STUDY GUIDE Flashcards
Width of a Neuron
0.1mm
Volume of the Human Brain
average 1300cm^3
Structure of Soma
contains a mitochondria (chief source of energy through the generation of ATP)
contains high concentration of stacked ribosomes called Nissal bodies
Structure of Dendrites
primary extends proximally from the Neuron’s cell body and can branch into several additional processes.
Dendrite spines
are dynamic and can be induced to growth with only one second of 400 hz stimulation
Structure of Axon
dependent on the cell body protein synthesis for maintaining it’s structural integrity
the larger the axon the faster the propogation of the action potential
diameter of Axon
range between 5 to 25 micorns
Components of the mengies
pia matter (closests to the CNS)
arachnoid
and the dura (outermost layer)
Corpus Callosum
thick bundle of nerve fibers that ensures both sides of the brain can communicate and send signals to each other
What are the Three major Blood Vessels
anterior cerebral artery
middle cerebral artery
posterior cerebral artery
Clinical symptoms associated with the Anterior cerebral artery
disinhibition and speech presentation, altered mental status, impaired judgements and primative reflexes
Clinical Symptoms associated with Middle cerebral artery
unilateral weakness and/or numbness, facial droop and speech deficits
Clinical Symptoms assoicated with the posterior cerebral artery
acute vision loss, confusion, limb weakness, memory loss and Nausea
Amygdala Function
attribution to experience, processing fearful and threatening stimuli
Function of the Hippocampus
learning and memory
Role of mesial temporal lobe (limbic) system in personality
crucial part of episodic and spatial memory, within the limbic system it is responsible for our behavioural and emotional responses
Vascular (stroke)
blood flow to the brain is interupted by a blood clot of when the blood vessel bursts
neoplasm (tumours)
an abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide more then they should or do not die when they should
electrical anomalies
things such as seizures that are suddenly uncontrolled electrical disturbances that can causes changes to behaviour, movement and feelings
Aphasia
loss of impairment of language or the ability to use symbols due to the brain
Wernicke’s aphasia
damage to the left posterior portion of the temporal lobes; symptoms include fluent output, expressive language, paraphasia, empty speech, problems with comprehensions and the patient is often unaware of these deficits
Broca’s aphasia
damage to the left posterior portion of the frontal lobe
symptoms; non fluency, agrammatical speech, naming sightly impaired, comprehension of most language preserved except for the function of words
Frontal cortex
contains the premotor cortex and the primary motor cortex
dorsolateral
areas 9 &6
responsible for motor planning, organization and regulation
plays an important role in the integration of the sensory and mnemonic info and regulation of the intellectual and action
involved in working memory
Oibtofrontal
areas 11 & 12
planning with emotional behaviour. Lesions evoke puerile, restless, impulsive, antisocial behaviour, sexual deviance, loss of self concern, decreased normal self awareness
what is the result of over stimulation in the orbitofrontal
obsessive compulsive tendencies
Medial
area 10
lesions produce sever apathy, aknesia and mutism
Associated clinical factors
schizophrenia
cortical dementia
soft damage is associated with juvenile delinquency
cortical dementia components
a. conversational speech is highly stereotype that is the area of the 1st behaviours to deteriorate
b. early onset senile dementia and depression are difficult to differentiate in about 30% of cases
Insula cortex
portion of the cerebral cortex folded deep within the later sulcus
it is responsible for sensory processing, decision-making and motor control
damage leads to apathy, loss of libido and inability to tell fresh food from rotten
Anterior cingulate cortex functions
empathy, impulse control, emotion and decision making
damage results in the patient struggling to associate certain actions with emotions
What are the 5 general brain divisions
myelencephalon metencephalon mesencephalon diencephalon telencephalon
myelencephalon structure and main nuclei
includes the open and closed medulla , sensory and motor nuclei, projection of sensory and motor nuclei, projection of sensory and motor pathways and some cranial nerve nuclei.
consists of the medualla oblongata
metencephalon structure and main nuclei
embryonic part of the hindbrain that differentiates into the pons and cerebellum it contains a portion of the 4th ventricle
mesencephalon structure and main nuclei
has two main parts: the tectum and the tegmentum
associated with the III and IV cranial nerve
other segments also include substania nigra, cranial nerves and cerebral penducle and cros cerbeiti
contain the superior colliculi nuclei
diencephalon structure and main nuclei
thalamus, hypothalamus, sub thalamus and the epithalamus
anterior and posterior paraventricular nuclei
medial and lateral habenular nuclei
stria medullar thalami
Main nuclei of the Brain stem
Medulla
Pons
Cerebellum
Midbrain
Serotonin Source/Location
found in the digestive system
made from essential amino acid tryptophan
Non adrenaline source/location
produced in the nuclei that are small yet exert powerful effects on other brain areas
most important nuclei is the locus coeruleus found in the pons
Dopamine Source/Location
produced from the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine both of which can be obtained from protein rich food
