U2L2: The Central Nervous System Flashcards
What are the two main subsections of the Nervous system?
central nervous system (CNS) & peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What is the CNS composed of?
The CNS is comprised of the brain and spinal cord .
What is the CNS in charge of?
The CNS is the main processing centre for feedback. The spinal cord and brain receive messages (inputs) from the body, process the information, and send a response (feedback mechanisms). In doing so, the CNS helps the body achieve homeostasis.
What is the spinal cord and its function?
The spinal cord extends from the base of the brain through a canal inside the vertebrae of the backbone.
It carries impulses between the brain and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) (nerves of the body)
What are the meninges?
Membrane covering the brain
What is the Corpus Callosum?
It is a Bundle of nerves connecting two hemispheres (left and right)
What is the Pituitary Gland and what are its 2 lobes?
The Pituitary Gland is an endocrine gland (hormone secreting organ) in the brain. It has 2 lobes
Anterior: secretes FSH, LH, GH, PRL, ACTH, and TSH
Posterior: secretes ADH & Oxytocin
What is the Medulla Oblongata?
It is part of your brainstem and connects brain to spinal cord. It coordinates reflexes and maintains homeostasis (e.g. heart rate, etc., especially involuntary responses)
What is the Cerebellum?
“Little brain”. Coordinates posture & balance, motor skills, muscle movements.
What is the PONS?
AKA Brainstem: RELAYS information between different areas of the brain Part of brainstem.
What is the midbrain?
The midbrain is above the brainstem and spinal cord. It processes information from sensory neurons in eye, ears, nose.
What is the Thalamus (located in forferont)?
Part of forefront. AKA “Relay station”. Connects forebrain & hindbrain and sensory system (besides smell)
What is the Hypothalamus?
Regulates temperature, blood pressure, needs (hunger, thirst, sleep), emotions, and coordinates the pituitary gland to help release hormones Controls autonomic n.s.
What is the cerebrum?
Largest part of brain. Divided into right and left hemispheres. Contain centres for intellect, memory, language. Performs higher functions (e.g. reasoning, emotions, fine motor movement).
What is the left side of the brain notable for?
logic, math, sequences, speech, comprehension, writing
