The Brain, Cranial Nerves, & CNS Pathology

Question 1

Cerebrum

Answer 1

largest part of the brain (majority of brain tissue and most complex), read,writing, voluntary movements, thinking; made of surface layer of grey matter called cerebral cortex (everything processing in brain occurs here)

Question 2

Cerebellum

Answer 2

balance & motor control; makes you aware of your position (think of the soccer ball)

Question 3

Diencephalon

Answer 3

consists of thalamus, hypothalamus, & epithalamus

Question 4

Thalamus

Answer 4

mostly sensory relay (so we don’t feel everything b/c that’s too much stimulation) (think of secretary only allowing certain people to meet with the boss)

Question 5

Epithalamus

Answer 5

contains pineal gland; controls circadian rhythm; melatonin

Question 6

Hypothalamus

Answer 6

hormone production/control; 1 of the connections b/w the endocrine system and nervous system

Question 7

Brain Stem

Answer 7

continuous with spinal cord

Question 8

Midbrain

Answer 8

visual/auditory reflexes; direct subconcious complex motor patterns; contains substantia nigra cells (release dopamine to help subconcous muscle activity) reticular formation is contained here, maintains consciousness

Question 9

Pons

Answer 9

links cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and spinal cord; reticular formation; has respiratory centers (modulate respiration)

Question 10

Medulla Oblongata

Answer 10

all communication (sensory & motor); contians pyramids (all info from one side processes to other side of pyramid called decussation, or crossing over; autonomic centers are here (controls vital functions like breathing, cardiovascular centers, etc); active even in a coma/someone who is brain dead (can still cough, sneeze hiccup)

Question 11

Cranial Meninges

Answer 11

protective coverings of the brain (continuous with spinal meninges)

Question 12

Dura Mater

Answer 12

outer layer; toughest of 3 cranial meninges

Question 13

Arachnoid Mater

Answer 13

middle layer; contains blood vessels; smooth covering; contains collogen and elastin

Question 14

Pia Mater

Answer 14

directly connected to the brain’s neural tissue (goes in and out of folds)

Question 15

Wernicke’s Area

Answer 15

speech comprehension

Question 16

Broca’s Area

Answer 16

speech production (boca = mouth)

Question 17

Prefrontal Cortex

Answer 17

where personality is found

Question 18

Falx Ceribri

Answer 18

covers/holds cerebellum

Question 19

Falx Cerebelli

Answer 19

stabalizes cerebellum

Question 20

Tentoriam Cerebelli

Answer 20

in between cerebrum & cerebellum

Question 21

CSF

Answer 21

absorbed by arachnoid granulations (arachnoid processes)

Question 22

Ventricles

Answer 22

filled with CSF/lined with ependymal cells

Question 23

Fissures

Answer 23

divide hemispheres