Week 5: Neuro Anatomy & Physiology- CNS Features & Divisions Flashcards
What are the anatomical features of the CNS?
Brain
Spinal cord
Meninges
Cerebrospinal Fluid
What are the sections of the brain that are part of the CNS?
cerebrum, brainstem, cerebellum
Where is the spinal cord?
Contained within the vertebral column
What is the function of the meninges
To envelope and protect the brain and spinal cord
What is the function of cerebrospinal fluid?
to provide cushioning and nutrition to the brain and spinal cord, as well as drain away metabolites
What are the different planes of section used to describe anatomical features of the CNS
Coronal/Frontal (front to back)
Sagittal section (left to right)
Horizontal section (top to bottom)
What terminology is used to describe parts of the brain?
Superior - towards the top
Inferior - towards the base
Anterior/ventral - towards the front
Posterior/dorsal - towards the back
Rostral - towards the front
Caudal - towards the rear
What are the 5 main divisions of the brain?
- Telencephalon
- Diencephalon
- Mesencephalon
- Metencephalon
- Myelencephalon
Tell Dino Messa Met Myles
What is the myelencephalon made up of?
Medulla Oblongata
What is the medulla Oblangata responsible for?
- breathing
- heart rate
- salivation
- coughing
- sneezing
What is the metencephalon made up of?
the pons and cerebellum
Function of pons?
- pathway for information flow to and from the cerebellum
- works with medulla and other parts of the brain to increase arousal
Function of the cerebellum
- regulates motor movement
- shifting attention between auditory and visual stimuli
What is the mesencephalon made up of?
midbrain
What are the three main components of the midbrain?
- Tectum “roof”
-Tegmentum “floor” - Crus Cerebri/Cerebral Peduncles
What is the tectum “roof” of the midbrain made up of?
Superior colliculus: visual
Inferior colliculus: auditory
What is the tegmentum “floor”’s function
- substantia nigra
- dopamine production
- periaqueductal grey (PAG) pain suppression
What is the crus cerebri/ cerebral peduncles’ function
- to connect a large bundle of fibres
What is the diencephalon made up of?
thalamus and hypothalamus
what is the function of the thalamus?
relay station for sensory and motor info
what is the function of the hypothalamus?
- regulates internal environment of the body
- controls release of hormones from pituitary gland
- affects drive states - hunger, thirst, sexual behaviour
- regulate emotional states of fear and anger
- important for regulating body temp and blood chemistry
what is the telencephalon made up of?
cerebral cortex, limbic system and basal ganglia
What type of control does the cerebral cortex have?
contralateral control (each hemisphere controls opposite sides of the body)
What structures make up the limbic system?
Hippocampus (memory) and amygdala (emotion)
What is the function of the basal ganglia?
- planning and coordination of movement
- other cognitive functions like attention and language planning
What does gyrencephalic mean?
When the brain is folded into a series of hills/gyri
What is the purpose of folded hills and gyri?
to increase surface area of the brain, which enables complex functions
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
motor, planning, reasoning and judgement
What does the frontal lobe consist of?
the primary motor cortex
What separates the frontal and parietal lobes?
the central sulcus
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
somatosensation
Where is the parietal lobe located?
post-central gyrus
what is the function of the temporal lobe?
language, hearing, memory
- primary auditory area (auditory cortex)
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
vision- primary visual area
What is the temporal lobe separated from the frontal and parietal lobes by?
Sylvian fissure/lateral sulcus
what is the occipital lobe separated from the parietal lobe by?
parieto-occipital sulcus
What is the function of the insular lobe/insula
motor control, decision making, sensory
What are association areas?
They are yet to be studied in depth, but are areas of the cerebral cortex that connect sensory to motor areas, concerned with higher mental activities and produce meaningful experiences that enable us to interact
