Regions On The Brain Continued Flashcards
Regions of brain
1) telencephalon
2) diencephalon
3) brain stem
4) limbic System
Language centers
Mostly found in left hemisphere. However prosody are found in right hemisphere
Prosody
Allow ability to understand the emotional context of spoken language
Diencephalon parts:
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Pineal gland
Thalamus description
Pair of oval masses of gray matter connected by intermediate mass
Thalamus function
Directs and processes all incoming sensory impulses except for smell to proper region
Also directs descending/motor impulses to spinal cord
Hypothalamus location
Region inferior to thalamus
Hypothalamus function
Regulates autonomic nervous system “effectors” or the smooth, cardiac muscle, and gland tissue
Hypothalamus controls:
Body temperature
Influences hunger/thirst
Links ANS to pleasure centers
Releases hormones that affect other glands to release hormones
Pineal gland description
Small neuroendocrine gland
Pineal gland function
Responds to neuron stimulation by releasing hormones that control cyclical behavior
Cyclical behavior examples:
In humans, releases melatonin to aid in sleep patterns
Brain stem location
Inferior part of brain
Regions of brain stem
1) midbrain
2) pons
3) medulla
4) cerebellum
Midbrain location
Inferior to hypothalamus
Midbrain function
Serves as a connection between brain stem and rest of brain
Midbrain nuclei
Controls wakefulness and alertness
Pond location
Oval region on anterior side of brain stem
Barely inferior to midbrain
Pons function
Serves as a bridge/connection between various brain areas
Medulla description and location
About 1 inch long continuation of spinal cord
Inferior to pons
Medulla function
Connects major components to ascending and descending tracts
Tracts cross from one side of body to the opposite in the brain
Occurs in medulla
Known as decussation of tracts
Medulla nuclei
Some keep consciousness
Maintain muscle tone
Control breathing rates and depth
Maintains heart rate (and blood pressure)
Cerebellum
2nd largest part of brain in inferior/posterior part of skull
Controls skeletal muscle contractions by making them appropriate
Cerebellum components
Made of gray matter
And white matter known as arbor vitae
Limbic System
Group of structures scattered throughout the brain
Like the cingulate gyrus
Limbic System function
Receive sensations and links them to memories of past experiences
Generates emotions
Routes sense of smell
