The Brain Flashcards
Neural Tube
exists as a precursor structure to the CNS (brain and spinal cord)
Cerebrum
One of the brain’s six divisions. Includes 2 hemispheres, and 5 lobes. Functions include intelligence and personality.
Diencephalon
One of the brain’s six divisions. Functions include sensory/motor relay& autonomic nervous system
coordinating with the endocrine system to release hormones, relaying sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, and regulating circadian rhythms (the sleep wake cycle)
Midbrain
One of the brain’s six divisions. A part of the brainstem whose functions include visual/auditory reflexes.
Pons
One of the brain’s six divisions. A part of the brainstem which serves as a relay center.
handles unconscious processes and jobs, such as your sleep-wake cycle and breathing
Medulla Oblongata
One of the brain’s six divisions. A part of the brainstem that serves as the autonomic nervous system ( heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure)
Cerebellum
One of the brain’s six divisions. Functions include motor coordination, balance/equilibrium.
Choroid Plexus
Highly vascularized regions that produce CSF and release it into ventricles
Lateral Ventricles
Ventricles that lie within the cerebral hemispheres; one in each cerebral hemisphere.
Septum Pellucidum
A thin membrane that separates the lateral ventricles
Interventricular Foramen
Located between the lateral ventricles and the third ventricle.
Third Ventricle
Ventricle surrounded by the Thalamus.
Cerebral Aqueduct
A passageway that travels through the midbrain and connects the third and fourth ventricles.
Fourth Ventricle
A diamond-shaped ventricle surrounded by the pons and cerebellum.
Circulation of CSF
choroid plexuses => ventricles => subarachnoid space => absorbed by arachnoid granulation => dual sinuses
Commissural Tracts
Cross fissure
Tracts that connect the right and left sides of the brain. These fibers cross through the corpus callosum and some cross through the fornix.
Projection Tracts
Connect higher and lower regions of the central nervous system. Relays sensory and motor information.
Association Tract
Generally found in the cerebrum, these tracts connect one part of the cortex to adjacent regions of the same hemisphere.
Frontal Lobe
in the front
Temporal Lobe
By your temples, auditory processing
Parietal Lobe
Parents pat on top of head
Occipital Lobe
Got eyes on the back of my head (processes visual info)
Insular Lobe
“insulated” by other lobes
Longitudinal fissure
divides two hemispheres
Transverse fissure
divides cerebrum from cerebellum
Central Sulcus
divides the frontal and parietal lobes
Lateral Sulcus
divides the temporal from frontal and parietal lobes
Parieto-occipital sulcus
divides the parietal and occipital lobes
Gyrus
ridge or fold
Sulcus
valley or groove
Fissures
major grooves
Precentral Gyrus
Site of the Primary Motor Cortex, works in association with other motor areas
Postcentral Gyrus
Site of the Somatosensory Cortex, tactile sensation only
Primary Motor Cortex
in precentral gyrus
Somatosensory cortex
in postcentral gyrus
Primary Visual Cortex
in occipital lobe
Primary auditory cortex
in temporal lobe
Primary Olfactory Cortex
in temporal lobe
Primary gustatory (taste) cortex
parietal and insular lobes
Prefrontal Cortex
in frontal lobe, important for social interactions and personality
Pineal Gland
produces melatonin, which prepares the brain for sleep
Thalamus
two egg-shaped halves with the third ventricle sandwiched between them. This brain region is often called the relay station of the brain because it is the synapse site for nearly all sensory pathways: signals are routed from the spinal cord or lower brain regions to the appropriate region(s) of the cerebral cortex.
Hypothalamus
located below the thalamus; has nuclei containing autonomic control centers, body temperature control, sleep cycle control center, emotional control center; responds to stimuli in the brain by releasing hormones that control the pituitary gland
pituitary gland
This gland produces hormones that control the thyroid, adrenal cortex, liver, and reproductive function.
Cerebral peduncles
large bundles that contain projection tracts; allow communication between the cerebral hemispheres and lower parts of the central nervous system.
Corpora quadrigemina
4 twin bodies including superior colliculi and inferior colliculi
Superior Colliculi
nuclei on the posterior side of the midbrain that initiate visual reflexes, such as the coordination of eye and head movements when tracking a moving object.
Inferior colliculi
nuclei on the posterior midbrain that receive auditory information and coordinate reflexive actions in response to sounds
cerebellar peduncles
large bundles through which tracts arriving at the pons enter the cerebellum
medullary pyramids
large ridges on the anterior surface of the medulla oblongata
Corticospinal Tracts
contains axons directing voluntary movements of the body
Medulla Oblongata Function
In addition to the mostly white matter tracts, several nuclei are present. These centers send and receive information for the autonomic nervous system: cardiovascular center, respiratory center, assorted autonomic center
Arbor Vitae
white matter that exhibits a distinct tree-like branching pattern
Vermis
meaning worm; midline lobe of the cerebellum
Cerebellum Function
coordinates motor functions and maintains balance; receives information from cerebral hemispheres and sensory receptors in muscles and joints
Basal Nuclei
clusters of gray matter surrounding the thalamus; functions include initiation of movements and coordination of control of antagonistic muscle pairs
Internal Capsule
bundle of projection and association tracts that separate the main bodies of the basal nuclei on each side
Corpus Callosum
thick, tough band of white matter that connects the hemispheres, just superior to the third ventricle
Amygdala
located both lateral and inferior to the basal nuclei; involved in decision making, emotional responses (fear and aggression)
Hippocampus
located lateral and inferior to the basal nuclei; involved in spatial memory and navigation
