CNS & Lobes Of Brain

This set of flashcards covers key concepts regarding the central nervous system, specifically focusing on the major lobes of the brain, their functions, and related disorders.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, involved in higher brain functions such as thought, personality, and voluntary movement.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain responsible for coordination, balance, and fine-tuning motor activity.

Diencephalon

The central region of the brain made up of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

Brainstem

The part of the brain essential for life, controlling autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Thalamus

A sensory relay center of the brain that processes and transmits information to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A brain region involved in regulating homeostasis, including temperature control and hunger.

Epithalamus

Part of the diencephalon containing the pineal gland, which secretes melatonin.

Association tracts

Nerve fiber collections that connect different areas of gray matter within the same or different lobes of the brain.

Commissural tracts

Nerve pathways that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Projection tracts

Nerve pathways that connect the cerebrum to other brain regions and the spinal cord.

Frontal lobe

The lobe of the brain responsible for reasoning, planning, personality, and motor control.

Parietal lobe

The lobe of the brain that processes somatosensory information, such as touch and taste.

Temporal lobe

The lobe of the brain involved in processing auditory information and language comprehension.

Occipital lobe

The lobe of the brain that processes visual information.

Insula

Sometimes referred to as the limbic lobe, it is involved in emotions and behaviors related to survival.

Basal nuclei

Masses of gray matter in the brain that help control movement and motor activity.

Myelinated axons

Nerve fibers covered with myelin, which facilitates faster transmission of signals in the nervous system.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Fluid that cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord, produced in the brain's ventricles.

Blood-brain barrier

A selective permeability barrier that protects the brain from potential toxins in the bloodstream.

Hydrocephalus

A condition characterized by excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain.

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)

A sudden neurological deficit resulting from disrupted blood flow to the brain.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

A progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

An autoimmune disorder that damages myelin sheaths, leading to disrupted communication between neurons.

Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

A neuromuscular disorder causing weakness due to impaired transmission of nerve impulses to skeletal muscle.