Chapter 14 Study Guide

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering brain regions, structures, meninges, CSF, cranial nerves, and associated medical conditions based on the Chapter 14 study guide.

Cerebrum

One of the four major regions of the brain that has features such as gyri, sulci, and fissures.

Cerebral cortex

An extensive area of neural cortex covering the surface of the cerebral hemispheres, consisting of a thin superficial layer of gray matter.

Gyri

Prominent folds or ridges of neural cortex on the surfaces of the cerebral hemisphere.

Sulci

Shallow grooves on the surface of the brain.

Fissures

Deeper grooves on the surface of the brain.

Midbrain

A region of the brainstem containing nuclei that process visual and auditory information and control reflexes triggered by these stimuli.

Pons

A brainstem region that connects the cerebellum to the brainstem.

Medulla oblongata

The brainstem region that connects the brain to the spinal cord and contains vital autonomic reflex centers.

Interventricular foramen

The structure that allows the lateral ventricles to communicate with the third ventricle.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A filtrate produced by the choroid plexuses that fills the ventricles and continuously circulates in the CNS.

Cranial meninges

The three protective layers of the brain, which from deep to superficial are the pia mater, arachnoid mater, and the dura mater.

Dural folds

Inward projections of the meningeal cranial dura that provide stabilization and support to the brain; the three largest are the Falex cerebri, Tentorium cerebelli, and Falx cerbebelli.

Subdural space

A narrow gap by the arachnoid mater.

Subarachnoid space

The space between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater that contains cells and fibers of the arachnoid trabeculae.

Choroid plexus

An area within each ventricle where specialized ependymal cells produce CSF and remove waste.

Hydrocephalus

A condition caused by an abnormally large volume of CSF due to a failure of resorption or blockage, often resulting in expanded skulls in infants.

Cerebrovascular accident

The medical term for a stroke.

Blood-brain barrier

A barrier maintained by astrocytes that prevents materials from diffusion between endothelial cells, allowing only lipid soluble compounds into the interstitial fluid.

Nuclei

Collections of CNS neuron cell bodies.

Ganglia

Collections of PNS neuron cell bodies.

Decussation of pyramids

The site where tracts leaving brainstem nuclei cross over to the opposite side of the brain.

Cardiovascular centers

Reflex centers in the medulla oblongata that regulate heart rate and force of contraction.

Respiratory rhythmicity centers

Reflex centers in the medulla oblongata that set the basic pace of respiratory movements.

Gracile nucleus and cuneate nucleus

Nuclei in the medulla oblongata that relay somatic information to the thalamus.

Apneustic and pneumotaxic centers

Pontine centers that adjust the activities of the respiratory rhythmicity centers in the medulla oblongata.

Transverse pontine fibers

Fibers in the pons that interconnect cerebellar hemispheres.

Ascending tracts

White matter tracts that carry sensory information upward to superior parts of the brain.

Descending tracts

White matter tracts that carry motor signals down toward the spinal cord.

Corpora quadrigemina

Two pairs of sensory nuclei in the midbrain tectum, consisting of the superior and inferior colliculi.

Substantia nigra

A region of the midbrain whose neurons release dopamine; loss of activity in these neurons characterizes Parkinson disease.

Reticular activating system (RAS)

A specialized component of the reticular formation in the midbrain that, when stimulated, makes a person more alert and attentive.

Folia

Folds on the surface of the cerebellum.

Arbor vitae

The branching array of internal white matter in the cerebellum that resembles a tree in sectional view.

Ataxia

A disturbance in muscular coordination that can result from trauma, stroke, or drugs such as alcohol.

Epithalamus

The region of the diencephalon containing the pineal gland, which secretes the hormone melatonin.

Thalamus

The final relay point and filter for sensory information ascending to the cerebral cortex.

Lateral geniculate body

A thalamic structure that projects visual information to the visual cortex.

Medial geniculate body

A thalamic structure that projects auditory information to the auditory cortex.

Infundibulum

The stalk-like connection that joins the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus.

Pre-optic area

The region of the hypothalamus responsible for thermoregulation.

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

The hypothalamic nucleus that regulates circadian rhythms.

Hippocampus

A limbic system structure involved in the storage and retrieval of new long term memories.

Amygdaloid body

A part of the limbic system that links emotions with specific memories and controls the 'fight or flight' response.

Commissural fibers

Fibers that interconnect and permit communication between the two cerebral hemispheres.

Basal nuclei

Masses of gray matter embedded in the white matter of the cerebrum that subconsciously adjust and modify voluntary motor commands.

Wernicke's area

An analytical center near the auditory cortex associated with language comprehension and personality.

Broca's area

The motor speech area near the motor cortex that regulates vocalization and breathing patterns needed for speech.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A printed recording of the electrical activity of the brain, known as brain waves.

Optic chiasm

The location where fibers from the medial half of each retina cross over to the opposite side of the brain.

Trigeminal nerves

The cranial nerves associated with a painful condition called trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux.

Vestiobulocochlear nerves

The cranial nerves that primarily function in hearing, balance, and equilibrium.

Vagus Nerves

Mixed cranial nerves that are widely distributed in the thorax and abdomen.

Cranial reflex

An automatic response to stimuli that involves the sensory and motor fibers of cranial nerves.

List three important functions of cerebrospinal fluid

1. Supporting the brain

2. Cushioning delicate neural structures

3. Transporting nutrients, chemical messengers and waste

What fluid is produced in the choroid plexus

CSD is a filtrate produced by the fluid leaking out of the capillaries in the choroid plexuses

What two arteries supply the brain

Internal carotied and vertebral arteries

What major vein carries venous blood away from the brain

The internal jugular vein is the major vein that carries venous blood away from the brain.

What neuralgia cell produces a blood-CSF barrier in the choroid plexus

Specialized ependymal cells create a blood-CSF barrier

Which region of the brainstem contains the red nucleus and the substantia nigra?

The midbrain

Where is the headquarters of the reticular formation?

Midbrain

Superior colliculi

integrates visual information with other sensory input, initiate reflex response to visual stimuli 

Inferior colliculus:

relays auditory information to the medical geniculate nuclei reflex response to auditory stimuli

What is the Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum composed of

Highly branched neuron cell bodies

Two main functions of the cerebellum

1. Adjust the postural muscles of the body

2. Programming and fine-tuning movements controlled at the conscious and subconscious levels

Cerebellar cortes and cerebellar nuclei function

involuntary coordination and control of ongoing body movements

What are the three regions of the diencephalon

1. Epithalamus

2. Thalamus

3. Hypothalamus

What endocrine gland is part of the epithalamus

The pineal gland

What hormone does the endocrnie gland secrete

Melatonin, which regulates sleep-wake cycles.

What endocrine gland is connected to the hypothalamus

The pituitary gland

What stalk like connection joins the gland to the hypothalamus

The infundibulum

What two hormones are secreted by the hypothalamus

1. Antidiuretic hormone

2. Oxytocin

Paraventricular nucleus

secretes oxytocin, stimulates smooth muscles contraction in uterus and mammary glands

Mammillary bodies

control feeding reflexes (licking and swallowing)

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

regulates circadian rhythms

What is the function of gyri

Increases the surface area of the cerebral hemispheres and thus the number of cortical neurons they contain.

What structure almost completely separates the two cerebral hemispheres?

Longitudinal cerebral fissure

Association fibers

Interconnect areas of the cerebral cortex within a single cerebral hemisphere

Projection fibers

link the cerebral cortex to the diencephalon, brainstem, cerebellum and spinal cord.

What are basal nuclei

Basal nuclei are masses of gray matter that lie within each hemisphere deep to the floor of the

lateral ventricle.

Where are basal nuclei found

They are embedded in the white matter of the cerebrum

What is the function of the caudate and lentiform nucleus

subconscious adjustment and modifications of voluntary motor commands

What are the three functional areas of the cerebral cortex?

1. Sensory areas - sensory info

2. Motor areas- motor commands

3. Association areas - coordinate incoming and outgoing data from the sensory and motor areas

What is the primary function of the olfactory nerve?

Special sensory (smell)

What is the primary function of the optic nerve?

Special sensory (vision)

What is the primary function of the oculomotor nerves?

Motor ( eye movements)

What is the primary function of the abducens nerves?

Motor ( eye movements)

Which three cranial nerves primarily function in eye movement?

Oculomotor nerves, trochlear and abducens

Which cranial nerves are associated with a painful condition called trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux?

Trigeminal nerves

Which cranial nerves are associated with Bell’s palsy?

Facial Nerves

Which cranial nerves primarily function in hearing, balance, and equilibrium?

Vestiobulocochlear nerves

What part of the body is being referred to when the root word “glossus” is used

tongue

Which cranial nerves are mixed nerves that are widely distributed in the thorax and abdomen?

Vagus Nerves

Which cranial nerves provide motor signals to the muscles of the neck and upper back?

Accessory nerves

Which cranial nerves are associated with tongue movement?

Hypoglossal nerves