Neuroanatomy_1 Flashcards
Functions of the Frontal Lobe
Responsible for higher cognitive functions, planning, decision-making, and regulating social behavior.
Functions of the Parietal Lobe
Processes somatic sensory information, including touch, temperature, and pain.
Functions of the Temporal Lobe
Involved in auditory processing, memory, and integrating sensory input with emotional valence.
Functions of the Occipital Lobe
Primary visual processing center of the brain.
Functions of the Cerebellum
Coordinates voluntary movements, posture, balance, and speech.
Role of the Corpus Callosum
Connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres and facilitates interhemispheric communication.
Functions of the Brainstem
Controls basic life functions such as heart rate, breathing, sleeping, and eating.
Components of the Limbic System
Includes the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus, involved in emotions, memory, and arousal.
Function of the Thalamus
Relay motor and sensory signals to the cerebral cortex.
Function of the Hypothalamus
Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and circadian rhythms.
Function of the Amygdala
Involved in emotion processing, especially fear and pleasure.
Role of the Hippocampus
Critical for the formation of new memories and associated with learning and emotions.
Functions of the Basal Ganglia
Regulates voluntary motor movements, procedural learning, and emotional expression.
Functions of the Midbrain
Involved in vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake, arousal, and temperature regulation.
Structure of the Cerebral Cortex
Composed of the neocortex and six distinct layers, involved in higher brain functions.
Sagittal Plane in Neuroanatomy
Divides the brain into right and left halves.
Coronal Plane in Neuroanatomy
Divides the brain into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
Axial Plane in Neuroanatomy
Divides the brain into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts.
Structure of a Synapse
The junction between two neurons, consisting of a presynaptic ending, synaptic cleft, and postsynaptic ending.
Role of Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.
Function of Glial Cells
Support neurons in the brain, provide insulation, nutrients, and help with signal transmission.
Function of the Myelin Sheath
Insulates nerve fibers to increase the speed at which information travels through the nervous system.
What is an Action Potential?
A rapid rise and subsequent fall in voltage or membrane potential across a cellular membrane.
Function of the Blood-Brain Barrier
Protects the brain from foreign substances in the blood that may injure the brain.