Neuroanatomy: Gross Anatomy Flashcards
Divisions of the central nervous system (CNS)
Brain, Brain stem, Cerebellum, and Spinal Cord
Nucleus
A group of neurons within the CNS with similar function, connectivity, and neurotransmitters
Tract
A bundle of axons traveling together within the CNS
Synapse
A point of connection/communication between neurons
Afferent
Arriving information
Efferent
Exiting information
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Cranial and Peripheral Nerves
Nerve
A bundle of axons (plus associated connective tissue and blood vessels) located outside the brain and spinal cord
Ganglia
A group of neurons outside of the CNS with similar function, connectivity, and neurotransmitters
Somatic Nervous System
Afferent and efferent systems that regulate motor innervation of skeletal muscle and sensory information from the external environment (aware sensations)
Autonomic Nervous System
Afferent and efferent systems that regulate motor innervation of smooth muscle and glands and sensory information from the internal environment (unaware sensations)
Gray matter
neuronal cell bodies and proximal dendrites
White Matter
myelinated axons (rich in lipids and fiber tracts)
Frontal Lobe function
Executive functions, personality, decision making
Parietal Lobe Function
Primary sensory cortex, association cortex
Temporal Lobe Function
Primary auditory cortex
Occipital Lope Function
Primary visual cortex
Insula Lobe Function
Island lobe that is buried in brain. Functions include Pain, especially visceral (hollow organs)
Limbic Lobe Function
(surrounds the corpus callosum) Emotion, arousal, motivation, memory
Sulci
the grooves of the brain
Gyri
The bumps of the brain
Central Sulcus
Separates Pre and post-central gyri. Separates frontal and parietal lobes
Lateral Fissure
separates frontal and temporal lobes
Superior longitudinal sulcus (longitudinal fissure)
Separates Right and left hemispheres
Paracentral lobule
A bump on the top (dorsal) part of the brain in parietal lobe
Parietooccipital sulcus
Separates parietal and occipital lobe (more visible in medial view)
Corpus Callosum
connects all neurons from one hemisphere to the other
Diencephalon
Gray matter, deep, autonomic system; includes thalamus and hypothalamus
