Unit 1: Neuroanatomy pgs 1-16 Flashcards
a collection of neuron cell bodies
Grey matter
a cluster of neuron cell bodies that are morphologically distinct from other neurons (grey matter)
Nucleus
“layer” or “band” of gray matter= nuclei
Lamina
nuclei, collection of neuronal cell bodies (grey matter)
Bodies
gray matter located on the outer surface
Cortex
an aggregation of neuronal processes/axons/ fibers
White matter
a collection of neuronal fibers/axons that are anatomically or functionally distinct (white matter)
Tract
“bundle” of axons (white matter)
fasciculus
“ribbon” or “band” of axons (grey matter)
lemniscus
“column” or “cord” of white matter
Funiculars
fibers/axons that are traveling rostrally
ascending
fibers/axons that are traveling causally
Descending
The part of the brain that connects the spinal cord to the cerebrum and cerebellum.
Brain stem
Three divisions of the brain stem
Medulla
Pons
Midbrain
gray matter areas of the medulla
Inferior Olivary Nuclei
cranial nerve nuclei
paired nuclear complex (L, R) that forms landmarks on ventrolateral surface
Inferior Olivary Nuclei aka olives
clusters of neurons that contribute fibers to or receive fibers from a cranial nerve.
Cranial nerve nuclei
Cranial nerve nuclei found in the grey matter of the medulla
XII - hypoglossal XI - spinal accessory X - vagus IX - glossopharyngeal VIII - vetibulocochlear (part of complex) V - trigeminal (part of complex)
white matter areas of the medulla
- ascending and descending fiber tracts (ex: pyramids)
- inferior cerebellar peduncles
paired (L, R) landmark structures on ventral surface of medulla comprised of descending corticospinal fibers/axons
Pyramids
paired structures on the dorsal surface of the medulla that help attach the cerebellum to the medulla and consists mostly of axons going to and from the cerebellum
Inferior cerebellar peduncles
Grey areas of dorsal pons include which cranial nerve nuclei
VIII - vestibulocochlear (part of complex)
VII - facial
VI - abducens
V - trigeminal (part of complex)
White matter areas of the dorsal pons
Middle cerebellar peduncles (MCPs)
paired structures (R + L) of the dorsal pons that contain fibers mainly traveling to cerebellum
Middle cerebellar peduncles (MCPs)
What part of the pons includes white and gray matter areas
Ventral pons
collection of neuron cell bodies in the ventral pons that receive input from neurons of the (ipsilateral) cerebral cortex and project axons to the contralateral side of the cerebellum to form the middle cerebellar peduncle that connects the pons to the cerebellum
Pontine nuclei
What part of the brain stem includes part of the brain ventricular system? Which part of the ventricular system?
Midbrain: the cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius) divides the midbrain into two portions: ventral & dorsal midbrain
What part of the midbrain is formed by a pair of cerebral peduncles - which include white and gray matter?
ventral midbrain or base of the midbrain
gray matter of the ventral midbrain includes which cranial nerve nuclei:
CN III - oculomotor nerve
CN IV - trochlear nerve
CN V - trigeminal nerve (part of complex)
What part of the midbrain is also known as the tectum?
Dorsal midbrain
The dorsal midbrain includes:
- 2 pairs of nuclei, the superior and inferior colliculi
The midbrain is divided into:
Ventral midbrain
Dorsal midbrain
Superior cerebellar peduncles
Neurons of the superior colliculi are concerned with what kind of reflexes?
coordinating certain reflexes in response to visual and auditory information
neurons of the inferior colliculi are involved in?
conscious auditory pathway
What white matter structures connect cerebellum to the midbrain and cerebrum?
superior cerebellar peduncles
Where is most of the grey matter distributed in the cerebellum? Where is some grey matter also found?
- on the outer surface forming the cerebellar cortex
- embedded in the medullary center as grey matter nuclei
The leaf-like folds of the cortical surface of the cerebellum are called what?
folia
The white matter that forms the center of the cerebellum is called what?
medullary center
Functional features of the cerebellum include:
- receives input from most sensory systems and cerebral cortex
- influences activity (posture, equilibrium, coordination) of the skeletal muscle
Is cerebellar control of motor activity conscious or unconscious?
largely unconscious
What 3 paired structures connect the cerebellum to the brainstem?
inferior cerebellar peduncles
middle cerebellar peduncles
superior cerebellar peduncles
What are the two major parts of the cerebrum?
diencephalon
telencephalon
The two halves of the diencephalon are separated by what structure?
3rd ventricle
What forms the core of the cerebrum?
diencephalon
The diencephalon is mostly white or grey matter?
mostly grey with some white
What are the parts of the diencephalon?
thalamus
epithalamus
subthalamus
hypothalamus
What is the structure that is composed of a collection of neurons/nuclei that relay most sensory information to the cerebral cortex? What is another function of this structure?
- thalamus
- involved in motor pathways
What is the principle autonomic center of the brain that helps control the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system?
hypothalamus
What structure of the diencephalon helps control the activity of the pituitary gland?
hypothalamus
What structure of the diencephalon includes the pineal gland?
epithalamus
Where is the epithalamus located relative to the thalamus?
dorsal medially
Where is the sub thalamus located relative to the thalamus and hypothalamus?
inferior to the thalamus and posterior to the hypothalamus
What is the sub thalamic nucleus involved in?
motor pathways
What divides the left and right hemispheres of the telencephalon?
longitudinal cerebral fissure
The grey matter of the telencephalon is organized into which areas?
- cerebral cortex
- corpus striatum
The nuclei (grey matter) located deep within the cerebral hemispheres that are important in motor control function are called what?
corpus striatum
White matter of the cerebrum is organized how?
as the medullary center
What are the three types of fibers that comprise the medullary center?
- association fibers
- commissural fibers
- projection fibers
Fibers/axons that connect a cortical area of one cerebral hemisphere to a similar cortical area of the opposite hemisphere?
commissural fibers
When commissural fibers cross from one hemisphere to another, they ______.
decussate
Fibers/axons that connect different cortical areas within a single cerebral hemisphere?
association fibers
Fibers/axons that connect an area of the cerebral cortex to a subcortical area or subcortical area to a cerebral cortical area?
projection fibers
Corpus callosum is an example of what type of fibers found in the cerebrum?
commissural fibers
The fibers that connect the thalamus to the cerebral cortex (thalamo-cortico fibers) are an example of what type of fibers found in the cerebrum?
projection fibers
Many of the projection fibers converge to form a compact zone of axons called______ that is positioned deep in each cerebral hemisphere
the internal capsule
The surface of the cerebral hemispheres is highly convoluted forming a series of folds called ______
gyri (gyrus = ring or circle)
The grooves or furrows that intervene between adjacent gyri are called ______.
sulci
The five anatomical lobes of each cerebral hemisphere?
(1) frontal lobe
(2) parietal lobe
(3) temporal lobe
(4) occipital lobe
(5) insula or Island of Reil