GANT211 MIDTERM

Cerebellum

A part of the brain located at the posterior cranial fossa that controls balance, posture, movement planning, and coordination of voluntary movements.

Arbor vitae

The inner layer of the cerebellum composed of white matter, resembling a tree-like structure.

Vermis

The midline portion of the cerebellum.

Fissures

Deep grooves in the cerebellum, including the anterior and posterolateral fissures.

Lobes

Different regions of the cerebellum with specific functions, including the anterior lobe, posterior lobe, and flocculonodular lobe.

Archicerebellum

The oldest phylogenetic subdivision of the cerebellum, consisting of the flocculonodular lobe and regulating equilibrium and posture.

Paleocerebellum

The subdivision of the cerebellum associated with proprioceptive and exteroceptive inputs from the head and body, regulating muscle tone.

Neocerebellum

The largest and newest subdivision of the cerebellum, associated with muscle coordination of phasic movements and receiving inputs from the neocortex of the cerebrum.

Cerebellar peduncles

Fiber bundles that connect the cerebellum with the midbrain, pons, and medulla, including the superior, middle, and inferior cerebellar peduncles.

Motor cortex

The region of the brain responsible for voluntary movements, which is aided by the cerebellum in integrating and coordinating these movements.

Motor learning

The process of adapting and fine-tuning motor programs through trial and error, with the cerebellum playing a major role in this process.

Cerebrocerebellum

The largest division of the cerebellum involved in planning movements, motor learning, and coordination of muscle activation.

Spinocerebellum

The division of the cerebellum involved in regulating body movements and receiving proprioceptive information for error correction.

Vestibulocerebellum

The division of the cerebellum involved in controlling balance and ocular reflexes, receiving inputs from the vestibular system.

Blood supply

The cerebellum receives blood from three paired arteries:the superior cerebellar artery, anterior inferior cerebellar artery, and posterior inferior cerebellar artery.

Ventricular system

A network of cavities in the brain that contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) produced by the choroid plexus.

Choroid plexus

Specialized tissue within the ventricles that produces CSF.

Ependyma

The lining of the ventricular system and central canal of the spinal cord, connected by tight junctions to form the blood-CSF barrier.

Lateral ventricle

The largest cavity within the cerebral hemispheres, divided into central portions and lateral extensions.

Third ventricle

A small cavity in the center of the diencephalon, continuous with the cerebral aqueduct of Sylvius.

Fourth ventricle

A diamond-shaped cavity located between the brainstem and cerebellum.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain located at the back of the skull, responsible for coordinating movement and balance.

Pons

A structure in the brainstem that helps relay signals between the cerebellum and the rest of the brain.

Medulla

The lowest part of the brainstem, responsible for controlling vital functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Subarachnoid space

The space between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater, filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Foramen of Luschka and Magendie

Openings in the fourth ventricle that allow CSF to flow into the subarachnoid space.

Meninges

The three layers of protective coverings surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Pachymeninx

The outermost layer of the meninges, composed of the dura mater.

Dura mater

The tough and inextensible outermost layer of the meninges, located directly underneath the bones of the skull and vertebral column.

Periosteal layer

The outer layer of the dura mater, lining the inner surface of the bones of the cranium.

Meningeal layer

The inner layer of the dura mater, deep to the periosteal layer inside the cranial cavity.

Dural venous sinuses

Venous channels located between the periosteal and meningeal layers of the dura mater, responsible for draining blood from the brain.

Arachnoid mater

The middle layer of the meninges, located between the dura mater and the pia mater.

Pia mater

The innermost layer of the meninges, tightly adhered to the surface of the brain and spinal cord.

Subarachnoid space

The space between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater, filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Arachnoid granulations

Small projections of the arachnoid mater into the dura mater, allowing CSF to re-enter the circulation via the dural venous sinuses.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Colorless fluid that circulates within the ventricles, central canal of the spinal cord, and subarachnoid space, providing cushioning and support for the brain and spinal cord.

Lumbar puncture

A procedure in which a needle is inserted into the lower back to collect a sample of CSF for analysis.

Hydrocephalus

Pathological accumulation of CSF within the brain spaces, often due to excess production or a blockage in the pathway.

Internal carotid artery

One of the main arteries supplying blood to the brain, originating from the common carotid artery.

Vertebral artery

One of the main arteries supplying blood to the brain, originating from the subclavian artery and entering the skull through the foramen magnum.

Anterior cerebral artery

An artery that supplies the medial and superolateral surfaces of the cerebral hemisphere.

Middle cerebral artery

The largest branch of the internal carotid artery, supplying the entire lateral surface of the cerebral hemisphere except for certain areas.

Posterior cerebral artery

An artery that supplies the inferior portion of the temporal lobe and the occipital lobe.

Epidural space

The potential space between the dura mater and the skull.

Subdural space

The potential space between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater.

Trabeculae

Thin, connective tissue strands that occupy the subarachnoid space.

Haematoma (hematoma)

A collection of blood that can cause a rapid increase in intracranial pressure.

Extradural hematoma

An arterial blood collection between the skull and the periosteal layer of the dura mater.

Subdural hematoma

A venous blood collection between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord.

Choroid plexus

A network of capillaries in the ventricles that produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Arachnoid villi

Small projections of the arachnoid mater that absorb CSF from the subarachnoid space into the venous blood.

Gyri

The ridges or folds on the surface of the brain.

Fissures

The deep grooves or furrows between the gyri on the surface of the brain.

Lumbar puncture

A procedure in which a needle is inserted into the lower back to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis.

Blood-brain barrier

A protective barrier formed by the endothelial cells of the blood vessels in the brain, which restricts the passage of certain substances from the bloodstream into the brain tissue.

Terminates

To come to an end or reach a conclusion.

Transverse sinus

A paired sinus that begins at the internal occipital protuberance and terminates by becoming the sigmoid sinus.

Foramen cecum

A small opening that communicates with the veins of the frontal air sinus and veins of the nose.

Inferior Saggital Sinus

Located at the posterior free border of the falx cerebri and joins the great cerebral vein of Galen to form the straight sinus.

Straight Sinus

A sinus that usually opens into the left transverse sinus.

Transverse Sinus

A paired sinus that is the widest and begins at the internal occipital protuberance. It terminates by becoming the sigmoid sinus.

Tributaries

Veins that drain into a larger vein or sinus.

Superior Petrosal Sinus

A very narrow sinus that begins in the posterior end of the cavernous sinus and runs along the upper border of the petrous temporal bone.

Cavernous Sinus

A short wide channel that lies on the side of the body of the sphenoid bone, extending from the medial end of the superior orbital fissure to the apex of the petrous temporal bone.

Cranial Nerves

The 12 pairs of nerves that emerge directly from the brain.

Cranial Arachnoid

The arachnoid membrane that covers the brain and forms a fold between the cerebellum and medulla.

Subarachnoid Space

The space between the arachnoid and pia mater that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

Cisterns

Deep spaces within the subarachnoid space.

Cranial Pia Mater

The innermost layer of the meninges that closely adheres to the external surface of the brain.

Transverse Cerebellar Fissure

A fissure between the cerebellum and medulla.

Transverse Cerebral Fissure

A fissure between the cerebellum, mesencephalon, diencephalon, and overhanging cerebral hemispheres.

Choroid Plexus

Duplications of the pia mater that spread over the third and fourth ventricles and produce cerebrospinal fluid.

Emissary Veins

Veins that connect veins outside the skull with dural venous sinuses.

Cranial Nerves

The 12 pairs of nerves that emerge directly from the brain.

Olfactory

The first cranial nerve responsible for the sense of smell.

Optic

The second cranial nerve responsible for vision.

Oculomotor

The third cranial nerve responsible for the movement of the extraocular muscles and the constriction of the pupil.

Trochlear

The fourth cranial nerve responsible for the movement of the superior oblique muscle.

Trigeminal

The fifth cranial nerve responsible for sensory innervation of the face and motor innervation of the muscles of mastication.

Abducens

The sixth cranial nerve responsible for the movement of the lateral rectus muscle.

Facial

The seventh cranial nerve responsible for motor innervation of the muscles of facial expression and sensory innervation of taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

Acoustic/Auditory

The eighth cranial nerve responsible for hearing and balance.

Glossopharyngeal

The ninth cranial nerve responsible for motor innervation of the stylopharyngeus muscle and sensory innervation of taste on the posterior one-third of the tongue, the pharynx, carotid sinus, and carotid body.

Vagus

The tenth cranial nerve responsible for sensory and motor innervation of the pharynx, larynx, thoracic and abdominal viscera.

Accessory

The eleventh cranial nerve responsible for the movement of the head and shoulders.

Hypoglossal

The twelfth cranial nerve responsible for the position and movement of the tongue.

Spinal Nerve

A mixed nerve containing axons of both sensory and somatic motor neurons that connects the spinal cord to various body regions.

Plexuses

Networks of nerves that arise from the spinal nerves and innervate specific regions of the body.

Cervical Plexus

A plexus formed by the ventral rami of the first four cervical nerves that innervates the neck and parts of the head and shoulders.

Originate

To come from a specific source or starting point

Innervate

To supply nerves to a specific muscle or organ

Phrenic nerve

The most important branch of the brachial plexus that innervates the diaphragm

Brachial plexus

A network of nerves that supplies the upper limb and shoulder

Axillary nerve

A nerve that innervates the shoulder

Radial nerve

A nerve that innervates the posterior muscles of the arm and forearm

Median nerve

A nerve that innervates the anterior muscles of the forearm and some of the intrinsic muscles of the hand, and skin over the radial side of the hand

Ulnar nerve

A nerve that innervates the anterior forearm muscles and most of the intrinsic muscles of the hand, and the ulnar side of the hand

Obturator nerve

A nerve that supplies the muscles of the medial thigh and skin over the same region