allow open communication with the brain and extracellular fluid
- located near the 3rd and 4th ventricle
- sensory function: monitor CSF composition (ependymal cells called tancytes that overly the ventricular surface)
- release hormones from neuronal endings into the blood
Venous drainage
through a system of cerebral veins that empty into dural sinuses to go to the IJV and basilar venous plexus that communicate with the epidural venous plexus of the spinal cord
-a lot of anastomoses
Where do a lot of superficial veins drain in the cerebrum?
superior sagittal sinus
where do a lot of deep internal veins drain in the cerebrum?
straight sinus
What is the principal component of the PNS?
spinal nerve
Where do visceral efferent cell bodies lie in the spinal nerve?
in the lateral horn
where do somatic efferent cell bodies lie in the spinal nerve?
in the anterior horn
where to somatic and visceral efferent cell bodies lie in the spinal nerve?
in the posterior root ganglion
what is motor synonymous with?
efferent
what is sensory synonymous with?
afferent
What are the 3 layers around peripheral nerves?
Epineurium, perineurium and endoneurium
Epineurium
-continuous with the dura mater from the CNS
-most prominent around the trunks of nerves
-provides tensile strength
(outermost)
Perineurium
- continuous with the arachnoid mater from the CNS
- wraps around fascicles (bundle of axons)
- blood-nerve barrier
Endoneurium
surrounds each individual nerve fiber
Where are the blood vessels in peripheral nerves?
btwn the epineurium and and perineurium
what is saltatory conduction?
“jumping from myelin sheath to myelin sheath”
- membrane depolarizes at nodes
- conduction proceeds in either direction
Where is the CNS-PNS junction for glial cells
- highly variable in spinal and cranial nerves
- near foramen
- on vestibular cochlear n. tumors will form at the junction
What does the caliber of the axon relate to?
the amplitude of the action potential
what does the myelin and amount relate to?
action potential conduction velocity
Fibers in the PNS that are heavily myelinated and have a large axon
- lower motor neurons that move the skeletal mm. (alpha)
- type 1a (muscle spindle endings), 1b (golgi tendons) and lower motor neurons
Fibers in the PNS that are unmyelinated and small axon
- postganglionic autonomic
- slow pain, heat, itch and touch
- type C
what is an adequate stimulus?
each receptor has a stimulus that is is most receptive to and will convey to the CNS about
-not always perfect b/c pressure on the eye will lead to depolarization of photoreceptors
chemoreceptor
taste, smell, pH and metabolite concentrations
photoreceptor
retinal visual receptors
thermoreceptor
temperature
mechanoreceptor
most diverse
physical deformation, touch, mm. length and tension, auditory and vestibular receptors
Nociceptors
pain
All receptors have..
- receptive area (may be specialized)
- synaptic area where message is sent to the CNS
- all of them turn an physical stimulus into an electrical signal that the nervous system can understand (receptor potential)
receptor potential
- can encode the intensity and duration of a stimulus
- some receptor systems are more sensitive than others, so this is reflected by identification of the system (CNS can choose to ignore stimulus)
receptive field
- conveys information about location of the receptor
- the “wiring” pattern in ascending sensory pathways to cortex preserve location and nature of the information
- receptive field much smaller on the pinky than in part of the forearm, also a more sensitive area may have more receptors