The Brain I Flashcards
Name the three coverings of the brain
Dura Mater
Arachnoid Mater
Pia Mater
What is the singular of meninges?
meninx
Physically describe the dura mater
Thick as a rubber glove
Fibrous outer layer made from dense, irregular CT
What does dura mater mean?
“Tough Mother”
What are the two layers of the dura mater?
2 layers, usually fused
Meningeal layer: near the meninges
Periosteal layer: near the bone
What is a dural sinus?
In certain areas, gaps that form between the meningeal and periosteal layers
Physically describe the arachnoid mater
A transparent membrane over the surface of the brain
Provides a smooth surface that does not follow the brain’s underlying folds
What does arachnoid mater mean?
“Spider” mater
How does the arachnoid mater connect to the pia mater?
With delicate threads
What does pia mater mean?
Delicate mother
Physically describe the pia mater
A thin, transparent layer
It adheres to the surface of the brain
Not removable
How is the pia mater anchored to the brain?
By the processes of astrocytes
The brain weights _______ grams and is protected by _______.
1,200
The cranial bones
How does the brain grow in the first year of life and what is this process called?
Mainly due to the increase is size of cells already present, this is called hypertrophy
What are the 4 subunits of the brain?
Cerebrum
Diencephalon
Cerebellum
Brain stem
What three parts make up the diencephalon?
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Epithalamus
What three parts make up the brain stem?
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla oblongata
If you touch a hot stove, the _______ _______ keep you safe while the brain is processing information.
Spinal reflexes
The cerebrum is made from 2 ________ ________ and composes the _______ of the brain
Cerebral hemispheres
Bulk
The cerebrum accounts for ____% of the weight of the brain.
60%
The surface of the cerebrum is made of _____ matter and forms the _______ ________.
Gray
Cerebral cortex
Gray matter is composed of ________ _______ _______.
Neuronal cell bodies
Gray matter is ______mm thick and contains billions of neurons and __________ fibers.
2-4 mm
unmyelinated
What part of the brain does intelligence, memory, creativity, and the ability to read, write, speak, calculate, compose music, etc come from?
Cerebrum
What is white matter and why is it white?
Lies underneath gray matter and is bundles of parallel axons and their sheaths- the white color comes from the myelin in the sheath