Neuroanatomy I: The Cerebral Cortex: Gross and Functional Anatomy Flashcards

1
Q

Three embryological regions of the brain

A

Forebrain [Cerebrum | Diencephalon]

Midbrain

Hindbrain [Pons | Medulla oblongata | Cerebellum]

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2
Q

Cerebrum (cerebral hemispheres)

A
  • Largest area of brain
  • Divided into two cerebral hemispheres
  • Separated by the longitudinal fissure
  • Connected by the corpus callosum
  • Conscious thought processes & intellectual function
  • Memory storage, processing & retrieval
  • Conscious & subconscious regulation of skeletal muscle contraction
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3
Q

Cortex

A
  • Surface layer
  • Gray matter

Increases surface area:

  • Thrown into folds - Gyri
  • Separated by fissures - Sulci
  • Subdivide surface into lobes
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4
Q

Lobes of the Cerebral Hemispheres

A
  • Frontal lobe
  • Parietal lobe
  • Temporal lobe
  • Occipital lobe
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5
Q

Lobes & Sulcus of the Cerebral Hemispheres

A
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6
Q

Precentral Gyrus

A

(anterior to central sulcus)

  • Primary motor area
  • Controls voluntary movement
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7
Q

Post-central gyrus

A

(posterior to central sulcus)

  • Primary sensory area
  • Receives & interprets sensations
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8
Q

Superior temporal gyrus

A
  • Primary auditory area
  • Reception and interpretation of sound
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9
Q

Motor speech (Broca’s) area

A
  • Located just above lateral sulcus, usually on the left side of the brain
  • Controls movements involved in speech
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10
Q

Wernicke’s area

A
  • Located in the posterior section of the superior temporal gyrus on the left side of the brain
  • Comprehension of speech
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11
Q

Calcarine sulcus & Primary visual area

A
  • Located on the posterior pole of the occipital lobe around the calcarine sulcus
  • Receives visual impressions
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12
Q

Cerebellum (cerebellar hemispheres)

A
  • Co-ordinates complex somatic motor patterns
  • Postural muscles-maintains balance
  • Refines learned movement patterns
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13
Q

The Brainstem

A

[Medulla oblongata | Pons | Midbrain]

  • Processing and relay centre for information passing to and from cerebrum & cerebellum
  • Contains reflex centres associated with respiratory & cardiovascular functions
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14
Q

Diencephalon

A
  • Region of the brain almost completely hidden from the surface
  • Consists of dorsal thalamus & ventral hypothalamus

Diagram (back of skull)

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15
Q

The diencephalon consists of the following structures:

A

Thalamus: Relay & processing centre

Hypothalamus: Involved in hormone production & emotional control

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16
Q

The brain is supplied by…

[Arterial Supply of the Brain]

A

Two internal carotid arteries

Two vertebral arteries (a branch of subclavian artery

Four arteries anastomose on the inferior surface of the brain & form the circle of Willis

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17
Q

Internal Carotid Arteries

A
  • Leaves neck by passing into cranial cavity through the carotid canal
  • Passes upwards & forwards in the cavernous venous sinus (without communicating with it)
  • Then leaves sinus, passes lateral to the optic chiasma
  • Terminates by dividing into anterior & middle cerebral arteries
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18
Q

Vertebral Arteries

A

Ascend in the neck through the foramina in the transverse processes of the upper six cervical vertebrae

Enters cranial cavity through foramen magnum

Join together from either side to form the basilar artery

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19
Q

Circle of Willis

A
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20
Q

Function of the Circle of Willis

A

Allows for collateral circulation of blood if one or part of the circle becomes blocked or narrowed

Avoids ischemia

The left middle & anterior cerebral arteries are filled via the contralateral anterior & posterior communicating branches

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21
Q

Autoregulation of Cerebral Blood flow

A

The ability of the brain to maintain relatively constant blood flow

Due to the need for a constant blood supply & water homeostasis

§ Reductions in cerebral blood flow stimulate release of vasoactive substances from the brain that cause arterial dilatation

§ Cerebral smooth muscle in arterioles constricts in response to elevated pressure

22
Q

Stroke

A

Interruption of blood supply to parts of the brain

Causes (two main):

Ischaemic - blood supply is blocked due to a blood clot (85% of all cases)

Haemorrhagic - where a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts

23
Q

Blood Supply in Brain Function

(Cerebral Vascular territories)

A
  • Anterior cerebral
  • Middle cerebral
  • Posterior cerebral
24
Q

Anterior Cerebral

A

Loss of blood supply effect primary motor cortex for lower limb & perineum of contralateral side

Can lead to incontinence (unintentional passing of urine) due to lack of control of pelvic floor muscles

25
Q

Middle Cerebral

A
  • Blockage will lead to loss of sensation & motor function of body except for lower limb & perineum
  • Also supplies Broca’s motor speech area & Wernickes sensory speech area
  • Loss of function can effect how someone speaks & the ability to understand speech
26
Q

Posterior Cerebral

A

• Supplies primary visual cortex

§ Blockage can lead to visual field defects

• Supplies the hippocampus

§ Blockage can lead to memory loss

27
Q

The Meninges

A

Three protective membranes

Dura mater

§ Tough, fibrous outermost covering

Arachnoid mater

§ Consists of arachnoid membrane & the arachnoid trabeculae which extends to the surface of the Pia Mater

Pia mater

§ Blood vessels run along the surface of the pia mater within subarachnoid space

28
Q

Cranial Dura Mater

A

Conventionally described as a double layer:

  • Endosteal (or periosteal) layer - (actually periosteum covering the skull)
  • Meningeal layer (Dura mater proper)

§ Covers the brain

§ Continuous through foramen magnum with the dura mater of the spinal cord

29
Q

Cranial Dura Mater – Meningeal Layer

A

Sends inward four septa that divide the cranial cavity into freely communicating spaces, lodging the subdivisions of the brain

Function of the septa:

• Restrict rotatory displacement of the brain

30
Q

Reflections of Dura Mater

A

Falx cerebri

Diaphragma sellae

Falx cerebelli

Tentorium cerebelli

Tentorial notch

31
Q

Venous Sinuses

A

- Situated between periosteal & meningeal layers of dura mater

Receive tributaries (a vein that empties into a larger vein) from the brain, skull bones, the orbit & the internal ear

32
Q

Extradural (between periostreal dura mater & the meningeal dura mater – dura mater proper)

[Intracranial Haemorrhages]

A

May result from trauma or cerebral vascular lesions (raises intracranial pressure)

33
Q

Subdural (between dura & arachnoid mater)

[Intracranial Haemorrhages]

A

Due to mainly head trauma (displacement to skull - realtively slow build up of intracranial pressure)

Tearing of veins as they enter superior sagittal sinus

Blood accumulates in potential space between dura & arachnoid mater

34
Q

Subarachnoid (between the arachnoid mater externally and pia mater internally)

[Intracranial Haemorrhages]

A
  • Leakage or rupture of circle of Willis
  • Severe headache | loss of consciousness

Diagnosed by withdrawing heavily blood-stained cerebrospinal fluid through a lumbar puncture

35
Q

Ventricular System & Central Canal

A

Ventricular System: CSF filled central passageway - (Passageway -> Ventricles)

  • Extends along spinal cord (Central Canal) & brain
  • Filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
  • Continuously circulated fluid which also surrounds the brain & spinal cord
  • Provides a protective cushion
  • Transports nutrients & waste
36
Q

Ventricular System of the Brain

A
37
Q

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A
  • Clear, colourless fluid formed by the choroid plexus (coloured red)
  • Circulates through the ventricular system
  • Enters the subarachnoid space through three foramina in the roof of the fourth ventricle
  • Circulates both upwards over the surface of the cerebral hemispheres & downwards over the spinal cord
  • Eventually enters bloodstream by passing through arachnoid villi into the dural venous sinuses, in particular the superior sagittal sinus
38
Q

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) function

A
  • Removes waste products of neuronal activity
  • Fluid cushion for protection
39
Q
A
40
Q

Hydrocephalus

A

Overproduction of CSF or blockage of the ventricular system leading to accumulation of CSF

§ In a neonatal skull the increase in pressure will force unfused cranial bones apart leading to cranial abnormalities as well as neurological complications

§ In a fused adult skull leads to a dangerous rise in intracranial pressure

41
Q

How can Hydrocephalus be treated?

A

A shunt that drains the CSF from the ventricular system into a body cavity where it can be reabsorbed

42
Q

Ventral Surface of the Brain

A
43
Q

Cranial Nerves

A
44
Q

Cranial Nerve Table

Way to Remember Cranial Nerves:

On Occasion Our Trusty Truck Acts Funny Very Good Vehicle Any How

A

Sensory | Motor | Both:

Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More

45
Q

Olfactory Nerve

A

Cribriform Plate with foramina

It supports the olfactory bulb, and is perforated by olfactory foramina for the passage of the olfactory nerves to the roof of the nasal cavity to convey smell to the brain

46
Q

Olfactory Nerve

A
47
Q

Optic Nerve

A

II - Optic - Sensory - Vision

48
Q

Optic Nerve

A
49
Q

Vagus Nerve

A

X - Vagus - Mixed - Taste | sensory to thoracic & abdominal viscera; Movement & secretion

The vagus nerve travels through the middle portion of the jugular foramen

50
Q

Vagus Nerve Features

A
  • Longest cranial nerve in the body
  • Innervates the skin of the external acoustic meatus & the internal surfaces of the laryngopharynx & larynx
  • Provides visceral sensation to the heart & abdominal viscera
  • Provides taste sensation to the epiglottis & root of the tongue
  • Provides motor innervation to the majority of the muscles of the pharynx, soft palate & larynx.
  • Parasympathetic innervation the smooth muscle of the trachea, bronchi and gastro-intestinal tract & regulates heart rhythm
51
Q

What is the longest cranial nerve in the body?

A

Vagus Nerve