Brain

What are the functions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

• Cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord

• Reduces the brain's effective weight

• Provides nutrients and removes wastes

• Allows the brain to float and move safely

Where is CSF located?

• In the four ventricles of the brain

• Central canal of the spinal cord

• Subarachnoid space

3 layers of meniges

1. Dura mater (outer, tough)

2. Arachnoid mater (middle)

3. Pia mater (inner, thin, attached to brain)

Between which meningeal layers is CSF found?

Between the arachnoid mater and pia mater

What are the four ventricles?

• Right lateral ventricle

• Left lateral ventricle

• Third ventricle

• Fourth ventricle

Where are the lateral ventricles located?

One inside each cerebral hemisphere

Where is the third ventricle?

Between the two halves of the diencephalon

Where is the fourth ventricle?

Between the brainstem (pons/medulla) and cerebellum

What is the cerebrum responsible for?

• Conscious thought

• Memory

• Emotion

• Sensory perception

• Voluntary movement

What does the cerebellum do?

• Coordinates muscle movement

• Balance

• Posture

• Motor learning

What are the functions of the midbrain?

• Visual and auditory reflexes

• Eye movement

• Routes sensory information

 What are the functions of the pons?

• Connects cerebrum and cerebellum

• Helps regulate breathing

• Sleep

• Relay center

What does the medulla control?

• Heart rate

• Blood pressure

• Breathing

• Swallowing

What does EEG stand for?

 Electroencephalogram

What does an EEG measure?

Electrical activity of the brain

What brain cells produce EEG signals?

Large groups of pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex.

What are delta waves?

Brain waves (0–4 Hz) associated with deep sleep

Which lobe processes visual information?

Occipital lobe

Which Brodmann areas are the primary visual cortex?

Areas 17 and 18.

Which lobe processes hearing?

Temporal lobe

Which Brodmann areas are the primary auditory cortex?

Areas 41 and 42.

Parietal lobe.

touch, pain, pressure, and body position?

What is gray matter?

Contains neuron cell bodies; responsible for processing information

What is white matter?

Contains myelinated axons; carries signals between brain regions

What is the primary motor cortex?

Located in the precentral gyrus; sends commands for voluntary skeletal muscle movement.

What is the premotor (secondary motor) cortex?

Plans and prepares movements before they occur.

Which structure forms long-term memories?

Hippocampus

Where is short-term memory mainly processed?

Prefrontal cortex

What is Broca's area?

Produces speech and controls muscles involved in speaking

Where is Broca's area located?

Left frontal lobe (most people).

What mnemonic helps remember the cranial nerves?

Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet Ah Heaven

What mnemonic helps remember sensory, motor, or both?

Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter Most

cranial nerves

Q: CN I
A: Olfactory – smell (Sensory)

Q: CN II
A: Optic – vision (Sensory)

Q: CN III
A: Oculomotor – eye movement, pupil constriction (Motor)

Q: CN IV
A: Trochlear – eye movement (Motor)

Q: CN V
A: Trigeminal – facial sensation, chewing (Both)

Q: CN VI
A: Abducens – eye movement (Motor)

Q: CN VII
A: Facial – facial expression, taste anterior 2/3 tongue (Both)

Q: CN VIII
A: Vestibulocochlear – hearing and balance (Sensory)

Q: CN IX
A: Glossopharyngeal – taste posterior 1/3, swallowing (Both)

Q: CN X
A: Vagus – autonomic control, swallowing, voice (Both)

Q: CN XI
A: Accessory – neck and shoulder movement (Motor)

Q: CN XII
A: Hypoglossal – tongue movement (Motor)

What three structures make up the brainstem?

• Midbrain

• Pons

• Medulla oblongata

What are the major functions of the brainstem?

• Controls vital functions

• Cranial nerve connections

• Relays sensory and motor information

What structures make up the hindbrain?

• Pons

• Medulla

• Cerebellum

Main function of the hindbrain?

Basic life functions and coordination

What makes up the midbrain?

Tectum and tegmentum

Main function of the midbrain?

Visual and auditory reflexes.

What makes up the forebrain?

• Cerebrum

• Diencephalon

Main function of the forebrain?

Higher thinking, memory, emotion, sensory integration

What is the arbor vitae?

Tree-like white matter inside the cerebellum

Function of the arbor vitae?

Carries information to and from the cerebellar cortex

What structures make up the diencephalon?

• Thalamus

• Hypothalamus

• Epithalamus

• Mammillary bodies

What are the main functions of the diencephalon?

• Relays sensory information

• Maintains homeostasis

• Controls endocrine and autonomic functions

• Regulates alertness

What is the main function of the thalamus?

Relay station for nearly all sensory information (except smell) going to the cerebral cortex.

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

• Body temperature

• Hunger

• Thirst

• Circadian rhythm

• Autonomic nervous system

• Pituitary gland

• Homeostasis

What is the corpus callosum?

Large bundle of white matter connecting the two cerebral hemispheres.

Function of the corpus callosum?

Allows communication between the left and right hemispheres.

Frontal lobe function?

Motor control, planning, personality, decision-making, speech.

Parietal lobe function?

Touch, pain, temperature, proprioception

Temporal lobe function?

Hearing, language, memory.

Occipital lobe function?

Vision.

What is the limbic system?

Group of structures involved in emotion, memory, motivation, and behavior

Which structures are part of the limbic system?

• Hippocampus

• Amygdala

• Limbic cortex

• Mammillary bodies

Function of the amygdala?

Processes emotions, especially fear and emotional memory.