Lab 5 CNS: Brain and Spinal Cord

Practice flashcards covering the anatomy and function of the central nervous system, including the brain regions, cranial nerves, and spinal cord structures based on the Lab 5 transcript.

Gray matter

Brain tissue composed of cell bodies (soma), dendrites, unmyelinated axons, and glial cells.

White matter

Brain tissue composed of axons wrapped in myelin sheath.

Cerebellar peduncles

Structures that connect the cerebellum to the brain stem.

Cerebral peduncles

Structures that connect the midbrain to the cerebellum.

Midbrain

A region of the brainstem that is superior to the pons and inferior to the thalamus.

Optic (II)

A cranial nerve that originates from the retina.

Oculomotor (III)

A cranial nerve originating from the oculomotor nuclei at the ventral midbrain.

Trochlear (IV)

A cranial nerve originating from the trochlear nuclei at the dorsal midbrain.

Trigeminal (V)

A cranial nerve with sensory origin at the skin and mucosa of face, and motor origin at the trigeminal motor nucleus in the pons.

Glossopharyngeal (IX)

A cranial nerve that originates in the medulla.

Vagus (X)

A cranial nerve that originates in the medulla.

Hypoglossal (XII)

A cranial nerve originating from the hypoglossal nuclei in the medulla.

Arbor vitae

The branching white matter structure found within the cerebellum.

Longitudinal fissure

The deep groove that separates the two hemispheres of the cerebrum.

Transverse cerebral fissure

The fissure that separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum.

Central sulcus

The groove on the external cerebrum that separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.

Lateral sulcus

The groove on the external cerebrum that separates the temporal lobe from the lobes above it.

Precentral gyrus

The fold of the brain located anterior to the central sulcus.

Postcentral gyrus

The fold of the brain located posterior to the central sulcus.

Conus medullaris

The tapered, cone-shaped terminal end of the spinal cord.

Cauda equina

A bundle of spinal nerves and nerve roots at the inferior end of the spinal cord.

Filum terminale

A fibrous extension from the conus medullaris that anchors the spinal cord.

Spinal dural sheath

A protective layer covering the spinal cord.