The Brain

Question 1

Meninges

Answer 1

Three layers of tough, elastic tissue within the skull and spinal column that directly enclose the brain and spinal column. Protect the CNS by preventing the direct circulation of blood through the cells of the brain and spinal cord.

Question 2

Cerebellum

Answer 2

Location: Hindbrain. Inferior and posterior to the cerebrum.
Function: Muscle coordination and balance

Question 3

Medulla Oblongata

Answer 3

Location: Hindbrain. At the base of the brainstem, connects brain w spinal cord.
Function: Automatic, involuntary responses such as heartrate, constriction/dilation of blood vessels to control BP, rate and depth of breathing, swallowing, coughing.

Question 4

Pons

Answer 4

Location: Hindbrain. Superior and anterior to medulla oblongata in the brainstem.
Function: Relay centre between the right and left halves of the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the rest of the brain.

Question 5

Midbrain

Answer 5

Location: Above the pons in the brainstem.
Function: Relays visual and audio information between the hindbrain and the forebrain. Plays an important role in eye movement and control of skeletal muscles.

Question 6

Thalamus

Answer 6

Location: Sits at the base of the forebrain.
Function: Connects various parts of the brain. Mostly connections between the forebrain and hindbrain, and areas of the sensory system (except smell) and the cerebellum. “The great relay station of the brain.”

Question 7

Hypothalamus

Answer 7

Location: Just below the thalamus
Function: Regulate body’s internal environment, as well as certain aspects of behavior. Contains neurons that control BP, heartrate, and body temp, and basic drives and emotions. This area is also a major link between the nervous and endocrine (hormone) systems. It coordinates the action of the pituitary gland by producing and regulating release of certain hormones.

Question 8

Cerebrum

Answer 8

Largest part of the brain. 4/5 of the brain’s weight. Divided into left and right hemispheres
Function: Centres for intellect, memory, consciousness, and language. Interprets and controls the response to sensory info.

Question 9

Frontal Lobes

Answer 9

Associated with conscious thought, memory, intelligence, personality; control voluntary muscle movements

Question 10

Temporal Lobes

Answer 10

Involved in auditory reception

Question 11

Parietal lobes

Answer 11

Receive sensory information from the skin; process information about body position

Question 12

Occipital lobes

Answer 12

process visual information

Question 13

Corpus Callosum

Answer 13

Connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres through nerve tracts