Chapter 13 – Brain & Cranial Nerves (Part 2)

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Chapter 13 on the brain and cranial nerves, designed for exam preparation.

Prefrontal Cortex

Involved in planning, judgment, personality, and decision-making; still developing in adolescence.

Wernicke Area

Region responsible for understanding spoken and written language; usually located in the left hemisphere.

White Matter

Bundles of axons in the central nervous system, organized into tracts.

Association Tracts

Tracts that connect regions within the same hemisphere of the brain.

Commissural Tracts

Tracts that connect regions between different hemispheres of the brain.

Corpus Callosum

The major commissural tract that allows communication between the brain's hemispheres.

Projection Tracts

Tracts that connect the cerebral cortex with the brainstem or spinal cord.

Corticospinal Tracts

Tracts that carry voluntary motor commands from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord.

Categorical Hemisphere (Left)

Part of the brain responsible for language, analytical reasoning, and sequential thinking.

Representational Hemisphere (Right)

Part of the brain associated with creativity, imagination, and visuospatial skills.

Basal Nuclei

Structures that regulate motor output and inhibit unwanted movements.

Diencephalon

Brain region that includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus; surrounds the third ventricle.

Epithalamus

Contains the pineal gland which secretes melatonin.

Thalamus

Serves as the sensory relay station (except for smell) and helps filter information.

Hypothalamus

Regulates the autonomic nervous system, endocrine system, and various homeostatic functions like temperature, hunger, and thirst.

Brain Stem

Controls vital reflexes and autonomic functions.

Midbrain

Part of the brain stem that contains cerebral peduncles and substantia nigra.

Substantia Nigra

Region that produces dopamine; degeneration here is associated with Parkinson's disease.

Pons

Structure that regulates breathing rhythm and connects to the cerebellum.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.

Decussation of Pyramids

Point where motor fibers cross to the opposite side of the body.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement, balance, and motor learning.

Arbor Vitae

Tree-like structure of white matter in the cerebellum.