The Human Brain II Flashcards
What are the 3 planes used in brain anatomy?
Coronal, sagittal and horizontal
What are the 4 major sections of the brain?
- Cerebrum
- Cerebellum
- Brainstem
- Diencephalon
What is the brainstem composed of?
- Medulla oblongata
- Pons
- Mesencephalon
What does the pons have in association with the cerebellum?
Peduncles to the cerebellum
What does the pons have peduncles to?
The cerebellum
The brain stem has ______________ nuclei
“housekeeping”
Fulfil roles that are fundamentally important
What is the name given to the region at which ascending and descending pathway decussate in the medulla oblongata?
The pyramids
What occurs at the pyramids of the medulla oblongata?
Decussation
What are the nuclei found in the medulla oblongata associated with?
Control
What nuclei from the medulla oblongata have an input to the cerebellum?
Olivary nuclei
What is the inferior olivary nucleus involved with?
Motor control
What is the superior olivary nucleus involved with?
Hearing
Which olivary nucleus is involved with hearing?
Superior
What would large lesions in the medulla oblongata result in?
Death
The pons
- Connects to the cerebellum via peduncles
- Contains respiratory centres
- Lots of fibre tracts
What does the cerebellum have to do with the fourth ventricle?
The cerebellum forms the roof of the fourth ventricle
What would you see if you took a parasagittal section of the cerebllum
Folia
What are the layers of the cerebellum?
- Molecular layer
- Purkinje cell layer
- Granule cell layer
- White matter of folium
What is arbor vitae?
The white matter of folium in the cerebellum
What are the roles of the cerebellum?
- Muscle tone
- Coordination
- Motor error checking
- Learning (ride a bike)
What is cerebellar ataxia?
When the cerebellum is inflamed or damaged. Leads to loss of cerebellar neurones giving jerky, imprecise movements
What is a symptom of cerebellar ataxia?
Jerky, imprecise movements
What is the mesencephalon classed as?
Part of the brainstem
How is the mesencephalon associated with the cerebrum?
Cerebral peduncels
What is the tectum (on dorsal side) of the mesencephalon made up of?
Superior and inferior colliculi
What do two pairs of colliculi make up?
Corpora quadrigemina
The superior colliculi receives signals from where?
Retina
The inferior colliculi is involved in what?
Auditory system
What is the corpora quadrinogemina? Where is it?
Two superior colliculi and two inferior colliculi. Mesencephalon
Which structures are present in the mesencephalon?
- Substantia nigra
- Nucleus Ruber
Which disease is the substantial nigra associated with?
Parkinson’s disease
What are the substantial nigra and nucleus ruler important in?
Regulation of movement
What is the reticular formation?
Set of nuclei in the brainstem
What is the reticular activating system?
Set of connected nuclei involved in:
- Circadian rhythm
- Alertness
- Emotion
What is the diencephalon a part of? Forebrain, midbrain or hindbrain?
The forebrain
What does the diencephalon link?
Midbrain and cerebrum
What links the midbrain and cerebrum?
The diencephalon
What is the thalamus?
Processing and relay centre
Which is the only sense that doesn’t pass through the thalamus?
Smell
Does the thalamus have a role in motor output?
Yes
Does the thalamus have a role in arousal and emotion?
Yes
What is the pineal gland?
An endocrine organ which is a single structure
What is the unique about the pineal gland?
It is the only brain structure that is not paired
What does the pineal gland secrete?
Melatonin and seratonin
Roles of the hypothalamus
Wide variety of roles
- eating, drinking, sexual behaviour, stress etc.
What would cerebellar lesions/ataxia lead to?
Loss of fine control, jerky movements
