Quiz8 - CNS: Brain cont. Flashcards
basal nuclei (basal ganglion)
paired masses of cell bodies located deep inside cerebrum
functions of basal nuclei
- subconscious control and integration of SKM tone
- coordinate learned movement patterns
- process, integrate and relay information from cortex to thalamus
cuadate nucleus & putamen
coordination of arm and leg movements that occur during walking
globus pallidus
adjusts muscle tone in preparation for voluntary movement
amygdaloid body
integration center between limbic system, cerebrum and sensory systems; anger, danger and fear responses
limbic system
important in emotions and memory
parts of limbic system
- fornix
- cingulate gyrus
- mamillary bodies
- hippocampus
fornix
tract connecting hippocampus to hypothalamus
cingulate gyrus
allows shifting between thoughts and express emotions through gestures
mamillary bodies
contain motor nuclei that control reflex movements associated with eating (ex: licking, chewing, swallowing)
hippocampus
important in learning and storage of long-term memory
parts of diencephalon
epithalamus
thalamus
hypothalamus
epithalamus
posterior portion contains pineal gland which produces melatonin (affects sleep cycle)
thalamus
- masses of nuclei
- relay center or “gateway” through which sensory information passes to cerebrum
- transfers information to correct part of cortex for localization and interpretation
hypothalamus
important autonomic nervous system center (important for homeostasis)
functions of hypothalamus
- subconscious control of skeletal muscles
- control of autonomic function (ex: blood pressure & rate)
- coordination between voluntary and autonomic functions
- production of emotions and behavior drives (ex: hunger & thirst)
- regulation of body temperature
- control of circadian rhythm - sleep/wake cycle
- secretion of hormone from pituitary gland
parts of brainstem
midbrain, pons, medulla
- attaches to spinal cord
midbrain
mostly composed of tracts of nerve fibers
parts of midbrain
- superior & inferior colliculi (corpora quadrigemmina)
- red nucleus
- substantia nigra
superior & inferior colliculi (corpora quadrigemmina)
reflex centers for vision and hearing
red nucleus
has numerous blood vessels; integrates information from cerebrum and cerebellum and directs involuntary motor commands of the limbs
substantia nigra
involved in motor coordination; functionally linked to basal nuclei; produce dopamine (inhibitory neurotransmitters)
parkinsons disease
diseases involving degeneration of basal ganglia; neurons producing dopamine (in substantia nigra) are damaged
symptoms of parkinson disease
- constant tremor at rest
- limited initiation of movements
- rigidity
- slowness in complex voluntary movements
pons
connect higher brain centers and spinal cord
- relay information between motor cortex and cerebellum
- contain nuclei for involuntary control of respiration
medulla oblongata
merges into spinal cord; relay fiber tracts to appropriate brain regions; contains many nuclei of cranial nerves
what does the medulla oblongata control
- cardiovascular: force & rate of heart contraction
- respiratory: rate & depth of breathing
cerebellum
coordinates and fine-tunes ongoing movements of body parts and adjust postural muscles (maintain balance and equilibrium)
functions of cerebellum
- adjust the postural muscles of the body
- programming and fine-tuning voluntary and involuntary movements
cerebellar dysfunctions
ataxia and dysmetria
ataxia
unsteadiness or irregular patterns of movement
dysmetria
inability to anticipate and stop a movement precisely
