Anatomy of the Brain

Flashcards reviewing the anatomy of the brain. Divided into sections such as the central nervous system, brain regions, ventricles, cerebral hemispheres, cerebral cortex, motor areas, sensory areas, diencephalon, brain stem, cerebellum, limbic system and more.

Neural Tube

The embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord.

Prosencephalon

Also known as the forebrain, this primary brain vesicle.

Mesencephalon

Also known as the midbrain, this is a primary brain vesicle.

Rhombencephalon

Also known as the hindbrain, this a primary brain vesicle.

Telencephalon

The 'end brain' which develops from the forebrain and turns into the cerebrum.

Diencephalon

The 'interbrain' which develops from the forebrain and forms the hypothalamus, thalamus, epithalamus and retina.

Metencephalon

The 'afterbrain' which develops from the hindbrain and forms the brain stem, pons, and cerebellum.

Myelencephalon

The 'spinal brain' which develops from the hindbrain and forms the brain stem and medulla oblongata.

Cerebral Hemispheres

Also known as the cerebrum, these develop from the telencephalon.

Gyri

Elevated ridges of tissue on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres.

Sulci

Shallow grooves seperating gyri.

Fissures

Deep grooves that separate large regions of the brain.

Longitudinal Fissure

The median fissure that separates the cerebral hemispheres.

Transverse Fissure

The fissure that separates the cerebral hemispheres from the cerebellum below.

Precentral Gyrus

Gyrus bordering the central sulcus is the primary motor cortex.

Postcentral Gyrus

Gyrus bordering the central sulcus that is the primary somatosensory cortex.

Parieto-occipital Sulcus

Sulcus located posteriorly; it separates the occipital lobe from the parietal lobe.

Lateral Sulcus

Sulcus that outlines the temporal lobe and separates it from the parietal and frontal lobes.

Insula

Lobe of the brain that is buried deep within the lateral sulcus.

Cerebral Cortex

The superficial layer of gray matter of the cerebral hemispheres.

Basal Nuclei

Gray matter situated deep within the white matter of the cerebral hemispheres.

Motor Cortex

Functional area of the cerebral cortex that controls voluntary movement.

Sensory Areas

Functional area of the cerebral cortex related the conscious awareness of sensation.

Association Areas

Functional area of the cerebral cortex that integrates diverse information for purposeful action.

Broca's Area

The motor speech area, controls language production.

Frontal Eye Field

Brain area that controls voluntary movements of the eyes.

Primary Somatosensory Cortex

Resides in the postcentral gyrus of the brain. Receives information from somatic sensory receptors.

Primary Visual Cortex

Located on the occipital lobe, receives visual information that originates from the retina of the eye.

Visual Association Area

Surrounds the primary visual cortex and uses past visual experiences to interpret visual stimuli.

Auditory Area

Located in the superior margin of the temporal lobe; interprets impulses as pitch, loudness, and location.

Vestibular Cortex

Responsible for conscious awareness of balance; located on the posterior part of the insula.

Olfactory Cortex

Lies on the medial aspect of the temporal lobe; brings awareness of different odors.

Gustatory Cortex

The region in the insula involved in receiving taste stimuli.

Visceral Sensory Area

Involved mainly with visceral sensations such as discomfort and pain.

Prefrontal Cortex

Involved in intellect, complex learning abilities (cognition), recall, and personality.

Cerebral Dominance

Designates the hemisphere dominant for language.

Association Fibers

Connect different parts of the same hemisphere.

Commissural Fibers

Connect corresponding gray areas of the two hemispheres.

Corpus Callosum

Largest commissure, lies superior to the lateral ventricles deep within the longitudinal fissure.

Projection Fibers

Enter the cerebral cortex from lower brain areas or descend from the cortex to lower areas; ties the cortex to the rest of the nervous system.

Basal Nuclei

Deep within the cerebral white matter; primarily involved in the control of movement.

Thalamus

Forms the superolateral walls of the third ventricle; relays information coming into the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Caps the brain stem and forms the inferolateral walls of the third ventricle; the main visceral control center of the body and body homeostasis.

Epithalamus

Most dorsal portion of the diencephalon, forming the roof of the third ventricle.

Brain Stem

Consisting of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata; programmed for automatic behaviors of survival.

Cerebellum

Brain structure that coordinates body movements and occurs subconsciously

Limbic System

Emotional or visceral brain.

Reticular Formation

Composed of loosely clustered neurons and stretches of white matter; filters sensory inputs.

EEG

Electroencephalogram records aspects of brain activity.

Meninges

Three connective tissue membranes that lie external to the CNS; consist of dura matter, arachnoid matter, & pia matter.

CSF

Cerebral fluid that is found in the brain and spinal cord.

Blood Brain Barrier

Protective mechanism that maintains the brains environment.