Brain Anatomy and Function

Flashcards for reviewing the anatomy and functions of various brain regions and cranial nerves.

Frontal Lobe

Decision making, planning, behavioral regulation

Parietal Lobe

Sensory integration center

Occipital Lobe

Processing and perceiving vision

Temporal Lobe

Processing and perceiving sound, memory, recognition

Pyriform Lobe

Involved in olfactory processing (scent)

Meninges

Series of three tissue layers that cover and protect the brain

Dura Matter

Tough, white, outermost layer on the outside of the brain; protect the brain

Arachnoid Mater

Middle, web-like layer on the outside of brain; protect the brain enclose cerebrospinal fluid

Pia Mater

Thin, transparent layer that is closest to the brain; protect the brain, enclose cerebrospinal fluid

CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid)

Protect brain and allow for waste removal

Choroid Plexus

Produces cerebrospinal fluid

Cerebellum

Coordinating movement, maintaining balance and posture, predictive modeling, adaptive learning, emotional and social behavior coordination

Cerebellar Hemispheres

Coordinating fine movement, enabling motor learning, predictive modeling

Cerebellar Vermis

Regulating posture, locomotion, autonomic and affective responses

Mid-Brain

Processes senses, controls movement, regulates consciousness and pain, enables learning through reward pathways

Superior Colliculus

Processes visual information and coordinates eye and head movements accordingly

Inferior Colliculus

Processes auditory information, localizes sound, acoustic startle reflex

Hypothalamus

Regulates homeostasis and behavior; synthesizes hormones; controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, and the circadian cycle

Pons

Sends signals to the cerebellum and forebrain; mediates sleep and arousal; regulates the rhythm and rate of breathing

Medulla

Regulates breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure

Olfactory Bulb (I)

Sensory: Process olfactory information

Optic Nerve (II)

Sensory: Carries visual information

Oculomotor Nerve (III)

Motor: Moves eyes up, down, and laterally; pupil constriction; eyelid elevation

Trochlear Nerve (IV)

Motor: rotational eye movement

Trigeminal Nerve (V)

Sensory: Information from the face skin, muscles, bone, and teeth, Motor: Biting, chewing, and swallowing

Abducens (VI)

Motor: Controls lateral eye movement

Facial (VII)

Sensory: Taste from the tongue, Motor: Facial expression, Parasympathetic: innervates salivary glands, and tear glands

Vestibulo-Cochlear Nerve (VIII)

Sensory: Carries sound information from the cochlea, and proprioceptive / balance information from the vestibular system

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)

Sensory: Taste from the tongue; sensations from the pharynx, Motor: Swallowing, Parasympathetic: salivation

Vagus (X)

Sensory: Carries sensory information from the viscera of the abdomen and chest, Motor: controls muscles of the larynx and the soft palate, Parasympathetic: regulates heart rate and digestion

Spinal Accessory Nerve (XI)

Motor: Controls the muscles of the neck and shoulders

Hypoglossal (XII)

Motor: Controls the muscles of tongue

Pineal Body

Produces melatonin (a hormone that regulates the circadian cycle)

Thalamus

Relays sensory information (visual, auditory, etc.) to the cerebrum, motor activity relay to the spinal cord

Corpus Callosum

Thick tract of myelinated axons that relay information between the right and left hemispheres of the cerebrum

Cerebral Aqueduct

Contains cerebrospinal fluid; connects 3rd and 4th ventricles

Septum Pellucidum

Thin membrane that separates right and left lateral ventricles

Caudate Nucleus

Motor, cognitive, emotional integration and learning center

Hippocampus

Memory formation, spatial navigation, and emotional regulation