Neurology and Behaviour Flashcards
What are the three main regions of the brain?
The forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain.
What are the three membranes the brain is surrounded by?
Meninges- dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater.
What is the function of the meninges?
Protection of the brain.
What occurs when the meninges are inflamed?
Meningitis.
What are the function of the four ventricles in the brain?
Filled with cerebro-spinal fluid, supply the neurones with oxygen and glucose.
What does the forebrain consist of?
Cerebrum, thalamus, hypothalamus and hippocampus.
What does the midbrain consist of?
Nerve fibres connected the fore and hindbrain.
What does the hindbrain consist of?
Medulla oblongata and cerebellum.
What is the function of the medulla oblongta?
It controls heart rate, ventilation and blood pressure. It contains centres of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
What is the function of the cerebellum?
It maintains posture and co-ordination of voluntary muscle activity.
What is the function of the cerebrum?
It controls voluntary behaviour, learning, reasoning, personality and memory.
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
It regulates body temperature, blood solute concentration, thirst, hunger and sleep. It is the main controlling region of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and links the brain to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland.
What is the function of the thalamus?
It is a relay centre sending information to and from the cortex.
What is the function of the hippocampus?
It interacts with areas of the cortex involved with learning, reasoning, personality and consolidating memories into a permanent store.
Describe the sympathetic division of the ANS
Stress response, excitatory effect, uses noradrenaline as a neurotransmitter.
Describe the parasympathetic division of the ANS
Peace response, inhibitory effect, uses acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter.
How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems work together?
They work antagonistically, as opposing signals from neurones in both systems work to adjust an organs activity to an appropriate level.
What does the limbic system consist of?
The hypothalamus, thalamus and hippocampus. This system is involved with emotion, learning and memory.
How are the two hemispheres of the cerebrum linked?
They are linked by the corpus callosum.
What is the cerebral cortex?
The outer layer of the cerebrum, it is highly folded to increase surface area for processing. It is composed of millions of neurones and is grey matter with many cell bodies. It is responsible for most conscious thoughts and actions.
What does the inner part of the cerebrum contain?
Myelinated white matter.
What are the subdivisions of each cerebral hemisphere?
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Temporal lobe
Occipital lobe
What does the frontal lobe control?
Reasoning, planning, part of speech and movement, emotions and problem solving,
What does the parietal lobe control?
Sensory functions and taste.
What does the temporal lobe control?
Language, learning and memory.
What does the occipital lobe control?
Vision.
What are the cerebral cortex subdivisions?
Somatosensory cortex
Somatomotor cortex
Association areas
What is the function of the somatosensory cortex?
It receives nerve impulses from receptors.
What is the function of the somatomotor cortex?
It sends nerve impulses to effectors.
What is the function of the association areas?
They form most of the cerebral cortex. They receive impulses from sensory areas and associate it with previously stored information from memory so that is can be interpreted and given meaning to initiate appropriate responses.
Why does each hemisphere control the opposite side of the body?
As nerve fibres from the motor area cross in the medulla oblongata, so the left hemisphere controls the right side of t he body and vice versa.
Where is Broca’s area located?
In the frontal lobe, just above the temporal lobe in the left hemisphere.
What is the function of Broca’s area?
Motor neurones from here innervate the muscles involved with speech (larynx, mouth and intercostals).
What occurs if Broca’s area is damaged?
Speech can be understood but speaking is in short sentences, lacking fluency.
Where is Wernicke’s area located?
It spans the upper part of the temporal lobe and the lower part of the parietal lobe in the left hemisphere.
What is the function of Wernicke’s area?
It is responsible for interpreting written and spoken language.
What occurs if Wernicke’s area is damaged?
Speech cannot be understood but fluency is unaffected.
How are Broca’s and Wernicke’s area connected?
By a bundle of nerve fibres called arcuate fascilus.
What are the sensory and motor homunculi?
They are models showing the relative proportions of the sensory and motor areas of the body.
What areas contain many sensory neurones, as indicated by the sensory homunculi?
Tongue, lips and fingertips. These are the most sensitive areas.
What areas contain many motor neurones, as indicated by the motor homunculi?
Hands and face. These areas can perform intricate movements.
What are the different types of brain imaging methods?
Electroencephalography (EEG)
Computerised tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Position emission tomography (PET)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of EEG and how is the image produced?
Image made by: Electrodes on scalp, records electrical activity
Advantages: Non invasive, no claustrophobia or staying still, no radioactivity or magnetic fields
Disadvantages: Only detects activity in the cortex
What are the advantages and disadvantages of CT and how is the image produced?
Image made by: X-rays from different angles
Advantages: Fast results for the whole body, can look at areas from different angles
Disadvantages: Uses x-rays, images not as clear as MRI, only shows structural features
What are the advantages and disadvantages of MRI and how is the image produced?
Image made by: Strong magnetic fields
Advantages: More sensitive than CT, good contrast, no radiation
Disadvantages: Claustrophobic, noisy, patient lies completely still, magnetic fields involved so not for people with cochlear implants or pace makers
What are the advantages and disadvantages of fMRI and how is the image produced?
Image made by: Strong magnetic fields, radio waves to measure oxygen demand
Advantages: Shows regions of the brain which are most active and therefore functioning
Disadvantages: Claustrophobic, noisy, patient lies completely still, magnetic fields involved so not for people with cochlear implants or pace makers
What are the advantages and disadvantages of PET and how is the image produced?
Image made by: Radioactive glucose use
Advantages: Shows functioning areas of the brain
Disadvantages: Uses gamma radiation
What is neuroplasticity?
The brains ability to form new connections between neurones in response to new information, sensory stimulation, development or damage. Allowing the brain to change and adapt through life.
What is developmental plasticity?
Young brains rapidly form branches and connections between neurones. During this critical period, sensory input is required for proper development.
What is synaptic pruning?
Losing unused connections as the brain develops. This happens mostly in adolescence.
