Physiology of NS-LG 3 Cerebral cortex

Flashcards about the Physiology of the Cerebral Cortex.

What is the Cerebrum?

The "seat of intelligence" providing abilities like reading, writing, speaking, and memory.

What are the three main components of the cerebrum?

Outer cerebral cortex, internal cerebral white matter, and gray matter nuclei.

What is the average weight of the cerebrum in males and females?

About 1200 g in females and 1400 g in males.

What is the relationship between brain size and body size/intelligence?

Larger brains are associated with larger bodies, not necessarily greater intelligence.

What is the cerebral cortex?

A region of gray matter forming the outer rim of the cerebrum.

What is the thickness of the cerebral cortex?

2-4 mm thick.

What are cerebral gyri?

Elevated ridges on the cerebral cortex.

What are cerebral sulci?

Grooves separating neighboring cerebral gyri.

What are interlobar sulci?

Grooves separating the lobes of the cerebrum.

What are cerebral fissures?

Grooves separating parts of the brain.

What is the longitudinal cerebral fissure?

Separates the cerebrum into right and left hemispheres.

What is the corpus callosum?

A broad band of white matter connecting the cerebral hemispheres.

What are the four major lobes of the cerebrum?

Frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.

What is the central sulcus?

Separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.

What is the precentral gyrus?

Contains the primary motor cortex.

What is the postcentral gyrus?

Contains the primary somatosensory cortex.

What is the lateral cerebral sulcus?

Separates the frontal lobe from the temporal lobe.

What is the parieto-occipital sulcus?

Separates the parietal lobe from the occipital lobe.

What is the insula?

Lies within the lateral cerebral sulcus, deep to other lobes.

What are the three types of tracts in the cerebral white matter?

Association, commissural, and projection tracts.

What do association tracts do?

Conduct nerve impulses between cerebral gyri in the same hemisphere.

What do commissural tracts do?

Conduct nerve impulses between cerebral gyri in opposite hemispheres.

What are the three important groups of commissural tracts?

Corpus callosum, anterior commissure, and posterior commissure.

What is the corpus callosum's significance?

Largest fiber bundle in the brain.

What do projection tracts do?

Conduct nerve impulses from the cerebrum to lower CNS or vice versa.

What is the internal capsule?

A thick band of white matter with ascending and descending axons.

What is the corpus striatum (basal nuclei)?

Nuclei deep within each cerebral hemisphere.

Why is it called the corpus striatum?

Striated appearance of the internal capsule passing among the nuclei.

Which two nuclei of the corpus striatum lie side by side?

Globus pallidus and putamen.

What is the lentiform nucleus?

Globus pallidus and putamen together.

What are the functions of the corpus striatum?

Helps initiate and terminate movements, suppresses unwanted movements, and regulates muscle tone.

What is a major function of the corpus striatum?

Helps regulate initiation and termination of movements.

What is the role of the putamen?

Activity precedes or anticipates body movements.

What is the role of the caudate nucleus?

Activity occurs prior to eye movements.

What is the role of the globus pallidus?

Helps regulate the muscle tone required for specific body movements.

What are the three main functional areas of the cerebral cortex?

Sensory areas, motor areas, and association areas.

What do sensory areas do?

Receive sensory information and are involved in perception.

What do motor areas do?

Control the execution of voluntary movements.

What do association areas do?

Deal with complex integrative functions like memory and reasoning.

What is the function of the primary motor cortex?

Voluntary muscle movement.

What is the function of the premotor/supplementary motor cortex?

Planning and coordination of movement.

What is the function of the frontal eye field?

Voluntary rapid eye movement.

What is the function of the prefrontal cortex?

Executive functions, behavior, and personality.

What is the function of Broca's area?

Muscles of speech production.

What is the function of the primary somatosensory cortex?

Awareness of somatic sensations.

What is the function of the somatosensory association cortex?

Processing/analyzing somatic sensations.

What is the function of the primary visual cortex?

Awareness of visual stimuli.

What is the function of the visual association cortex?

Process/analyze visual information.

What is the function of Wernicke's area?

Comprehend/understand written & spoken language.

What is the function of the primary auditory cortex?

Awareness of auditory stimuli.