Functional Neuroscience & Neuroanatomy – Mid-Term Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, structures, pathways, developmental processes, and clinical concepts presented in the lecture notes. Use these cards to reinforce definitions and functional understanding in preparation for the mid-term exam.

Neurology

Branch of neuroscience that diagnoses and treats diseases disrupting the structural and physiological properties of the nervous system.

Neurosurgery

Surgical specialty that repairs or removes malfunctioning brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerve structures.

Neuroanatomy

Study of the structural framework of the nervous system, identifying parts and their connections.

Neuroradiology

Field that uses imaging (MRI, CT, etc.) to distinguish normal from pathological CNS tissue.

Neuroembryology

Study of the origin and development of the nervous system in the embryo.

Neurophysiology

Science of the chemical, electrical, and metabolic functions of the nervous system.

Neuropathology

Discipline examining nervous-system tissue to determine disease characteristics and origins.

Frontal Lobe

Most anterior cerebral lobe; houses primary motor cortex, premotor areas, Broca’s area, and prefrontal cortex.

Primary Motor Cortex

Area in the precentral gyrus (BA 4) executing voluntary movement via the motor homunculus.

Broca’s Area

Region in the inferior frontal gyrus (usually left) crucial for speech production.

Premotor Cortex

Frontal-lobe area that initiates and plans movement sequences.

Supplementary Motor Area

Medial frontal region producing complex postures and patterned movements.

Prefrontal Cortex

Frontal association area governing planning, working memory, and behavioral inhibition.

Parietal Lobe

Cerebral lobe posterior to central sulcus; processes somatosensory input and multimodal integration.

Primary Sensory Cortex

Postcentral-gyrus area (BA 1-3) receiving tactile and proprioceptive information.

Angular Gyrus

Parietal BA 39 critical for reading comprehension and complex language.

Supramarginal Gyrus

Parietal BA 40 supporting phonological processing.

Temporal Lobe

Lobe inferior to the lateral fissure housing auditory and memory structures.

Primary Auditory Cortex

Heschl’s gyrus (BA 41-42) that processes sound information.

Wernicke’s Area

Left superior temporal region responsible for language comprehension.

Hippocampus

Medial temporal structure essential for memory formation and learning.

Amygdala

Nucleus beneath the uncus controlling fear, rage, and drive-related behavior.

Occipital Lobe

Posterior brain region devoted to visual processing.

Primary Visual Cortex

BA 17 around the calcarine sulcus; first cortical recipient of visual input.

Visual Association Cortex

BA 18-19 surrounding BA 17; processes complex aspects of vision.

Insular Lobe

Deep cortical area in the lateral fissure involved in self-awareness and autonomic functions.

Limbic Lobe

Medial cortical ring regulating emotion, memory, and motivation.

Cingulate Gyrus

Limbic cortex above the corpus callosum involved in emotional regulation.

Septal Area

Limbic region connecting hippocampus and hypothalamus; processes autonomic and motivational functions.

Basal Ganglia

Subcortical nuclei (caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, etc.) that modulate voluntary movement.

Direct Basal-Ganglia Pathway

Circuit that facilitates initiation of movement.

Indirect Basal-Ganglia Pathway

Circuit that suppresses extraneous movement.

Substantia Nigra

Midbrain nucleus producing dopamine for basal-ganglia modulation.

Superior Colliculus

Midbrain tectal body mediating visual reflexes and eye tracking.

Inferior Colliculus

Midbrain tectal body relaying auditory information to the thalamus.

Pons

Brain-stem bridge between cerebrum and cerebellum; regulates breathing rhythm.

Medulla Oblongata

Lowest brain-stem segment containing autonomic centers and the pyramidal decussation.

Reticular Formation

Brain-stem network regulating cortical arousal, consciousness, and reflexive swallowing.

Corpus Callosum

Largest commissural fiber bundle enabling interhemispheric communication.

Longitudinal Fissure

Deep groove separating left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Central Sulcus

Sulcus dividing frontal and parietal lobes; separates pre- and postcentral gyri.

Motor Homunculus

Topographic map of body muscles on the primary motor cortex.

Sensory Homunculus

Topographic map of body sensations on the primary sensory cortex.

Neuroplasticity

Brain’s capacity to reorganize structure and function in learning or after injury.

Rostral

Directional term meaning toward the nose or frontal pole.

Caudal

Directional term meaning toward the tail or posterior brain.

Dorsal

Directional term meaning toward the back or top of the brain.

Ventral

Directional term meaning toward the belly or base of the brain.

Sagittal Plane

Anatomical plane dividing left and right portions.

Coronal Plane

Plane dividing anterior and posterior parts of the body or brain.

Horizontal Plane

Plane dividing superior and inferior parts of the body or brain.

Ipsilateral

Located on the same side of the body or brain.

Contralateral

Located on the opposite side of the body or brain.

Tremor

Involuntary rhythmic movement of a body part.

Bradykinesia

Slowness of voluntary movement.

Dystonia

Sustained or repetitive muscle contractions causing abnormal postures.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four limbs.

Afferent Pathway

Neural route carrying sensory information toward the CNS.

Efferent Pathway

Neural route carrying motor commands away from the CNS.

Central Nervous System

Brain and spinal cord, integrating and coordinating all information.

Peripheral Nervous System

Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and autonomic divisions connecting CNS to the body.

Gray Matter

CNS regions rich in neuron cell bodies and synapses; site of processing.

White Matter

Myelinated axon tracts transmitting signals rapidly across regions.

Gyrus

Raised ridge on the cerebral cortex increasing surface area.

Sulcus

Groove between gyri on the brain surface.

Falx Cerebri

Dural fold that descends in the longitudinal fissure between cerebral hemispheres.

Tentorium Cerebelli

Horizontal dural fold separating cerebellum from inferior occipital lobes.

Meninges

Three protective membranes—dura, arachnoid, pia—surrounding brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear fluid cushioning the CNS, produced by the choroid plexus.

Choroid Plexus

Specialized ependymal tissue within ventricles that secretes CSF.

Brodmann Areas

Cytoarchitectural map dividing cortex into functionally related regions.

Anencephaly

Developmental failure of anterior neural-tube closure leading to absent cerebral hemispheres.

Spina Bifida

Neural-tube defect with vertebral arch gaps and potential spinal cord exposure.

Hydrocephalus

Excess CSF accumulation enlarging ventricles and raising intracranial pressure.

Neural Crest

Embryonic cell population giving rise to PNS ganglia and other structures.

Morula

Solid ball of 12-16 blastomeres formed three days after fertilization.

Blastocyst

Early embryonic structure with fluid cavity that implants into the uterus.

Ectoderm

Outer germ layer forming nervous system and skin.

Myelination

Process of forming myelin sheaths around axons to speed conduction.

Neuron

Excitable cell consisting of dendrites, soma, and axon transmitting electrical signals.

Dendrite

Neuron process receiving impulses toward the cell body.

Axon

Long neuronal projection conducting impulses away from the soma.

Node of Ranvier

Gap in myelin sheath enabling saltatory conduction.

Action Potential

All-or-none electrical signal generated by rapid depolarization and repolarization of a neuron membrane.

Synapse

Junction where a neuron communicates with another cell via neurotransmitter release.

Astrocyte

Star-shaped glial cell providing metabolic support and forming the blood-brain barrier.

Oligodendrocyte

CNS glial cell that myelinates multiple axons.

Schwann Cell

PNS glial cell that myelinates a single axon segment.

Microglia

Phagocytic glial cells that remove debris and mediate immune responses in CNS.

Ependymal Cell

Glial cell lining ventricles and central canal; helps produce and circulate CSF.

Glutamate

Principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS.

GABA

Main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter produced in substantia nigra; regulates movement and reward.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter from locus coeruleus influencing vigilance and sympathetic responses.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter from raphe nuclei modulating mood, sleep, and pain.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junctions and in basal forebrain memory circuits.

Corticospinal Tract

Direct motor pathway from cortex to spinal LMNs; decussates at the pyramidal decussation.

Corticobulbar Tract

Direct pathway from cortex to brain-stem cranial-nerve nuclei controlling face and head muscles.

Pyramidal Decussation

Medullary crossover point where most corticospinal fibers switch sides.

Medial Lemniscal System

Ascending pathway conveying discriminative touch and proprioception; crosses in brainstem.