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Nervous System > The Brain > Flashcards

The Brain Flashcards

1
Q

What are the different regions in the brain stem? What do the regions contain?

A

Medulla oblongata
Pons
Midbrain
Regions contain nuclei of specific cranial nerves

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2
Q

Where in the brain stem located?

A

Continuous with the spinal cord - the part between the spinal cord and the diencephalon

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3
Q

What is the function of the medulla oblongata?

A 
Contains centres (nuclei) for the control of HR, BP, swallowing, breathing vomiting ---> important safety functions 
Where information starts to be delivered.
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4
Q

What is the function of the Pons?

A

Contains centres for the control of breathing

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5
Q

What is the function of the midbrain?

A

Contains centres for reflex visual activities— tracking objects with eye, scanning stationary objects (reading), hearing

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6
Q

What nuclei does the midbrain contain? What is its function?

A

Contain nuclei called sustantia nigra, neurons that make dopamine extend from it

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7
Q

Name the parts to the brain

A

The brain stem
The cerebellum
Diencephalon
The cerebrum

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8
Q

What is ‘reticular formation’ and what does it contain?

A

A netlike formation of neural tissue that spreads throughout the brain stem

Contains Reticular Activating System (RAS) which helps:

Consciousness
Maintain attention
Prevent sensory overload by filtering out insignificant information
Regulate muscle tone

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9
Q

Where is the cerebellum found?

A

Posterior to brain stem

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10
Q

What is the function of the cerebellum?

A

Smoothes and coordinates skeletal muscle contraction

Regulates posture and balance

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11
Q

Name the different parts to the diencephalon.

A

Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Epithalamus

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12
Q

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

A 
Does most of everything!
Major regulator of homeostasis
Controls and integrates the autonomic nervous system 
Hormone production
Emotion and behaviour
Eating, drinking
Body temperature
Circadian rhythm 
Major integrative centre
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13
Q

What is the function of the thalamus?

A

Relay station - for sensory input to cerebral cortex. Directs pathways to appropriate places

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14
Q

What is the function of the epithalamus? What gland does it contain?

A

Involved in smelling - especially emotional responses to smells
Contains the pineal gland

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15
Q

What is the cerebrum made up of?

A

It is made up of a whole bunch of interneurons

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16
Q

How is the cerebrum structurally divided?

A

Two halfs or hemispheres - right and left.
Outer rim of grey matter (cerebral cortex)
Inner region of white matter
Grey matter nuclei deep within white

17
Q

What is the cerebral cortex resemble? What does it contain?

A

Bark.
Contains sensory areas involved in perception
Contains motor areas involved in the execution of voluntary movements

18
Q

What is the white matter of the cerebrum called? What does it contain?

A

Associated area. myelinated.
Contain areas that deal more with complex functions like memory, emotions, reasoning, will, judgement, personality traits, intelligence

19
Q

What is the basal ganglia also known as?

A

Aka basal nuclei ( may be called this because we are in the CNS not the PNS)

20
Q

What is the function of the Basal Ganglia?

A

Helps regulate starting and stopping of movement
Helps control subconscious contraction of skeletal muscle
Helps suppress unwanted movement (resting tremor)
Helps to set resting muscle tone

21
Q

Functionally,what is the basal ganglia linked to?

A

Linked to the substantia nigra of the midbrain, which makes dopamine (NT)

22
Q

What functions is the limbic system in the brain involved in?

Which areas of the brain are this system?

A

Emotion, smelling,and memory (strong connection between smell and memory)

Includes parts of the hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala and other nearby structures

23
Q

Which structure is most classically involved in memory?

A

Hippocampus

24
Q

Describe hippocampus’ function

A

Memory - encoding, consolidating, retrieval.
Important in converting short term memory into long-term
“50 first dates” what happens when it goes wrong

25
Q

What is the function of the amygdala?

A

Important in emotional function, especially fear

Nervous System (8 decks)

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