Neuroanatomy Midterm Study Guide

What structure is the principle component of a family of subcortical circuits linking the thalamus with the cerebral cortex?

basal ganglia

What are some functions of the basal nuclei?

initiation of voluntary movement, coordination of learned movement patterns, subconscious control of skeletal muscle tone, participation in cognitive functions mood, and non-motor behavior

What are the main structures of the basal ganglia?

caudate nucelus, putamen, substantia nigra, STN, globus pallidus

What does substantia nigra mean? 

black substance 

What structures make up the striatum?

caudate nucelus, putamen

What is the major input nucleus to the basal ganglia?

striatum

What structures make up the lentiform nucleus? 

globus pallidus and putamen

What structure forms part of the wall of the lateral ventricle? 

internal capsule

What are the two subdivisions of the globus pallidus?

globus pallidus internal and external pallidial segments

Which structure inhibits the thalamus?

internal pallidial segment (globus pallidus)

What is the only component of the basal ganglia that sends excitatory output?

STN (Subthalamic nucleus)

What are the two components of the substantia nigra?

pars compacta and pars reticularis

What kinds of neurons are found in the pars compacta? 

dopaminergic

What kinds of neurons are found in the pars reticularis? 

GABA-ergic

What disorder is characterized by supersensitivity?

tardive dyskinesia

What structure in the brain do cocaine and meth selectively bind to?

striatum

What are the motor areas of the cortex?

precentral gyrus and primary motor cortex

The size of the cortical representation for a specific body part is proportional to the _________  of the movements performed by that particular body part. 

complexity 

The activity of the motor cortex and brain stem is influenced by which two structures?

basal ganglia and cerebellum

At the level of the lower medulla oblongata, most of the corticospinal axons cross over to what side? 

contralateral side

What functions are carried out in the flocculondular lobe and what signals do they recieve? 

vestibular signals; eye movement, response to changes in gravity, body position

What functions are carried out in the posterior lobe and what signals do they recieve?

afferent; helps coordinate voluntary movement, recieves info from cortex

What functions are carried out in the anterior lobe and what signals do they recieve?

afferent; adjustments in posture, recieves info from spinal cord

At the level of the lower medulla oblongata, most of the corticospinal axons cross over to the contralateral sideand then continue their descent through the brainstem and spinal cord as the……

lateral corticospinal tract

The CST axons that do not cross at the medulla level continue their travel down the spinal cord as the….

ventral corticospinal tract

Where does the disease Alzheimer’s start?

hippocampus 

During inspiration, the diaphragm______

ascends

The internal carotid arteries split into which arteries?

anterior and middle cerebral arteries

Cranial nerve XII is also called __________ and has _______ neurons.

hypoglossal; motor

What drug binds to serotonin receptors and lacks rewarding dopamine effects?

Psilocybin

What are the functions of the orbitofrontal cortex?

associated with more risk taking behaviors

What are the functions of the nucleus accumbens?

plays a major role in reward and addiction, projects back to the prefrontal cortex, Delta Phos V

What are the functions of the amygdaloid complex? 

recieves input from subcortical areas concerned with somatic expression of emotions; also sends output to cortical areas concerned with the cognitive aspects of emotions

What are the functions of the hippocampus?

major role in encoding long-term memories

What are the functions of the anterior cingulate gyrus?

role in empathy, impulse control, emotion, and decision making, helps us manage uncomfortable emotions

What does the medial geniculate nucleus control

auditory

What does the lateral geniculate nucleus control

visual

What does the pulvinar nucleus control

sensory

Which tract links the cerebellum with the pons, brain stem, cerebrum, and spinal cord

middle cerebellar peduncles

Damage to the prefrontal cortex will lead to

inability ro play piano

Excitatory neurons in the basal nuclei when stimulated will cause

increase in muscle tone

What cells maintain but do not create the BBB?

astrocytes

Where can you find choroid plexus?

in ALL ventricles

A stroke occurs when…

Blood flow to a portion of the brain is cut off

The principal venous drainage from the brain ultimately empties into the…

internal jugular veins

Astrocytes help regulate the BBB by:

releasing chemicals that control endothelial permeability

The BBB is primarily formed by

Tight junctions between endothelial cells

The blood-CSF barrier is located in the…

choroid plexus

The blood-CSF barrier is formed by which cells?

ependymal cells

The choroid plexus is responsible for…

maintaining the blood-CSF barrier with ependymal cells

Which structure secretes melatonin and is a break in the BBB?

pineal gland

What are the four sites where the Blood-brain barrier is broken?

hypothalamus, pineal gland, posterior lobe of pituitary gland, choroid plexus 

The brain requires a substantial blood supply. The vessels that deliver blood to the brain are ?

internal carotid artieries and vertebral arteries

The internal carotid artery bifocates into which two arteries?

middle cerebral artery and anterior cerebral artery

Which arteries form the Circle of Willis?

Internal carotid arteries, anterior cerebral arteries, anterior communicating artery, posterior cerebral arteries, and posterior communicating arteries.

Which artery is most often associated with strokes affecting motor and sensory function of the face and upper limb?

middle cerebral artery

Which arties supply the brainstem and cerebellum?

vertebral arteries

Which artery aupplies most of the telencephalon and diencephalon?

internal carotid artery

Blood from the brain is removed from the dural sinuses by which veins?

internal jugular veins

What is the main function of the Circle of Willis?

Provides circulation to maintain blood flow if one artery is blocked

The basilar artery is formed by the union of which arteries?

the vertebral arteries

The anterior and middle cerebral arteries are branches of which artery?

The internal carotid artery

Which arteries supply the brainstem and cerebellum?

Vertebral arteries

What space surrounds the brain and spinal cord and is filled with CSF?

the subarachnoid space

Where is cerebral spinal fluid produced?

in the choroid plexus

How many times per day is CSF replaced?

about 3 times a day

What cells in the choroid plexus secrete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

specialized ependymal cells and capillaries

What is the chain of flow of CSF?

Lateral ventricles, Interventricular foramen, third ventricle, cerebral aqueduct, fourth ventricle

Outline how blood moves in the brain.

Arteries, capillaries, cerebral veins, dural sinuses, peripheral veins

What is the function of the pia mater?

Closely adheres to the brain's surface, following all contours (gyri and sulci). It contains many superficial blood vessels that supply the brain and provides a protective and stabilizing layer for the brain tissue.

What is the function of the Arachnoid Mater?

Covers the brain, forming the outer boundary of the subarachnoid space (which contains CSF). Arachnoid granulations within this layer are responsible for reabsorbing CSF into the bloodstream.

Where can you find the Pia Mater?

“Tender mother” attached to the brain, dips into all grooves of the brain

Where can you find the Arachnoid Mater?

Web-like matrix, form general contour of brain, space between arachnoid and pia is filled with CSF.

Where can you find the Dura Mater?

“Tough Mother” – The outermost, thickest layer. It attaches to the inner surface of the skull and forms folds (dural septa) that subdivide the cranial cavity and limit brain movement, providing protection.

What are the three layers of the Cranial Meninges?

Dura Mater

Arachnoid Mater

Pia Mater

Are continuous with spinal meninges, protect the brain from cranial trauma

Describe what the blood brain barrier is and what it does.

Made up of endothelial cells, blood = endo, form junctions which decrease permeability between cells, protects brain, makes tight junctions

How would you describe a Coronal cut of the brain?

Separates the front of the brain from the back of the brain

How would you describe a Sagittal cut of the brain?

Separates the left side of the brain from the right side of the brain

How would you describe an Axial cut of the brain and what are the other names of this cut?

Separates the top half of the brain from the bottom half of the brain (transverse, cross sectional, horizontal).

What are the 8 major regions of the brain?

Cortex (cerebrum), Limbic system, Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Cerebellum, Midbrain (Mesencephalon), Pons, Medulla oblongata

What is the difference between the human brains and other mammals (mice, etc.)?

1. Humans have a significantly larger and more complex cerebral cortex, particularly the prefrontal cortex, compared to many other mammals.

2. Humans have a greater complexity of connections in the brain.

What functions does the prefrontal cortex regulate?

Personality, insight, foresight, and helps us to understand the consequences of our actions

The ________ ____________nucleus relays information about tone in neck muscles just as the _________ ______________ does for trunk and limb muscles. Both nuclei send impulses mainly to the _______ lateral side of the cerebellum

acessory cuneate; nucleus dorsalis; ipsi

Ipsilateral means same side; contralateral means opposite side. In somesthetic sensory pathways, the axon of the secondary neuron carries the message across to the _______ lateral side of the CNS. In the spinocerebellar pathway, from a given body part all the way to the cerebellum, the peripheral receptors and nerves and the secondary cell bodies and axons all lie mainly on the same or _____ lateral side.

contra; ipsi