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A procedure in which CSF is withdrawn from the subarachnoid space for testing purposes.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