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Flashcards covering key anatomical structures and their functions within the cerebrum, diencephalon, brainstem, and cerebellum, extracted from A&P Quiz 3 study guide notes.
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Cerebrum: Cortex
Superficial layer of gray matter (1.5-4.5mm).
Cortex Major Functions
Conscious thought, memory storage/processing, sensory processing, skeletal muscle control.
Cerebrum Hemispheres
Left and right parts of the cerebrum.
Basal Nuclei
Subconscious control of skeletal muscle.
Basal Nuclei (Movement)
Coordinates learned movement patterns by providing general rhythm/pattern.
Basal Nuclei (Axons)
Link cerebral cortex to diencephalon and brainstem.
Basal Nuclei (Direct Control)
Stimulates motor nuclei in the brainstem.
Basal Nuclei (Indirect Modification)
Sends output to the cerebral cortex after synapsing in the thalamus.
Ataxia (Parkinson's)
Caused by increased basal nuclei activity.
Diencephalon
Contains the Thalamus and Hypothalamus.
Thalamus
Major relay station for almost all sensory information coming into the cortex for regional processing.
Thalamus (Sensory Relay)
Final relay for ascending sensory information being projected to the cerebral cortex.
Lateral Geniculate Body
Receives visual information from the optic tract and sends signals to the midbrain and occipital lobe.
Medial Geniculate Nucleus
Relays auditory information from inner ear receptors to appropriate areas in the cerebral cortex.
Hypothalamus
Involved in emotion, fear, awareness, autonomic function, and hormone production.
Fight or Flight (Hypothalamus)
Production of epinephrine.
Brainstem
Contains the Midbrain, Pons, and Medulla Oblongata.
Midbrain
Processes visual and auditory information and controls reflexes triggered by them.
Midbrain (Consciousness)
Maintains consciousness.
Midbrain (Motor Patterns)
Can direct complex motor patterns at subconscious levels.
Superior Colliculus
Receives visual input from the thalamus and controls reflex movements for eyes, head, neck.
Inferior Colliculus
Receives auditory input from the medulla oblongata and pons and controls reflex movements of the head, neck, trunk.
Reticular Activating System (RAS)
Conditioned area where stimulation increases alertness and attentiveness.
Primary Stimulus to RAS
Light.
Pons
Contains tracts and relay centers; involved in somatic & visceral motor control.
Pons (Autonomic Functions)
Contains nuclei/centers regulating vital autonomic functions.
Medulla Oblongata (Sensory)
Relays autonomic sensory signals to visceral motor complexes.
Medulla Oblongata (Functions)
Regulates many autonomic functions, including sympathetic & parasympathetic responses.
Cerebellum
Fine tunes skeletal motor commands and vestibular info for balance & movement coordination.
Cerebellum (Motor Patterns)
Coordinates complex somatic motor patterns.
Cerebellum (Processing Center)
Automatic processing center.
Cerebellum (Monitoring Sensations)
Monitors proprioceptive, visual, tactile, balance, and auditory sensations.
Cerebellum (Postural Muscles)
Adjusts postural muscles by modifying activities of brainstem centers.
Purkinje Cells
Highly branched dendritic cells in the cerebellum, relaying motor commands.
Ataxia (Cerebellum)
Results from cerebellum damage or impairment.
Frontal Lobe
Contains the Primary motor cortex, Premotor cortex, and Prefrontal lobe.
Primary Motor Cortex (Dark Red)
Controls voluntary movements by controlling motor neurons in the brainstem/spinal cord.
Premotor Cortex (Red)
Somatic motor association area that coordinates learned movement.
Prefrontal Lobe (Purple)
Used for intellectual functions.
Parietal Lobe
Contains the Primary somatosensory area and Somatosensory association area.
Primary Somatosensory Area (Dark Green)
Receives sensory information from receptors for touch, pain, pressure, vibration, temperature.
Somatosensory Association Area (Green)
Monitors activity in the primary cortex and recognizes different sensations.
Occipital Lobe
Contains the Primary vision area and Visual association areas.
Primary Vision Area (Dark Orange)
Receives visual information from lateral geniculate bodies.
Visual Association Areas (Light Orange)
Monitors activity and patterns in the visual cortex and interprets visual information.
Temporal Lobe (Light Blue)
Contains the primary auditory area and auditory association area.
Primary Auditory Area
Monitors auditory information.
Auditory Association Area
Interprets activity in the auditory cortex and recognizes different sounds.
Broca’s Area
Motor speech area to determine speech pattern responses; involved in speech production.
Broca’s Area Location
Primarily in the left cerebral hemisphere, regulating patterns of breathing and vocalization.
Wernicke's Area
Involved in language comprehension and reading.
Wernicke's Area Location
Primarily in the left cerebral hemisphere, receives information and coordinates access to visual and auditory memories.
Gustatory Cortex (Taste)
Located in the insula, receives information from taste receptors.
Insula
Deep region containing the gustatory cortex.
Brainstem (Visceral Reflexes)
Primary area for visceral reflexes like managing blood pressure and breathing.
Fight and Flight Response (Location)
Primarily managed by the hypothalamus of the diencephalon.
Thalamus (Relay Center)
The relay center or switchboard for incoming information, sending it to correct areas.
Cerebellum & Basal Nuclei (Coordination)
Areas for coordination of complex somatic motor responses (skeletal muscle) and balance.
Basal Nuclei (Basic Cues)
Provides basic cues for movements like crawling, walking, then running.
Cerebellum (Learning)
Special area for learning through practice, such as running faster.
Cerebrum
The largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres.
Gray Matter (Cortex Properties)
Superficial layer of the cerebrum, responsible for conscious thought and processing.
Conscious Thought
A major function of the cerebral cortex, involving awareness and reasoning.
Memory Storage and Processing
Key functions performed by the cerebral cortex.
Sensory Processing
The cerebral cortex's role in interpreting sensory information.
Skeletal Muscle Control (Cortex Involvement)
A major function of the cerebral cortex, initiating voluntary movements.
Parkinson's Disease Ataxia
A form of ataxia specifically linked to increased basal nuclei activity.
Visual Information Processing (Midbrain Role)
A function of the midbrain, integrating visual input and coordinating reflexes.
Auditory Information Processing (Midbrain Role)
A function of the midbrain, integrating auditory input and coordinating reflexes.
Complex Motor Patterns (Subconscious)
Motor patterns directed at subconscious levels by the midbrain.
Reticular Nucleus (Pons)
A portion of the reticular formation found in the pons.
Vital Autonomic Functions (Pons Regulation)
Regulated by specific nuclei and centers located in the pons.
Sympathetic Responses (Medulla Oblongata Role)
Regulated by the medulla oblongata, part of the autonomic nervous system.
Parasympathetic Responses (Medulla Oblongata Role)
Regulated by the medulla oblongata, part of the autonomic nervous system.
Proprioceptive Sensations
Body position and movement sensations monitored by the cerebellum.
Balance Sensations
Sensations related to equilibrium and posture, monitored by the cerebellum.
Voluntary Movements (Primary Motor Cortex)
Actions consciously initiated and controlled by the primary motor cortex.
Learned Movement Coordination (Premotor Cortex)
The function of the premotor cortex in coordinating established motor skills.
Intellectual Functions (Prefrontal Lobe)
Higher cognitive processes such as planning, decision-making, and problem-solving, handled by the prefrontal lobe.
Language Comprehension (Wernicke's Area)
The ability to understand spoken and written language, facilitated by Wernicke's area.