Brain

The _________ connects the spinal cord to the remainder of the brain. It consists of the medulla oblongata, the pons, and the midbrain

brainstem

The _______________ is the most inferior portion of the brainstem and is continuous with the spinal cord. It extends from the level of the foramen magnum to the pons

medulla oblongata

On the anterior surface, two prominent enlargements called __________ extend the length of the medulla oblongata.

pyramids

Immediately superior to the medulla oblongata is the ________ . It contains ascending and descending nerve tracts, as well as several nuclei

pons

The _____________ , just superior to the pons, is the smallest region of the brainstem

midbrain

The dorsal part of the midbrain consists of four mounds called the ___________ .

colliculi

The _______________ are major relay centers for the auditory nerve pathways in the CNS

two inferior colliculi

The__________________ are involved in visual reflexes and receive touch and auditory input

two superior colliculi

The midbrain also contains a black nuclear mass, called the _________________ , which is part of the basal nuclei and is involved in regulating general body movements.

substantia nigra

Scattered throughout the brainstem is a group of nuclei collectively called the _________________

reticular formation

The reticular formation is a major component of the ____________ , which plays an important role in arousing and maintaining consciousness and in regulating the sleep-wake cycle

reticular activating system

The cerebellum is attached to the brainstem by several large connections called _______________

cerebellar peduncles

The ___________ is the part of the brain between the brainstem and the cerebrum. Its main components are the thalamus, the epithalamus, and the hypothalamus.

diencephalon

The _______________ is by far the largest part of the diencephalon.

thalamus

It consists of a cluster of nuclei and is shaped somewhat like a yo-yo, with two large, lateral parts connected in the center by a small_______________

interthalamic adhesion

The _________________ is a small area superior and posterior to the thalamus. It consists of a few small nuclei, which are involved in the emotional and visceral response to odors, and the pineal gland.

epithalamus

The _________ is an endocrine gland that may influence the onset of puberty and may play a role in controlling some long-term cycles that are influenced by the light-dark cycle.

pineal gland

The _______________ is the most inferior part of the diencephalon; it contains several small nuclei that are very important in maintaining homeostasis.

hypothalamus

A funnel-shaped stalk, the ____________ , extends from the floor of the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland

infundibulum

The ______________ form externally visible swellings on the posterior portion of the hypothalamus and are involved in emotional responses to odors and in memory.

mammillary bodies

The ____________ is the largest part of the brain

cerebrum

It is divided into left and right hemispheres by a _________________

longitudinal fissure.

The most conspicuous features on the surface of each hemisphere are numerous folds called gyri, which greatly increase the surface area of the cortex, and intervening grooves called __________ .

sulci

The ___________ is important in the control of voluntary motor functions, motivation, aggression, mood, and olfactory (smell) reception

frontal lobe

The ___________ is the principal center for receiving and consciously perceiving most sensory information, such as touch, pain, temperature, and balance.

parietal lobe

The ______________ functions in receiving and perceiving visual input and is not distinctly separate from the other lobes.

occipital lobe

The __________ is involved in olfactory (smell) and auditory (hearing) sensations and plays an important role in memory

temporal lobe

Most of the temporal lobe is separated from the rest of the cerebrum by the ________________

lateral fissure,

deep within the fissure is the __________ , often referred to as the fifth lobe.

insula

Ascending tracts project to specific regions of the cerebral cortex, called _______________ , where sensations are perceived.

primary sensory areas

Three connective tissue membranes, the ___________ , surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

meninges

The most superficial and thickest of the meninges is the ___________

dura mater

within the vertebral canal is an ______________ between the dura mater and the vertebrae

epidural space

The epidural space is clinically important as the injection site for __________ of the spinal nerves, which is often given to women during childbirth.

epidural anesthesia

The second meningeal membrane is the very thin, wispy _____________

arachnoid mater.

The space between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater is the ___________ , which is normally only a potential space containing a very small amount of serous fluid.

subdural space

The third meningeal membrane, the _________ , is very tightly bound to the surface of the brain and spinal cord.

pia mater

Between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater is the _______________, which is filled with cerebrospinal fluid and contains blood vessels

subarachnoid space