CNS 1 and 2

CNS

The central nervous system, which is the main regulator of the body and is responsible for integrating information and making decisions based on it.

Meninges

Three layers of connective tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

top layer, strong white fibrous tissue, 2 layers that come together: periosteal and meningeal

arachnoid mater

second layer, delicate spider web like

pia mater

3rd layer, transperent, sticks to outer surface of brain and spinal cord and contains blood vessels

different spaces

Epidural Space: on top of dura mater, has fat

Subdural Space: below dura mater, above arachnoid mater, has lubricating serous fluid

Subarachnoid space

The space below the arachnoid mater and above the pia mater that contains cerebrospinal fluid.

Extensions of dura mater

Dural SInuses: function as veins and return blood from the brain to the heart.

Falx Cerebri: separates cerebral hemispheres

Falx Cerebellie: separates cerebellar hemispheres

Tentorium Cerebelli: separates cerebellum from cerebrum

Extensions of Pia mater

Filum terminale: anchors end of spinal cord to coccyx

Denticulate ligament: anchors spinal cord transversely to vertebrae

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A fluid that circulates in the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and central canal of the spinal cord, providing support and protection to the CNS.

where specifically is CSF located

subarachnoid space, central canal of brain and spinal cord, all 4 ventricles

how is CSF formed

occurs in the choroid plexus, plexus is lined with ependymal cells that take things from blood to make CSF

Lumbar Puncture

A procedure in which CSF is withdrawn from the subarachnoid space for testing purposes.

Spinal Cord

The oval-shaped cylinder that runs from the foramen magnum to the lower border of the L1 vertebrae and is responsible for transmitting sensory and motor signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Gray Matter

The inner butterfly-shaped structure of the spinal cord that contains interneurons.

White Matter

The external part of the spinal cord that contains bundles of axons and conducts signals between different parts of the CNS.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that send information from the periphery to the CNS.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that exit the CNS and project to the periphery to stimulate effector cells.

Brainstem

The part of the brain that includes the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain, and is responsible for sensory, motor, and reflex functions.

Cerebellum

The second largest part of the brain, located below the posterior part of the cerebrum, and responsible for coordination and balance.

Diencephalon

The part of the brain between the cerebrum and midbrain, which includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pineal gland.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres, and responsible for higher cognitive functions.

Gray Matter

The outer surface of the cerebrum and cerebellum, made up of cell bodies, synapses, and neuroglia.

White Matter

The internal part of the cerebrum and cerebellum, made up of bundles of myelinated axons that communicate between different parts of the brain.

Basal Ganglia

Islands of gray matter deep inside the white matter of each hemisphere, involved in the regulation of voluntary motor control.

Cerebral Tracts

Bundles of axons in the cerebrum's white matter that connect different parts of the brain and conduct sensory and motor impulses.

association, commisural, and projection tracts

Thalamus

A dumbbell-shaped mass of gray matter that serves as a relay station for sensory impulses on their way to the cerebral cortex. involved with emotions, arousal, complex reflexes

Hypothalamus

A structure beneath the thalamus that regulates autonomic activities, links the mind and body, and plays a major role in homeostasis.

• regulator for autonomic activities

Pineal Gland

A gland located just above the midbrain that regulates the body's biological clock and produces melatonin.

Medulla Oblongata

The lowest part of the brainstem, responsible for autonomic reflexes and vital functions such as respiration and heart rate.

Pons

The part of the brainstem above the medulla, involved in cranial nerve reflexes and regulation of respiration.

Midbrain

The midsection of the brainstem, involved in cranial nerve reflexes, red nucleus for muscle control, and communication with the cerebrum.

Cerebellum

The second largest part of the brain, responsible for coordination, balance, and fine motor control.

Cerebellar Cortex

The outer layer of gray matter in the cerebellum, responsible for processing and integrating sensory information.

Arbor Vitae

The white matter of the internal part of the cerebellum, consisting of short and long tracts that transmit signals within the cerebellum.

Long tracts

Conducts impulses to and from the cerebellum.

Peduncles

Allow for the passage of different long tracts and conduct nerve impulses along them.

Inferior cerebellar

Conducts spinocerebellar, vestibulocerebellar, and reticulocerebellar impulses.

Middle cerebellar

Conducts pontocerebellar tracts.

Superior cerebellar

Conducts tracts from dentate nuclei through the midbrain to the thalamus.

Dentate Nuclei

Cerebellar nuclei in each hemisphere that connect with the thalamus and motor areas in the cerebral cortex.

Functions

Achieves coordinated movements, produces skilled coordinated movement of muscle groups, maintains balance, controls posture, and processes sensory information.

Consciousness

State of awareness dependent on excitation of cortical neurons by impulses conducted through the reticular activating system (RAS).

Language

Ability to speak, write, understand spoken and written words, with speech centers located in the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes.

Emotions

Subjective experiencing and objective expressing of emotions, involving the limbic system, including the cingulate gyrus and hippocampus.

Memory

Major mental activity involving the cerebral cortex, especially the temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes, with structural changes in neural pathways allowing for long-term memory storage.