Structural and Functional Neuroanatomy Flashcards
What is a Neuron?
The basic signaling unit that transmits information throughout the nervous system that (1) takes in information (2)makes a “decision” about it following some relatively simple rules (3)passes information on (4)varies in form, location and interconnectivity
Soma
Cell body of a neuron
Dendrites
Branching extensions of the neuron that receive inputs from other neurons
Axon
a single process that extends from the cell body wrapped in myelin
Axon Collaterals
when axons branch so they can transmit signals to more than one cell
Synaptic Cleft
gap between neurons at the synapse
Glial Cells
Non-neural cells that (1) provide structural support (2) electrical insulation (3) modulate neuronal activity Types: Astrocytes, microglial cells, oligodendrocytes, schwann cells
Central Nervous System
command and control center (1) brain (2) spinal cord
Nervous System
(1) central nervous system (2) peripheral nervous system
Peripheral Nervous System
courier network (1)autonomic nervous system
Autonomic Nervous System
controls involuntary action of smooth muscles, the heart, and various glands (1) sympathetic nervous system (2) parasympathetic nervous system
Sympathetic Nervous System
fight or flight uses norepinephrine
Parasympathetic Nervous System
rest and digest uses acetylcholine
Grey Matter
neuronal cell bodies
White Matter
axons and glial cells
The Spinal Cord
Takes in sensory information from the body’s peripheral sensory receptors, relays it to the brain, and conducts the final motor signals from the brain to muscles
Rostral
“nose”
Caudal
“tail”
Ventral
“belly”
Dorsal
“back”
Sagittal
divided into right and left halves
Midsagittal
divided in equal right and left halves (down the middle)
Coronal
divided into front and back halves
Axial (transverse)
divided into top and bottom halves
Lateral vs medial , superior vs inferior
Lamina
Row or layer of cell bodies separated from other cell bodies by a layer of axons and dendrites
Ipsilateral
on the same side
Neuroaxis
Refers to the axis of the nervous system and references the direct of embryon development.
Nucelus
cluster of neuronal cell bodies within the CNS
Nerve
bundle of axons in the periphery, outside of CNS
Column
set of cells perpendicular to the surface of the cortex with similar properties
Tract
(projections)
set of axons within the CNS, usually referring from origin of cell bodes to where neuron synapses onto post-synaptic cell
Tailirach Coordinates
x = Right (+) or left (+)
y = Anterior (+), posterior(-)
z = Superior (+) , inferior (-)
Ways to divide the brain
Talairach Coordinates (x,y,z) Brodmann Areas
Subcortical Region
(1)the brainstem (hindbrain and midbrain) (2)the diencephalon (3)the telencephalon
The Brainstem
Both hindbrain and midbrain
The Hindbrain
(1) the medulla (myelencephalon) (2) the pons and cerebellum (metencephalon)
The Medulla
Most caudal portion It controls (1) respiration (2) heart rate (3) arousal All ascending somatosensory info passes through it (motor axons) Known as the relay station for sensory and motor info between the body and the brain
Pons
Main connection between the brain and the cerebellum
Anterior to medulla
Important for (1) some eye, face and mouth movements
(2) some auditory information is channeled through it structure
(3) contains a large portion of the reticular formation that modulates arousal
(4) generates rapid eye movement (REM sleep)
Cerebellum
Clings to brainstem at level of the pons
Home to most of the brains neurons
Important for (1) maintaining posture (2) walking (3)modifies motor outflow for smooth coordinated movements (4) implicated in aspects of cognitive processing including language, attention, learning and mental imagery
The Midbrain
superior to the pons and surround the cerebral aqueducts
(1) Tectum
(2) Tegmentum
(3) Superior Colliculus
(4) Inferior Colliculus
(5) red nucleus
Diencephalon
(1) Thalamus
(2) Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Part of the diencephalon
Almost center of brain/top of brainstem
“gateway to cortex” - except for some olfactory inputs all of the sensory modalities make synaptic realys in the thalamus before continuing to the primary cortical sensory receiving areas
Involved in (1) relaying primary sensory information
(2) receives inputs form the basal gangli, cerebellum, neocortex and medial temporal lobe
Divided into nuclei (1) lateral geniculate nucleus
(2) medial geniculate nucleus
Tectum
“roof”
dorsal portion of the midbrain
Tegmentum
“covering:
ventral portion of the midbrain
Superior Colliculus
Part of the midbrain
Plays a role in perceiving objects in the periphery and orienting our gaze directly toward them, bringing them into sharper view
Inferior Colliculus
Part of the midbrain
Plays a role in locating and orienting toward auditory stimuli
Lateral Geniculate Nucleus
Receives info from the ganglion cells of the retina and sends axons to the primary visual cortex
Medial Geniculate Nucleus
Nuclei of the Thalamus
Receives information from the inner ear and sends axons to the primary auditory cortex
Hypothalamus
Part of the Diencephalon
Main link between nervous system and endocrine system
Involved in (1) receiving input from the limbic system structures and other brain areas (2) controls circadian rhythms (3) maintains homeostasis (4) drives behavior to alleviate feelings such as thurst, hunger and fatigue (5) controls body temp
It accomplished most of this work via pituitary gland (base of hypothalamus)
Telencephalon
Contains the (1) Limbic system and (2) basil ganglia
Limbic System
Part of the Telencephalon
system for emotional behavior
Made of (1) cingulate gyrus (2) hypothalamus (3) hippocampus and (4) amygdala
Forebrain
Diencephalon and Telencephalon
Hippocampus
memory
Amygdala
A group of neurons anterior to the hippocampus
emotion regulation
part of the limbic system
Cingulate Gyrus
A band of cerebral cortex that extends above the corpus callosum in the anterior-posterior direction and spans both the frontal and parietal lobes
Basil Ganglia
A collection of nuclei bilaterally located beneath the anterior portion of the lateral ventricles near the thalamus.
Plays a role in reward based leaning and goal-oriented behavior
Part of the telencephalon
Nuceli of Basil Ganglia
Striatum
receives extensive feedback projections from the thalamus
- caudate nucleus
- putamen
Ganglion
Cluster of neuronal cell bodies outside of the CNS
Cortical Region
Sucli
crevices
Precentral sulcus, central sulcus, postcentral sulcus, interparietal suclus etc
Gyri
Crowns of the folded tissue that one observes when viewing the surface
Lateral occipital gyrus, postcentral gyrus, precentral gyrus and more
Fissure
Deep sucli
Sylvian (lateral) fissure - seperates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes
Anatomical Divisions of Cortex
(1)Frontal lobe (2) parietal lobe (3) temporal lobe (4) occipital lobe
Frontal Lobe
Contains (1) olfactory bulb (2) orbitofrontal cortex (3) primary motor cotrex/precentral gyrus (4) broca’s area
Longitudingal Fissure
also known as interhemispheric fissure
Transverse Fissure
Olfactory Bulb
in frontal lobe
responsible for the sensation of smell (CN1)
Orbitofrontal Cortex
in Frontal lobe
decision-making; regard learning; monitoring
sight of frontal lobotomies
Primary Motor Cortex/precentral gyrus
helps plan and execute motor
Broca’s Area
Controls facial neurons, speech, and language production.
Located on left frontal lobe.
Phineas Gage
Damage to frontal lobe
reported changes in behavior and effects on personality
Parietal Lobe
Responsible for (1) spatial awareness (2) perception (3) proprioception (4) sensation and (5) integration of senses
Contains: Primary Somatosensory cortex, Somatosensory Association cortex and Primary Gustatory cortex
Primary Somatosensory Cortex
receives information about touch, pain, temperature sense, and limb proprioception
(postcentral gyrus, parietal lobe)
Somatosensory Association Cortex
Assists with the integration and interpretation of sensations relative to body position and orientation in space. May also assist with visuo-motor coordination
(parietal lobe)
Primary Gustatory Cortex
(parietal lobe)
Primary site involved with the interpretation of the snesation of taste
Temporal lobe
Important for (1) hearing (2) language (organization and comprehension) (3) memory (encoding and retrieval)
Contains: Primary auditory cortex, primary olfactory cortex, annd wernike’s area
Primary Auditory Cortex
hearing
Primary Olfactory Cortex
interprets sense of smell once it reaches the cortex via olfactory bulbs
(parietal lobe)
Wernike’s Area
Language comprehension
Wernike’s Aphasia
Language comprehension is inhibited. Words and sentences are not clearly understood and sentence formation may be inhibited or nonsensical
Occipital Lobe
Contains Primary visual cortex and visual association area
Primary Visual Cortex
V1/ striate cortex
Receives visual information relayed from the laterl geniculate nucleus of the thalamus
Visual Association Area
Interprets information acquired through the primary visual cortex (occipital lobe)
Topographical Mapping
Spatial relationships of the body have been mapped out
Sylvian Fissure
Left hemisphere
Right hemisphere
visiospatial tasks
linked to one aspect of speech perception (prosody - the connotative aspect of oral language and the way we vary articulation to convey affect or interaction)
efficient detection of upright faces
Corpus Callosum
main connection between right and left hemispheres of the brain.
Corpus callostomy - split brain sugery (used to treat intractable epilepsy when other forms of treatment fail)
