PNS/CNS

Ventricles

Cavities in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Thalamus

Relay station for sensory information.

Gray Matter

Contains neuronal cell bodies and dendrites.

White Matter

Consists of myelinated axons.

Contra

Against or opposite.

Ipsi

Same or on the same side.

Lateral

On the side.

Medial

On the middle or center.

Parietal Lobe

Involves sensory perception and integration.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for reasoning, motor control, and higher-level functions.

Temporal Lobe

Associated with processing auditory information and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Primarily involved in visual processing.

Cerebellum

Responsible for balance and coordination.

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain, responsible for higher brain functions.

Gyri

The raised folds of the brain.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Hypothalamus

Regulates homeostasis.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls involuntary functions.

Midbrain

Associated with vision, hearing, and motor control.

Pons

Relays signals in the brain.

Spinal Cord

Conducts sensory and motor information.

Sulci

The grooves between the gyri.

Monosynaptic Reflex

Involves one synapse between the sensory and motor neuron (e.g., knee-jerk reflex).

Polysynaptic Reflex

Involves one or more interneurons, allowing for more complex responses (e.g., withdrawal reflex).

Ipsilateral Reflex

Occurs on the same side of the body as the stimulus.

Contralateral Reflex

Occurs on the opposite side of the body in response to a stimulus.

Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)

Responsible for the sense of smell.

Cranial Nerve II (Optic)

Responsible for vision.

Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)

Regulates functions of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract.

Four Types of Sensory Receptors

Photoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, chemoreceptors, thermoreceptors.

Function of Ventricles

Cavities in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Dura Mater

Outermost, tough layer of the meninges.

Arachnoid Mater

Middle web-like layer of the meninges.

Pia Mater

Innermost, delicate layer adhering to the brain.

Homunculus

Visual representation of body areas corresponding to different regions of the brain.

Association Areas

Regions that integrate different types of information for complex processing.

Cerebral Cortex

Gray matter on the outside and white matter on the inside.

Gray Matter vs. White Matter

Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies; white matter consists of myelinated axons.

Reflex Arc Steps

Stimulus, receptor, afferent pathway, integration center, efferent pathway, effector.

How Hearing Works

Sound waves vibrate the eardrum and are transmitted to the cochlea.

Structure of the Eye

Includes parts like the cornea, pupil, lens, retina, and optic nerve.

Basics of Taste

Detected by taste buds: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, umami.

Basics of Smell

Detected by olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity.

Function of Gyri and Sulci

Gyri are the raised folds; sulci are the grooves between them.

Cerebral Cortex Characteristics

Increases surface area for cognitive functions.

Contralateral Control

Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body.

Symmetrical Hemispheres

Hemispheres may be structurally the same but functionally different.

Ventricles

Produced by the choroid plexus.

Spinal Nerves

31 pairs, named by the region of the spine they originate from.

Types of Nerves

Afferent, efferent, and mixed nerves.

Eye Function

Understanding how eye parts work together for vision.

Cranial Nerves Overview

Cranial nerves facilitate various sensory and motor functions.

Brain Structure Overview

Key areas include cerebellum, cerebrum, and diencephalon.