Neuroscience Lecture Notes

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the key concepts from the neuroscience lecture covering brain regions, structures, and functions.

Cerebral Cortex

The outermost layer of the cerebrum, involved in various higher brain functions including sensory perception, cognition, and motor control.

Broadman's Areas

Map of the cerebral cortex that delineates different areas on the basis of cytoarchitecture which correlate with various functions.

Gray Matter

Nervous tissue composed mostly of neuronal cell bodies and dendrites, important in processing and synapsing information.

White Matter

Nervous tissue composed primarily of myelinated axons, responsible for transmitting signals between different brain regions.

Basal Forebrain

A group of nuclei located deep within the cerebrum, involved in essential functions like acetylcholine production, memory, and emotional regulation.

Basal Nuclei

Groups of gray matter located beneath the cerebral cortex, involved in motor command processing and modulation.

Diencephalon

A brain region consisting of the thalamus and hypothalamus, serving as a relay center for sensory and motor signals.

Thalamus

The brain structure that relays sensory information to the cortex and processes information for importance.

Hypothalamus

A region located below the thalamus, regulating various autonomic and endocrine functions in the body.

Spinal Cord

The cylindrical structure encased within the vertebral column, playing a critical role in transmitting signals between the brain and the body.

Dorsal Root

The nerve root that carries sensory information to the spinal cord.

Ventral Root

The nerve root that carries motor commands away from the spinal cord.

Ganglion

A nerve cluster in the peripheral nervous system, which contains the cell bodies of sensory neurons.

Cerebellum

The brain region responsible for motor control, coordination, and learning of motor skills.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers released by neurons to transmit signals across synapses.

Dopamine Receptors

Specialized proteins that respond to dopamine, causing either excitatory or inhibitory effects depending on their type.

Direct Pathway

In the basal nuclei, the neural pathway that facilitates movement by providing excitatory signals.

Indirect Pathway

In the basal nuclei, the neural pathway that inhibits movement by processing signals through multiple steps.