Parts Of The Brain

Question 1

What are the three main hindbrain structures?

Answer 1

• Cerebellum
• medulla oblongata
• pons

Question 2

What is the hindbrain responsible for?

Answer 2

Supporting vital bodily processes and autonomic functions, aswell as movement, coordination and processing sensory information.

Question 3

What is the role of the cerebellum?

Answer 3

Coordinating and regulating movements, balance and posture. Aswell as speech and vision, learning and memory.

Question 4

What is the role of the medulla oblongata?

Answer 4

Controls several autonomic functions:
-regulating heart rate
-blood pressure
-breathing/perspiration
-swallowing
-reflexes such as sneezing coughing and vommiting
- relays sensory information between the brain and spinal cord

Question 5

What is the role of the pons?

Answer 5

Involvement in sleep, dreaming and arousal from sleep and control of breathing, facial sensation/movement and hearing.

Question 6

What are the main structures of the midbrain?

Answer 6

-substantia nigra
-reticular formation

Question 7

What is the role of the midbrian?

Answer 7

Plays a crucial role in functions such as:
- regulation of sensory processes
-motor control
- connects upper and lower brain
- modulation of arousal, attention and mood
- processing of visual and auditory information and eye movement.

Question 8

What is the role of the substantia nigra?

Answer 8

• regulation of movement
• largest collection of dopamine-producing neurons
• critical for coordination and movements

Question 9

What are the two main regions of the substantia nigra?

Answer 9

Pars compacta
Pars reticulata

Question 10

What is the role of the pars compacta ?

Answer 10

Responsible for producing dopamine, essential for the basal ganglia which are involved in the control of movement

Question 11

What is the role of the pars reticulata?

Answer 11

Involved in the regulation of the basal ganglia output and essential in the proper execution of voluntary movements.

Question 12

What does dysfunction in the substantia nigra result in?

Answer 12

Leads to movement disorders such as parkinsons, because of a loss of dopamine producing neurons

Question 13

What is the role of the reticular formation?

Answer 13

Helps screen incoming information, maintains conciousness, regulates arousal and muscle tone

Question 14

What is the reticular formation?

Answer 14

Complex network of nerve fibres and nuclei located in the brainstem, extending from the medulla to the midbrain

Question 15

What is the RAS?

Answer 15

The RAS or the reticular activating system is a specialised system within the reticular formation, constisting of ascending and descending pathways which range into areas of the brain and spinal cord

Question 16

What is the role of the RAS?

Answer 16

Attention, arousal, control of muscles and ability to focus. Additionally filters out unecessary information ( the reason why you dont hear outside noise unless specifically listening)

Question 17

What are the important structures of the forebrain?

Answer 17

• thalamus
• hypothalamus
• cerebrum

Question 18

What is the role of the forebrain?

Answer 18

Thinking, learning and memory, perception, coordinating brain activity, voluntary motor activities.

Question 19

What are the two cerebral hemispheres connected by?

Answer 19

A white mass known as the corpus callosum.

Question 20

What is the role of the thalamus?

Answer 20

Relays sensory and motor information to the cerebral cortex. Arousal and attention.

Question 21

What is the role of the hypothalamus?

Answer 21

The hypothalamus is alerted to released hormones into the body to balance/maintaining homeostasis. Also plays a role im emotions and the formation of long term memories.