2.3 Encéfalo y Nervios Craneales Rev CRS

Brainstem

The part of the brain that connects the brain to the spinal cord

medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain

Cerebellum

The part of the brain located at the posterior of the brainstem, known for its role in coordinating movement and balance.

Cranial Meninges

The three protective membranes—dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater—that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear, colorless liquid that bathes neurons and neuroglia, providing cushioning and regulation of chemical environment.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB)

A selective permeability barrier that separates the circulating blood from the brain and extracellular fluid in the central nervous system.

Thalamus

A major relay station for sensory impulses, except for smell, from the spinal cord and brainstem to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A small part of the diencephalon that plays a crucial role in homeostasis, regulating body temperature, hunger, and thirst.

Neurons

The fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, responsible for processing and transmitting information.

Synapses

The junctions between neurons, where signals are transmitted from one neuron to another.

Dura Mater

The outermost layer of the meninges, providing a tough protective covering for the brain.

Falx Cerebri

A crescent-shaped fold of dura mater that separates the two cerebral hemispheres.

Ventricles

Cavities in the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid, including lateral, third, and fourth ventricles.

Ataxia

The inability to coordinate muscular movements, often associated with cerebellar dysfunction.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the cerebrum, involved in higher brain functions such as thought and action.

Parkinson’s Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement, related to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons.

Lumbar puncture

A medical procedure used to collect cerebrospinal fluid to diagnose or treat conditions affecting the central nervous system.

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Also known as a stroke; an event that results in the death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

A temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke, caused by temporary disruption in blood flow to the brain.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, often due to an infection.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

A progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes memory loss and cognitive decline.

Lateral Corticospinal Tract

Major pathway for voluntary movement that originates in the motor cortex and terminates in the spinal cord.

Medulla Oblongata

The lowest part of the brainstem that controls vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Optic Nerve

The cranial nerve responsible for vision that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.