BIOL 252L Lab 2 Column 3

medullary pyramids

• large ridges on the anterior surface of the medulla oblongata

• contain the descending corticospinal tracts which contain axons directing voluntary movements of the body

arbor vitae

inner white matter of the cerebellum that exhibits a distinct tree-like branching pattern

vermis

• midline lobe at the center of the cerebellum

• connects the two cerebellar hemispheres

limbic system

• multi regional brain system

• includes parts of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus

• structures coordinate to recognize social cues like facial expressions and elicit emotions and memory

reticular formation

• multi regional brain system

• responsible for limiting sensory information from reaching your conscious mind

olfactory nerves

• cranial nerve I

• sensory function only

• responsible for carrying signals from the olfactory epithelium to the brain

• series of small nerves that pass from the olfactory epithelium to the olfactory bulbs in the cranial cavity

olfactory bulbs

• structure found in the cranial cavity associated with CN I the olfactory nerves

• sends signal from olfactory nerves to olfactory tracts

olfactory tracts

carries signals from the olfactory bulbs to the olfactory cortex in the temporal lobe of the cerebrum

optic nerves

• cranial nerve II

• carry information from the retina of the eye to the brain

• sensory function only - visual

optic chiasm

cross shaped junction just in front of the hypothalamus where the two optic nerves meet

optic tracts

some neurons continue past the optic chiasm to the optic tracts

vestibulocochlear nerves

• cranial nerve VIII

• carry sensory information from the vestibule and the cochlea of the inner ear

• sensory function only - hearing and balance/equilibrium of ears

oculomotor nerves

• cranial nerve III

• innervates the muscles that move the eye

• motor function only

trochlear nerves

• cranial nerve IV

• innervates the muscles that move the eye

• motor function only

abducens nerves

• cranial nerve VI

• innervates the muscles that move the eye

• motor function only

trigeminal nerves

• cranial nerve V

• both motor and sensory function

• supplies motor innervation to the chewing muscles

• carries sensory information from the face, oral cavity, and nasal cavity

• considered the great sensory nerve of the head

facial nerves

• cranial nerve VII

• both motor and sensory function

• supplies innervation to the facial expression muscles

• carries sensory information from the taste buds on the anterior 2/3 of the tongue

glossopharyngeal nerves

• cranial nerve IX

• both motor and sensory function

• innervates the muscles of the pharynx which are involved in swallowing

• carries sensory information from the taste buds on the posterior 1/3 of the tongue

vagus nerves

• cranial nerve X

• both motor and sensory function

• provides motor innervation to and carries sensory information from several visceral organs of the body

• not restrained to the head and neck

spinal accessory nerves

• cranial nerve XI

• motor function only

• provides motor innervation to the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles of the neck

hypoglossal nerve

• cranial nerve XII

• motor function only

• innervates the muscles of the tongue that allow the tongue to change shape and move around the oral cavity