The brain Flashcards
What is the brain’s role in the CNS?
Complex behaviours and experiences
What is the role of the spinal cord in the CNS?
reflexes
What is grey matter and where is it in the brain and spinal cord?
Nerve cell bodies
Brain - outer layer
Spinal cord - inner layer
What is white matter and where is it in the brain and spinal cord?
axons
brain - inner surface
spinal cord - outer surface
How much does the human brain weigh?
approx 1.5kg (2% of body weight)
how many neurons in the brain?
100-150billion - each one connects to approx 10000 others
What is a gyrus? (pl. gyri)
a fold
What is a sulcus? (pl. sulci)
groove
What is a fissure?
deep groove
What are tracts (eg. corpus callosum)?
Connecting point between the 2 hemispheres - important for communication (Split brain research)
What is the upper portion of the brain referred to as?
Dorsal/superior
What is the lower portion of the brain referred to as?
Ventral/inferior
What is the front portion of the brain referred to as?
Anterior/rostral
What is the back portion of the brain referred to as?
Posterior/caudal
What is a coronal cross-section?
Separates the brain into anterior (rostral) and posterior (caudal) halves
What is a saggital cross-section?
Separates the left and right hemisphere eg. at the point of the corpus callosum
What is an axial (horizontal) cross-section?
Separates the brain into dorsal (superior) and ventral (inferior) halves at the level of the corpus callosum.
What is the brain protected with?
Ventricles - filled with cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF)
What are 2 the roles of ventricles in the brain?
- shock absorbers - protect brain from injury on impact
- provide nutrition for brain cells
What is the function of meninges?
Protect brain and spinal cord (additional layers of tissue/membrane)
What are the 3 types of meninges (in order from under the skull to above the brain?
- Dura mater
- Arachnoid membrane
- Pia mater
What provides nourishment to the brain?
Blood vessels
What are the 3 main divisions of the brain?
- forebrain
- midbrain
3, hindbrain
What is the forebrain split into?
- Telencephalon
- Diencephalon
What is the telencephalon split into?
- Cortex
- Limbic system
- Basal ganglia
What are the 4 areas of the cortex?
Frontal cortex
Temporal cortex
Parietal cortex
Occipital cortex
What areas are part of the limbic system in forebrain?
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Cingulate cortex
What makes up the basal ganglia?
Caudate nucleus
Globus pallidus
Putamen
What are the 2 parts of the diencephalon?
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
What are the 2 parts of the midbrain?
Substantia Nigra
Colliculi
What are the 3 parts of the hindbrain?
Cerebellum
Pons
Medulla Oblongata
What is the hindbrain responsible for?
Vital body functions eg. breathing, heart rate and motor control
What is the substantia nigra responsible for in the midbrain?
motor control
What are the sensory relay stations in the midbrain?
Superior (vision) and inferior (audition) colliculi
What is the role of the hypothalamus in the diencephalon?
Hormone control
Sexual behaviour
Hunger and thirst
What is the role of the thalamus in the diencephalon?
Directing sensory info to different areas of the cortex
What is the role of the basal ganglia in the forebrain?
- caudate nucleus and putamen
Voluntary motor control
Learning and memory
What are examples of disorders in the basal ganglia?
Parkinsons and Tourettes
What is the role of the amygdala in the limbic system?
Emotional regulation
What is the role of the hippocampus in the limbic system?
Memory
What is the role of the frontal lobe?
Attention
Planning and decision making
Emotional control
What is the role of the temporal lobe?
Auditory perception
Language
Memory
What is the role of the parietal lobe?
Visuomotor guidance
Number processing
What is the role of the occipital lobe?
Visual perception
