Exam Preparation: Key Concepts from Lecture

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the lecture, focusing on announcements related to exams, insights into brain function, and the structure and purpose of the autonomic nervous system.

According to the lecture, how is the brain lateralized with respect to language?

Wernicke's and Broca's areas, which are essential for speech and language, are typically stronger in the left hemisphere.

What does contralateral effect refer to in the context of brain function?

The contralateral effect describes the phenomenon where damage on one side of the brain affects the opposite side of the body.

What is the significance of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

The ANS regulates involuntary body functions, including heart rate and digestion, and maintains homeostasis.

What are the main divisions of the ANS?

The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, known respectively as 'fight or flight' and 'rest and digest.'

How do sympathetic and parasympathetic systems differ in terms of their effects on the body during stress?

The sympathetic system prepares the body for physical activity (fight or flight), while the parasympathetic system promotes resting and digestion.

What neurotransmitters are associated with the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?

Sympathetic uses norepinephrine and epinephrine, while parasympathetic primarily uses acetylcholine.

What is the relationship between cranial nerves and the autonomic nervous system?

Certain cranial nerves are involved in the autonomic functions, especially those originating from the brainstem and sacral region.

What happens during the process of lateralization in brain function?

Certain functions are localized primarily in one hemisphere of the brain, affecting abilities such as language and spatial awareness.

Why are course evaluations pushed by instructors?

Instructors push for evaluations to receive feedback that informs course improvements and reflects their teaching effectiveness to administration.

What does the term 'dual innervation' refer to?

Dual innervation refers to the fact that most organs are innervated by both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers, allowing for opposing responses.

What are the roles of the vagus nerve?

The vagus nerve is crucial for regulating functions of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract in the parasympathetic nervous system.

What is ANS?

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.

What is the significance of (SO4LR6)3?

This mnemonic refers to the cranial nerves that control eye movement: Superior oblique (CN IV), Lateral rectus (CN VI), and the remaining extraocular muscles (CN III).

What are the modalities of cranial nerves?

Cranial nerves can have sensory, motor, or mixed modalities, indicating whether they carry sensory information, motor commands, or both.

How are cranial nerve modalities categorized?

Cranial nerve modalities are categorized into three types: sensory (afferent), motor (efferent), and mixed (both sensory and motor).

Which cranial nerves are primarily involved in sensory functions?

Cranial nerves II (Optic), VII (Facial - sensory), VIII (Vestibulocochlear), IX (Glossopharyngeal - sensory), and X (Vagus - sensory) are primarily sensory.

List the cranial nerves with motor functions.

Cranial nerves III (Oculomotor), IV (Trochlear), VI (Abducens), XI (Accessory), and XII (Hypoglossal) are primarily motor.

Which cranial nerves have both sensory and motor functions?

Cranial nerves V (Trigeminal), VII (Facial), IX (Glossopharyngeal), and X (Vagus) have both sensory and motor functions.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)?

Cranial Nerve I is responsible for the sense of smell.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve II (Optic)?

Cranial Nerve II is responsible for vision.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)?

Cranial Nerve III controls most of the eye's movements, including constriction of the pupil and maintaining an open eyelid.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve IV (Trochlear)?

Cranial Nerve IV innervates the superior oblique muscle, aiding in eye movement downwards and laterally.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)?

Cranial Nerve V is responsible for facial sensation and motor functions such as chewing.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve VI (Abducens)?

Cranial Nerve VI controls the lateral rectus muscle, allowing for lateral eye movement.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)?

Cranial Nerve VII controls facial expressions, as well as taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear)?

Cranial Nerve VIII is responsible for hearing and balance.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)?

Cranial Nerve IX has functions in taste (posterior one-third of the tongue), swallowing, and is involved in the gag reflex.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)?

Cranial Nerve X controls autonomic functions such as heart rate, digestion, and reflex actions like coughing.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve XI (Accessory)?

Cranial Nerve XI innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, controlling head movement and shoulder elevation.

What is the function of Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)?

Cranial Nerve XII controls tongue movements essential for speech and swallowing.

What is the function of the outer ear (pinna)?

The outer ear collects sound waves and funnels them into the ear canal.

What is the role of the tympanic membrane (eardrum)?

The tympanic membrane vibrates in response to sound waves, converting them into mechanical energy.

What is the function of the three ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes)?

The ossicles amplify and transmit sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear.

What does the cochlea do?

The cochlea converts mechanical vibrations into electrical signals, initiating the process of hearing.

What is the function of the semicircular canals?

The semicircular canals help maintain balance by detecting rotational movements of the head.

What is the role of the optic nerve?

The optic nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.

What is the function of the cornea?

The cornea refracts light and provides most of the eye's optical power.

What is the function of the lens?

The lens adjusts its shape to focus light onto the retina for clear vision at different distances.

What is the role of the iris?

The iris regulates the size of the pupil and, accordingly, the amount of light entering the eye.

What is the function of the retina?

The retina contains light-sensitive cells (rods and cones) that convert light into neural signals.

What does the sclera do?

The sclera provides structural support and protection for the eye.

What is the function of the vitreous body?

The vitreous body maintains the shape of the eye and provides a medium for light to pass through to the retina.

Identify the structure that collects sound waves in the ear.

Pinna (outer ear)

What structure vibrates in response to sound waves in the ear?

Tympanic membrane (eardrum)

Name the three small bones in the middle ear that transmit sound vibrations.

Malleus, Incus, Stapes (ossicles)

Which part of the ear converts mechanical vibrations into electrical signals?

Cochlea

Identify the structures responsible for balance in the inner ear.

Semicircular canals

What is the transparent front part of the eye that helps to focus light?

Cornea

Identify the part of the eye that adjusts its shape to focus light onto the retina.

Lens

What structure regulates the amount of light entering the eye?

Iris

Name the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that contains rods and cones.

Retina

Identify the white, outer layer of the eyeball that provides structure.

Sclera

What is the gel-like substance that fills the eye and helps maintain its shape?

Vitreous body

What is the function of the Eustachian tube in the ear?

The Eustachian tube equalizes pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere.

How does sound localization occur?

Sound localization occurs through the brain's ability to interpret differences in the time and intensity of sound arriving at each ear.

What is the role of hair cells in the cochlea?

Hair cells transduce mechanical vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve.

What mechanism allows the lens to change shape?

The ciliary muscles contract or relax to adjust the tension on the zonules, allowing the lens to change shape for focusing.

What is the process called when rods and cones convert light into electrical signals?

Phototransduction.

What is the role of the anterior chamber of the eye?

The anterior chamber contains aqueous humor, which maintains intraocular pressure and provides nutrients to the eye's avascular structures.

How is balance maintained through the vestibular system?

The vestibular system detects head movement and position through the semicircular canals and otolith organs, sending signals to the brain to maintain balance.

What is the physiological significance of the fovea in the retina?

The fovea has a high density of cones, providing the sharpest vision and color perception.

What happens during the process of sound amplification in the middle ear?

The ossicles leverage the sound pressure from the tympanic membrane to increase the force delivered to the oval window of the cochlea.

How does the brain interpret visual signals?

Visual signals from the retina are processed in the visual cortex of the brain where they are interpreted to form visual perception.

What are semicircular canals?

Semicircular canals are three fluid-filled structures in the inner ear that help detect rotational movement.

Identify the three types of semicircular canals.

Posterior, Lateral (horizontal), and Anterior (superior) semicircular canals.

What role do otoliths play in the semicircular canals?

Otoliths, located in the utricle and saccule, help detect linear acceleration and gravitational forces.

How does endolymph function in the semicircular canals?

Endolymph is the fluid within the canals that moves in response to head rotation, causing hair cells to bend and initiate signaling.

What is the ampulla in relation to the semicircular canals?

The ampulla is a bulbous structure at the base of each semicircular canal containing hair cells that detect changes in movement.

What is the physiological role of the vestibular system involving the semicircular canals?

The vestibular system maintains balance and spatial orientation by processing signals from the semicircular canals about head movements.

Identify the connection between vestibular signals and ocular movements.

The vestibulo-ocular reflex coordinates eye movements to stabilize vision while the head is moving.

What condition can result from dysfunction in the semicircular canals?

Dizziness or vertigo can result from problems with the semicircular canals.

What is sensory integration in the context of the semicircular canals?

Sensory integration refers to the brain's ability to combine information from the semicircular canals, vision, and proprioception to maintain balance.

What is the function of the cerebrum?

The cerebrum is responsible for higher brain functions, including thought, action, and sensory processing.

Identify the part of the brain associated with balance and coordination.

Cerebellum.

What is the role of the brainstem?

The brainstem controls basic life functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

What is the function of the thalamus?

The thalamus acts as the relay station for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

Identify the structure that regulates homeostasis and is linked to the endocrine system.

Hypothalamus.

What is the role of the hippocampus in the brain?

The hippocampus is involved in the formation of new memories and spatial navigation.

Identify the part of the brain that processes visual information.

Occipital lobe.

What is the function of the amygdala?

The amygdala is involved in emotional processing and the regulation of fear and pleasure responses.

What is the role of the corpus callosum?

The corpus callosum connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication between them.

How does the prefrontal cortex contribute to behavior?

The prefrontal cortex is involved in decision-making, social behavior, and personality expression.

What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?

The frontal lobe is responsible for reasoning, planning, problem-solving, and controlling behavior and emotions.

What functions are associated with the parietal lobe?

The parietal lobe processes sensory information related to touch, temperature, pain, and spatial awareness.

Identify the primary functions of the temporal lobe.

The temporal lobe is involved in auditory processing, memory formation, and the interpretation of complex visual information.

What is the function of the occipital lobe?

The occipital lobe is primarily responsible for the processing of visual information.

How do the frontal and parietal lobes interact during movement?

The frontal lobe plans voluntary movements while the parietal lobe integrates sensory feedback to guide those movements.

What role does the temporal lobe play in language?

The temporal lobe is critical for language comprehension and the processing of auditory stimuli.

How does the occipital lobe contribute to visual perception?

The occipital lobe interprets visual stimuli and integrates visual information from both eyes to create a coherent image.

What higher-level cognitive processes are managed by the frontal lobe?

The frontal lobe manages higher-level cognitive processes such as executive functions, attention, and impulse control.