BIOM2003 Organ Systems Physiology - Nervous System II

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to the nervous system, as presented in the lecture notes.

Lateralisation

The phenomenon where some cortical functions or processes are localized in specific regions of one hemisphere.

Cerebral dominance

The hemisphere that is dominant for cerebral functions, often associated with handedness.

Broca's area

A region in the left hemisphere responsible for speech production.

Wernicke's area

A region in the left hemisphere responsible for language comprehension.

Basal nuclei

Groups of nuclei in the brain important for motor control and various cognitive functions.

Diencephalon

A brain region consisting of thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

Thalamus

A structure that relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A region that regulates many autonomic functions and homeostasis.

Pineal gland

A small endocrine gland that secretes melatonin and regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Cerebral white matter

Tissue in the brain consisting of myelinated fibers that connect different brain regions.

Association fibers

Fibers that connect different parts of the same hemisphere.

Commissural fibers

Fibers that connect the two hemispheres of the brain.

Projection fibers

Fibers that connect the cerebral cortex to lower brain structures or spinal cord.

Substantia nigra

A brain structure that is part of the basal nuclei and involved in movement regulation.

Corpus callosum

A large bundle of commissural fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Medulla oblongata

The brainstem region that controls vital autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Cerebellum

The brain region that coordinates voluntary movements and maintains balance.

Cranial nerves

Nerves that emerge directly from the brain and brainstem, controlling various sensory and motor functions.

Decussation of pyramids

The point where motor fibers cross over to the opposite side of the body in the medulla oblongata.

Corticospinal tract

The pathway that carries motor commands from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord.

Caudate nucleus

A component of the basal ganglia involved in motor control and learning.

Globus pallidus

A part of the basal ganglia that helps regulate voluntary movement.

Internal capsule

A white matter structure that contains fibers connecting the cortex with other brain regions.

Putamen

A component of the basal ganglia that plays a role in motor learning and movement.

olfactory bulb

The structure responsible for processing smell information.

Cerebral aqueduct

A channel running through the midbrain connecting the third and fourth ventricles.

Reticular formation

A network of neurons involved in regulating wakefulness and sleep.