Human Biology 4.1 Brain

Forebrain

highly developed region of brain

cerebrum, thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus

Midbrain

region that relates information from sensory organs to the forebrain

smallest region of the brain

Midbrain

region just above the spinal cord

medulla oblongata, cerebellum, pons

Meninges

membranes of connective tissue between the skull and the brain

three layers

Dura Mater

outermost layer of meninges

encloses the entire CNS

Arachnoid Mater

fibrous tissue, second layer of meninges

Cerebrospinal Fluid

fluid that circulates CNS and provides cushion to the brain

Pia Mater

meninges layer that directly coats the brain and spinal cord

Blood-Brain Barrier

controls what substances enter the CSF and get access to the brain

makes it difficult to get antibiotics to the CNS

Brainstem

pathway for sensory input and motor skills to be sent to and from the brain

plays a part in maintaining homeostasis

Medulla Oblongata

white matter continuous from the spinal cord, transports sensory and motor information

part of the brainstem

Reticular Formation

region of grey matter responsible for regulating sleep and wakefulness

located within the medulla oblongata

Pons

middle portion of the brain stem, connects to the cerebellum

Tectum

roof of the midbrain

Tegmentum

floor of the midbrain

Cerebral Aqueduct

canal for CSF to flow through the midbrain

Corpora Quadregemina

four bumps located on the tectum, each called a colliculus

Inferior Colliculus

processes auditory sensations

part of the tectum

Superior Colliculus

involuntary reflexive movement of head, neck, and eyes due to visual stimuli

part of the tectum

Cerebellum

receives input from the pons and passes to the cerebrum

coordinates motor and sensory input

Arbor Vitae

branches of white matter through the cerebellum connecting the regions to the brain stem

Cerebrum

portion of the forebrain that processes sensory input by sending back motor input

Corpus Callosum

band of nerves that connects the two hemispheres of the cerebrum

Diencephalon

connects the cerebrum to the rest of the nervous system, except for smell

Thalamus

collection of nuclei that relay information between the cerebral cortex, periphery, spinal cord, and brain stem

decides which stimuli is important and relays information to cerebrum

part of the diencephalon

Hypothalamus

collection of nuclei responsible for homeostasis

executive region of subconscious nervous system

part of the diencephalon

Epithalamus

plays a role in the limbic system and production of CSF

part of the diencephalon

Cerebral Cortex

outer grey matter region of the cerbellum

divided into regions that have many functions

Frontal Lobes

movement, memory, behaviors

part of the cerebral cortex

Pariental Lobes

receiving and processing sensations from the internal organs

part of the cerebral cortex

Occipital Lobes

vision

part of the cerebral cortex

Insula

detecting, identifying, and evaluating tastes

part of the cerebral cortex

Basal Nuclei

compares cortical processing with activity in nervous system and determines likelihood of movement

plays role in suppressing thought about movement

Limbic System

portion of brain responsible for controlling emotions