Neuro Exam 1 - Anatomy of the Nervous System 3

Basal Ganglia

These nuclei are critical for the initiation of voluntary motion.

Where are Basal Ganglia located?

Deep within the forebrain, beneath the cortex.

What is the role of the limbic system?

The highly interconnected group of structures is important for functions such as emotion and memory. Includes the Hippocampus and Amygdala.

What is the function of the hippocampus?

An area crucial for your ability to remember the events of your life. Memory Storage.

What is the function of function of the Amygdala?

An area crucial for emotion and emotional memory

What is the Thalamus?

Like a train station. A cluster of nuclei at the center of the forebrain that direct sensory info to the cortex.

What is the Pituitary Gland?

The so-called aster gland of the body

What is the hypothalamus?

A cluster of nuclei with many functions like energy intake and control of the endocrine (hormonal) system via the pituitary gland.

What is the Cortex?

The wrinkly exterior of the human brain, (can be smooth in other species) contributes to everything from perception to decision making.

Where is the cortex located?

In the forebrain

What are Gyri?

Hills, a ridge or fold on the surface of the brain

What are Sulci?

Valleys, grooves on the surface of the brain

What is White Matter?

Throughout the brain, made of axons covered in myelin that arise form cell bodies in grey matter.

What is Grey Matter?

Throughout the brain and spinal cord, made primarily of cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons (the surface of the cortex is this)

What is the function of the Frontal Lobe?

Attention, planning, Decision Making, Motor Control

What is the function of the Parietal Lobe?

Touch, Proprioception (position of limbs in space — The bodies ability to sense its position, movement, and force without relying on visual input, enabling balance, coordination, and precise motor control.)

What is the function of the Temporal Lobe?

Hearing, Memory, Emotional Systems

What is the function of the Occipital Lobe

Vision

What is the cortical surface made up of?

Neocortex (~90% in humans) and Allocortex (~10% in humans)

What is the Neocortex

made up of 6 distinct layers of ells, differentiated by size, shape, density, and connects of neurons in each. Layer I is the most superficial, Layer VI is the deepest.

What is the Allocortex?

Made up of 3 or 4 layers of cells, depending on the region.

What type of brain has a smooth cortex?

Lissencephalic Brains (Rabbits, Rats, Etc.)

What type to brain has a wrinkly cortex?

Gyrencephalix Brain

What is the Ventral Midbrain called?

Tegmentum

What is the Dorsal Midbrain called?

Tectum

What is the function of the Ventral Midbrain (Tegmentum)?

Home to the cell bodies that send axons to the basal ganglia and cortex, releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine onto neurons in those areas.

What is the function of the Dorsal Midbrain (Tectum)?

Processes audio/visual information and controls orientation responses.

What is the medulla?

An outgrowth of the spinal cord that contains nuclei giving rise to the cranial nerves

What does the Medulla contain?

Nuclei and Cranial Nerves

What is the pons?

Connect the rest of the brain to the cerebellum, the cerebellum is crucial for precision control of motion.

What does the pons contain?

Nuclei that give rise to cranial nerves.

All sensory info coming in from and motor info going out to the spinal cord must pass through the…

Pons and medulla

What is the cerebellum.

Connects to the rest of the brain through the pons, crucial for precision control of motion.