THE BRAIN Flashcards
List 5 functions of the brain
- receives, localises and interprets sensory input
- generates the motor ouput
- responsble for our emotions, behaviours and personality
- cognitive function
memories
why does the brain require a constant supply of oxygen and glucose
prevents neurons from dying
what is the largest part of the brain
the cerebrum
what is the cerebrum divided by?
2 cerebral hemisphere by a longitudinal fissure
describe the surface of the cerebrum
convuluted
name for a ridge
gyrus / gyri
name for a shallow groove
sulcus / sulci
what is the purpose of having gyri and sulcu covering the brain
increases the surface area of the cerebrum allowing for more neurons
name the 5 lobes
frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, insula
each cerebral hemisphere is divided into 3 regions:
cerebral cortex
cerebral white matter
basal nuclei
what are the 5 functions of the nuclei found in the cerebral cortex
- receive, localise and interpret sensory input
- control voluntary skeletal muscle movement
- intellectual and language function
- memories
- emotions, behaviours and personality
each cerebral cortex contains 3 main functional areas
motor areas
sensory areas
association areas
what is the function of a motor area in the cerebral cortex
controls voluntary skeletal muscle movements
what is the function of a sensory area in the cerebral cortex
receivess and localises sensory input
percieve sensations
what is the function of the association area of the cerebral cortex
- interprets sensory input
- plans and cordinates motor response
- performs intellectual functions, memories, behaviour and personality
- receives sensory input and sends motor output to the contralateral side of the body
list the 5 motor areas of the cerebral cortex
broca's frontal eye field premotor cortex primary motor cortex central sulcus
where is the primary motor cortex located
in the precentral gyrus of each frontal lobe
what is the main function of the primary motor cortex
generates the somatic motor output that stimulates voluntary skeletal muscle movements
the amount of primary motor cortex devoted to controlling a body part is proportional to what
the complex nature of its movements
where are the sensory areas of the cerebral cortex located
insula, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes
where is the primary somotosensory cortex located
in the postcentral gyrus of each parietal lobe
what is the main function of the primary somatosensory cortex
receives general sensory information and perceives sensations of touch, pain, vibration, pressure, temperature and proprioception
the amount of sensory cortex devoted to a particular body part depends on the number of
receptors it has
what is the main function of the somoatosensory association area
receives general sensory input from the primary somatosensory cortex and interprets general sensory input and compares it to stored memories of past expriences.
where is the visual area located
occipital lobe
where is the auditory area located
in each temporal lobe
where is the olfactory cortex found
temporal lobe
where is the gustatory cortex found
insula
where is the visceral cortex found
insula
where is the vestibular cortex found
insula
function of the olfactory cortex
perceives different odours
what is the function of the gustatory cortex
perceives taste
what is the function of the visceral cortex
perceives visceral sensations
what is the function of the vestibular cortex
awareness of balance
where is the wernicke’s area located
left temporal lobe
what is the function of the wernicke’s area
written and spoken language
what is our prefrontal cortex responsible for?
intellect, complex learning abilities, personality and behaviour
what is the cerebral white matter composed of
myelinated axons
name the 3 types of tracts found in the cerebral white matter
- commissural tracts
- association tracts
- projection tracts
what does the commissural tract do
conducts info between 2 cerebral hemispheres
what does the association tract do
conducts info between cortical areas in the same hemispheres
what does the projection tract do
conducts info between the cerebral cortex and lower parts of the CNS
Describe the cerebral basal nucelei
islands of gray matter deep within the white matter
main function of the cerebral basal nuceli
communicates with the motor areas of the cerebral cortex to facilitate smooth skeletal muscle movements
what is the secondest largest part of the brain
cerebellum
outer cortex of the cerebellum is known as
cerebellar cortex
the inner region of white matter in the cerebellum
arbor vitae
main function of the cerebullum
smooth, coordinated skeletal movement, maintains posture and balance
what is included in the diencephalon
thalamus
hypothalamus
epithalamus
what is the main function of the thalamus
relay station for information coming into the cerebral cortex
processes and integrates sensory input
relays sensory input to the correct cerebral destination
relays motor adjustments made by the basal nuclei and cerebellum.
6 functions of the nuclei found in the hypothalamus
- controls activities of the autonomic NS
- regulates body temo
- hunger, satiety and thirst
- sleep wake cycles
- emotions
what main 2 hormones does the hypothalamus produce
ADH, oxytocin
which part of the brain includes the pineal gland
epithalamus
which hormone does the pineal gland produce
melatonin
what are the 2 main functions of the limbic system
- establishes and controls emotions
- formation of long term memories
what does the hippocampus do
converts short term memories to long term memories
what is included in the brain stem
midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata and reticular formation
what 2 main things does the medulla oblongata control
CV centre
Respiratory centre
main function of the reticular activating system
maintains consciousness
contusion is
bruising of the brain
compare the 2 types of strokes
ischaemic stroke: blood clot in a cerebral artery
haemorrhagic stroke: ruptured blood vessel
list 5 symptoms of a stroke
headache
muscle weakness
loss of vision
difficulty speaking / understanding
alternative name for mini stroke
transient ischaemic attack
what does the FAST acronym stand for
FACE
ARMS
SPEECH
TIME
What part of the brain does alzheimers disease predomanetly affect
hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
symptoms of alzheimers
memory loss
confusion
personality change
inability to read, write, talk, eat, walk
