Human Anatomy and Physiology - The Central Nervous System

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on the central nervous system, including neural structures, their functions, and associated disorders.

What is the primary role of Cerebral White Matter?

Responsible for communication between cerebral areas and between the cortex and lower CNS.

What are the three types of fibers classified in Cerebral White Matter?

Association, commissural, and projection fibers.

What do association fibers connect?

Different parts of the same hemisphere.

What do commissural fibers connect?

Gray matter of two hemispheres.

What do projection fibers connect?

Hemispheres with lower brain or spinal cord.

What is the internal capsule?

Projection fibers that form a compact band on each side of the brain stem.

What is the corona radiata?

Projection fibers that radiate through the cerebral white matter to the cortex.

What are the components of the basal nuclei?

Caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus.

What is the striatum?

The combination of the caudate nucleus and putamen.

What functions are associated with the basal nuclei?

Influencing muscle movements, cognition, and emotion regulation.

What disorders are associated with the basal nuclei?

Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.

What are the three paired gray-matter structures in the diencephalon?

Thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

What is the main function of the thalamus?

Act as a relay station for information coming into the cortex.

What is the significance of the interthalamic adhesion?

Connects the bilateral nuclei of the thalamus.

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Autonomic nervous system and homeostasis.

What are the chief homeostatic controls of the hypothalamus?

Blood pressure, heart rate, digestive tract motility, and pupil size.

What is the role of the infundibulum?

Connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.

What does the epithalamus contain?

Pineal gland that secretes melatonin.

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Processes input to provide precise and coordinated movements.

What is the role of the cerebellar cortex?

Contains Purkinje fibers that adjust muscle contraction coordination.

What connects the cerebellum to the brain stem?

Cerebellar peduncles.

What are the three paired cerebellar peduncles?

Superior, middle, and inferior cerebellar peduncles.

What is the function of the medulla oblongata?

Control autonomic reflexes and homeostatic functions.

What are the functions of the cardiovascular center in the medulla?

Adjusts heart rate and blood vessel diameter.

What centers does the medulla regulate?

Respiratory centers, and centers for vomiting, hiccupping, and swallowing.

What does the midbrain contain that is important for motor control?

Cerebral peduncles that contain pyramidal motor tracts.

What are the corpora quadrigemina?

Paired dorsal protrusions in the midbrain involved in visual and auditory reflexes.

What roles do the superior and inferior colliculi play?

Superior colliculi are visual reflex centers, inferior colliculi are auditory relay centers.

What is the role of the pons?

Connects higher brain centers and relays impulses between motor cortex and cerebellum.

What types of cranial nerves originate in the pons?

Cranial nerves V (trigeminal), VI (abducens), and VII (facial).

What anatomical features does the medulla oblongata blend into?

The spinal cord at the foramen magnum.

What is the function of the pyramids in the medulla?

Formed by pyramidal tracts from the motor cortex.

What occurs at the decussation of the pyramids?

The point where pyramidal tracts cross to the opposite side of the body.

What does the term 'arbor vitae' refer to?

The treelike pattern of white matter found in the cerebellum.

What is the relationship of cerebellar fibers to body sides?

All fibers in the cerebellum are ipsilateral, from and to the same side of the body.

What part of the brain is involved in limbic system functions?

Hypothalamus.

How does the cerebellum assist in cognitive functions?

It compares actual output of higher functions with expected output.

What are the three lobes of each cerebellar hemisphere?

Anterior, posterior, and flocculonodular lobes.

What structural feature does the cerebellum have that allows it to fine-tune motor activity?

It receives impulses from the cerebral cortex and sensory receptors.

What type of fibers help in balancing and coordinating muscle contraction?

Proprioceptors in the body.

What are folia in relation to the cerebellum?

Transversely oriented gyri in the cerebellar cortex.

What role does the hypothalamus play in emotion?

It perceives pleasure, fear, rage, and manages biological rhythms.

What are mammillary bodies?

Paired anterior nuclei in the hypothalamus that act as olfactory relay stations.

Identify the pair of nuclei connected by the interthalamic adhesion.

Thalamic nuclei.

What condition is indicated by the degeneration of the substantia nigra?

Parkinson’s disease.