Brain Structures and Coronal Dissection Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and anatomical descriptions from the brain structure and coronal dissection lecture.

Putamen

A brain structure located ventral of the caudate nucleus that functions in regulating, preparing, and executing voluntary motor movement.

Globus pallidus

A structure represented at point 15 that regulates voluntary and subconscious movements by inhibiting motor activity.

Thalamus

The brain's main relay station (point 8) that processes and routes almost all incoming sensory information (except olfactory) as well as motor signals before reaching the outer cerebral cortex.

Fornix

The main output tract from the hippocampus (point 21) that transmits signals to structures such as the hypothalamus, thalamus, and the brain's limbic system.

Third ventricle

A structure (point 23) that is responsible for producing, holding, and passing along cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A fluid that cushions the brain against the skull during impact trauma and supports brain health by recycling or removing waste.

Amygdala

The brain's emotion center (point 24), located laterally and ventrally in middle coronal slices, responsible for processing emotions.

Cerebral aqueduct

A narrow channel (point 32) located below the third ventricle that enables cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flow smoothly between ventricles.

Periaqueductal gray

A region located directly above the cerebral aqueduct that controls descending pain modulation, autonomic responses, and defensive behaviors such as fight or flight.