Neuroanatomy Primer Flashcards
Medulla
Controls vital reflexes
Pons
Mediates arousal and readiness of other parts
of the brain
Cerebellum
Regulates motor function, balance,
coordination
Substantia nigra
gives rise to the dopamine-
containing pathway facilitating readiness for
movement
Forebrain
Consists of the outer cerebral cortex and
What does the forebrain do?
receives sensory information
and controls motor movement from the
opposite side of body
What are the subcortical structures of the forebrain?
thalamus and basal ganglia
Thalamus
relay station from the sensory
organs and main source of input to the
cortex
Basal Ganglia
important for certain
aspects of movement
What is the limbic system?
it consists of a number of
other interlinked structures that form a border
around the brainstem
What is the function of the limbic system?
associated with motivation, emotion, drives
and aggression
Where is the hypothalamus located?
small area near the base of the brain
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
conveys messages to the pituitary gland to
alter the release of hormones
What is the function of the hippocampus?
critical for consolidating long-term memory
What does the cerebral cortex consist of?
consists of
the cellular layers on the outer surface of the
cerebral hemispheres
What is the cerebral cortex joined by?
joined by two bundles of axons called the
corpus callosum and the anterior
commissure
What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?
occipital, parietal, temporal, frontal
What is the occipital lobe responsible for?
is the primary
visual cortex
What is the parietal lobe responsible for?
primary somatosensory
cortex which is the primary target for touch
sensations
What is the temporal lobe responsible for?
Target for auditory information
What does the frontal lobe contain?
Contains prefrontal cortex and
precentral gyrus
What is the precentral gyrus responsible for?
responsible
for the control of fine motor movement
What is the prefrontal cortex responsible for?
responsible for higher functions such as
abstract thinking
What is the central canal?
fluid-filled channel in
the center of the spinal cord
What are ventricles?
four fluid-filled cavities
within the brain containing cerebrospinal fluid
What does cerebrospinal fluid do?
provides cushioning for the brain
What are meninges?
membranes that surround the
brain and spinal cord
What is a CAT scan?
produce detailed images of brain with computer processing and x-rays
What is an MRI scan?
Produces high resolution of brain images and connections
What is the function of EEG?
PET
rCBF
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Gene-knockout approach
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
