Topic 2 Flashcards
What is the brain made of?
-Formed of nervous tissues(glial cells and neurons)
-Encased with skull
-Surrounded by 3-layer of protective membranes (meninges)
-dura mater (outer)
-arachnoid mater (middle)
-pia mater (inner)
Purpose of cerebrospinal fluid
-Circles between inner and middle of meninges
-shock absorber: protects from blunt force
-transports solutes, dissolved wastes, glucose, etc…
Brain function
-Receives, processes, integrates (sensory input —> output)
-Regulates autonomic functions
What is the cerebrum divided into? Roles of each part?
Cerebrum = largest part of forebrain.
Frontal lobe —> Judgement, behaviour, decision making, complex motor movements, etc…
Temporal lobe —> Auditory processing
Parietal lobe —> processes sensory info NOT related to hearing or seeing
Occipital lobe —> Visual processing
What is the cerebral cortex?
Outermost layer of brain.
-has many folds (grooves: sulci, bumps: gyri) to increase surface area + maximize the area for reactions and communication.
Cortex
Certain regions are responsible for controlling and regulating specific parts of the body.
Cerebral hemispheres
Right hemispheres—> visual patterns and spatial awareness
Left hemispheres—> verbal skills and analytical thought
While one might be dominate both communicate with each other AT ALL TIMES (e.g. Right sensory signals are processed in left hemisphere and vice versa)
Parts of the forebrain and their functions. Forebrain functions?
FOREBRAIN FUNCTION:
Complex cognitive function
Thalamus: relay station (conducts info to lobes)
Hypothalamus: Regulates internal equilibrium. Endocrine function = hormone secretion.
Cerebrum: 4 lobes, cerebral cortex
Pituitary gland: Releases hormones
Olfactory bulb: Receives and interprets info about smell
Midbrain parts and functions?
Tectum/Tegmentum: relay centre for vision and hearing, sends visual and auditory signals to appropriate lobes.
Hindbrain parts and functions?
Cerebellum: regulates balance, postures, and coordination.
Pons: bridge for cerebellum and medulla oblongata (relaying info)
Medulla oblongata: main region of involuntary (autonomic nerve control), regulates breathing rate, heart rate, etc…
What is the brain stem?
Connects brain to spinal cord (made up of pons and medulla oblongata)
Spinal cord branches to PNS
Function of spinal cord?
-conducts sensory input to brain and carries motor output to rest of body.
-brain to and from PNS
-FORAMEN MAGNUM: hole at the base of skull where spinal cord meets brain
-protected by veterbrae
-grey matter(inside), white matter (outside) —> opposite for brain
