The Central Nervous System Flashcards
How is the Cerebral Hemisphere divided?
The cerebral hemisphere is the largest portion of the brain and is divided into the right and left hemisphere.
What is the function of the cerebral hemispheres?
The right hemisphere controls the muscles on the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere controls the muscles on the right side of the body.
What is the corpus callosum?
The corpus callosum is a dense white matter tissue that separates the hemispheres. It allows the two hemispheres to communicate and transmit information. It is also hypothesized to play a role in movement control, cognitive functions, and vision.
What are the four lobes of the cerebrum?
1) Frontal lobe
2) Temporal lobe
3) Parietal lobe
3) Occipital lobe
What is the function of the cerebellum?
The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating movement and balance and assist people with vision/eye movement. It receives impulses from the frontal lobe of the cerebrum. The cerebellum is latin for “little brain” and responsible for voluntary movements.
What is the brain stem? What are the three main parts (order from bottom to top of brain stem)?
The brain stem is the smallest part of the brain and is connected to the spinal cord.
1) midbrain
2) pons
3) medulla oblongata
Where is the medulla oblongata located and what are its three main functions?
The medulla oblongata is at the end of the brain stem and controls vital involuntary processes like:
1) heartbeat
2) breathing
3) blood pressure (contains receptors that are receptive to the conditions of the blood)
What is the three functions of the pons?
The pons transmits signals between the forebrain and cerebellum.
1) sends information and giving sensory cues to the body
2) supports movement and posture
3) can help you taste and touch
What are 3 functions of the midbrain?
The midbrain is the smallest portion of the brain stem.
1) Involved in regulating muscle movement and motor control.
2) functions as a relay system that transmits information necessary for vision and hearing (visual and auditory reflexes)
3) controls eye movements
What is are the three functions of the Thalamus?
1) The Thalamus is the gatekeeper of the cerebrum and receives information from your body’s senses (except smell)
2) It redirects impulses to the right or left side of the brain and filters out unimportant sensory stimuli.
3) All information must be processed through your thalamus before being sent to the brains cerebral cortex for interpretation.
What is the hypothalamus?
The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis by producing hormones that control body temperature, heart rate, and mood. It directly influences the autonomic nervous system by managing hormones in the pituitary gland
What is the pituitary gland?
The pituitary gland is the ‘master gland’ controls the release of hormones from other glands in the body. Connections between endochrine and nervous system.
What is the central fissure?
The cerebral hemispheres are separated by a deep groove called the central fissure. At the base of this fissure lies a thick bundle of nerve fibres, called the corpus callosum, which provides a communication link between the hemispheres
What is are the folds and grooves in the brain known as?
The folds in the brain are called gyri and the grooves are called sulci. The folds increase the efficiency of the brain and optimize how much brain matter can fit into the skull.
What is the meninges?
The meninges is three layers of nervous tissue that protects the brain and spinal cord.
