Neurvous System VIII Flashcards
Where and what is reticular formation?
Extends throughout brainstem
- small clusters of nuclei interspersed among tracts (ascending + descending)
Roles of reticular formation?
- consciousness, arousal, attention and alertness
- inactivated during sleep, damage can induce coma
- projects/filters sensory info to cortex
- minor: regulated muscle tone, assists in HR, BP, Resp rate.
What is cerebellum?
Second largest brain structure
Two cerebellar hemispheres
1/2 neurons in brain
Role of cerebellum?
- processes sensory info related to movement
- coordinated execution of movement (no errors and smooth)
- regulate posture and balance (vestibular)
- sends feedback signals to motor areas of cerebral cortex, via connections to thalamus and pons (aids in the proper movement)
Where is the diencephalon?
- between brain stem and cerebrum
What are two primary neural structures of the diencephalon?
Thalamus and hypothalamus
What are the two endocrine hormone secreting structures of diencephalon?
Pineal gland and pituitary gland (anterior and posterior)
What is main role of the thalamus?
Relay center
- receives sensory info from optic tract, ears, spinal cord and motor info from cerebellum and projects info to cerebrum for processing
What is role of pineal gland?
Cyclically releases melatonin involved in circadian rhythm and sleep/wake
What is main role of hypothalamus
Center for homeostasis
- influences autonomic and endocrine function
Homeostasis functions of hypothalamus?
- Maintain blood glucose concentrations
- Body temperature
- Controls body osmolarity
- Controls reproductive functioning
- Control food intake (full or hungry)
What is the pituitary?
Main hormonal output of hypothalamus
What is posterior and anterior pituitary made up of?
Posterior= neural tissue (extension of brain tissue)
Anterior= endocrine tissue (epithelial cells)
What is role of posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis)?
Extension of brain that secretes neurohormones made in hypothalamus
What is main role of anterior pituitary?
Complicated neuronal network involved in hormone secretion
- control growth, metabolism, and reproduction
What is the cerebrum?
Largest and most distinctive part of brain
- area of high processing, “seat of intelligence”
What does gray matter of cerebrum include
Cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system (unmyelinated
What is white matter of cerebrum?
Tracts
Ascending: sensory
Descending: motor tracts connecting regions of cerebrum to pass info
What are 2 hemispheres of cerebrum divided into?
4 lobes, frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital