The brain and cranial nerves Flashcards
what is the brain important for?
emotions, memory, decision making, movement, sensation
the brain communicates via
spinal cord and 12 pr. of cranial nerves
what is the main parts of the brain?
- cerebellum 2. cerebrum 3. brainstem 4. diecephalon
what are the ventricles of the brain and its location
lateral ventricles (one in each cerebral hemisphere) third ventricle (medial to thalamus) fourth ventricle (between brain stem and cerebellum)
blood supply to brain branches from?
circle of willis
how much % of body weight is the brain?
2% and consumes 20% of oxygen and glucose blood flow to brain higher during neural activity
what are the protective coverings of the brain
- bone 2. CSF 3. meninges 4. dural partitions
what are dural partitions?
extensions of dura in deel fissures of the brain
what are the names of dural partitions in brian?
falx cerebri, falx cerebelli and tentorium cerebelli
what is blood-brain barrier?
brain capillary endothelial cells joined by tight junctions, continuous membrane, processes of astrocytes
what is the purpose of the blood-brain barrier?
prevent toxins and pathogens from getting to brain
what can cross BBB?
anesthetic, alcohol and glucose
what cannot cross BBB?
proteins, antibiotics
what is CSF?
colourless clear liquid that floats the brain and slows down movement, 80-150ml fills ventricles and surrounds CNS
what is the purpose of CSF?
protect brain, spin, transport nutrients and metabolic waste, provides stable chemical environment
what is the origin of CSF?
secreted from choroid plexuses, which are capillaries in ventricle walls that are covered by ependymal cells
what is the flow of CSF?
choroid plexuses - lateral ventricles - inter-ventricular foramen - third ventricle - cerebral aqueduct - fourth ventricle - sub arachnoid space
how is the CSF reabsorbed?
dural veneous sinus - arachnoid villi - sagittal sinus - transverse sinus - Jugular vein
what is the medulla oblongata?
continuation of spinal cord
what does the medulla oblongata contain?
ascending and descending tracts, pathways to and from cerebellum and nuclei of 5 spinal nerves
what is the medulla oblongata vital centre for?
cardiac center (force/rate of heart beat), vasomotor center (blood pressure), respiratory center (rate/depth of breathing)
what is the medulla oblongata also the center for?
coughing, sneezing, vomitting, swallowing, sweating, hiccuping
what is Pons?
bridge between midbrain and medulla, Cranial Nerve 5-7 come from
what is Pons responsible for?
controlling patterns of breathing
where is the midbrain located?
between Pons and diencephalon, cranial nerve 3 and 4 come from
what is the midbrain responsible for>?
co-ordination of muscle movement, visual and auditory reflexes
what is the reticular formation?
diffused network of neurons in brain stem that helps regulate muscle tones
what is RAS and what does it do?
Reticular Activation System = regulates levels of consciuosness=== filters sensory info except for smell before it goes to thalamus, can be turned off and on by cerebrum. turned off at night to cut off from world only auditory info in and is decided if important or not by cerebrum
what does the cerebellum do?
automatic process center, compares motor commands with proprioceptors, maintains posture, muscle tone and balance, processes smooth, co-ordinated movement.
what is cerebellum peduncles?
attached cerebellum to brainstem