the CNS & associated nerves

the protective layer around brain & spinal cord

meninges (has CSF)

- the outer brain has unmylinated nerves & many cell bodies

- inner spinal cord

- used for PROCESSING

gray matter

- the tracts/paths of myleinated axons in myleinated nerves

- white color

- inner brain & outer spinal cord

white matter

many cell bodies grouped together (especially just outside of spinal cord)

ganglion

- large axon bundles (fascicles)

- looks like telephone cable

- each individual wire is an axon

- mylein/schwann repair & insulate

nerves

the central nervous system

brain, 2500 connections at birth, and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

sense organs, 12 pair cranial nerves, 31 pair spinal nerves

the 4 brain regions (adult)

1) cerebral hemispheres

2) diencephalon (hypo, thal, epi)

3) brain stem

4) cerebellum

ridges in the cerebrum

gyri

valleys that are deep in the cerebrum

sulci

deep grooves in cerebrum

fissures

parieto-occipital sulcus

separates parietal and occipital lobes

5 lobes of the brain

frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, insula

ventricles are empty brain space with....

CSF, connect each other to spinal cord

1st & 2nd: lateral pairs

3rd: diencephalon

4th: hindbrain

the bone, meninges, CSF, blood/brain barrier all....

protect the brain

What are the three layers of the meninges?

Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater

What is the strongest layer of the meninges?

Dura mater

How many layers does the dura mater have?

Two layers

What is the middle layer of the meninges called?

Arachnoid mater

What does the arachnoid mater contain?

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood vessels

What is the thin surface cover of the meninges?

Pia mater

What is CSF?

Cerebrospinal fluid

What is the composition of CSF?

A water solution formed in blood plasma

What is the volume characteristic of CSF?

It has a constant volume

What is one function of CSF?

It protects the CNS from trauma

How does CSF contribute to brain function?

It nourishes the brain and carries chemical signals

Where is CSF produced?

In the ventricles of the brain

Which cells control the production and cleaning of CSF?

Ependymal cells

What is the primary function of the blood/brain barrier?

To maintain a stable environment and separate neurons from blood borne substances.

What is the composition of the blood/brain barrier?

Endothelium of capillary walls, thick basal lamina around capillaries, and feet of astrocytes.

What types of substances are allowed to pass through the blood/brain barrier?

Nutrients and fat soluble substances like alcohol, nicotine, and anesthetics.

What types of substances are denied passage through the blood/brain barrier?

Metabolic waste, proteins, toxins, and drugs.

the cerebral cortex is what....

makes humans, humans!

What is the thickness of the cerebral cortex?

2-4 mm

What percentage of the brain's mass does the cerebral cortex comprise?

40%

What functions are associated with the conscious mind in the cerebral cortex?

Awareness, perception, voluntary movement, communication, understanding

What are the three functional areas of the cerebral cortex?

Motor, sensory, association

where are the motor areas in the brain

frontal lobe cut through the middle area

Which side of the body does each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex concern itself with?

Contralateral side

What is the function of the sensory areas of the cerebral cortex?

Conscious awareness of sensation

What is the primary sensory cortex responsible for?

Body sensation

What does the sensory association cortex do?

Integrates senses like size and texture

What is the function of the visual association area?

Processes visual information

What is the function of the auditory area in the sensory cortex?

Processes sound (hearing)

What is the role of the vestibular area in the sensory cortex?

Maintains balance

What does the olfactory area in the sensory cortex process?

Smell

What is the function of the gustatory area in the sensory cortex?

Taste

What does the visceral area in the sensory cortex relate to?

Gut sensations

What do association areas of the cerebral cortex receive?

Sensory information

What do association areas of the cerebral cortex send?

Information to other brain areas

What do association areas of the cerebral cortex give meaning to?

Sensory information

What functions do association areas of the cerebral cortex store?

Memories, relationships, emotions, decision making

What is the function of the anterior area (Broca's area) in the frontal lobe?

Personality, reasoning, intellect, understanding

What is the function of the posterior area (Wernicke's area)?

Patterns and language

What does the limbic area of the cerebral cortex deal with?

Emotions and memories

lateralization/division of labor in the brain

basal ganglia, diencephalon, brain stem

left brain vs. right brain

L: language, math, logic

R: visual-spatial, intuition, emotion, artistic, musical skills

inner-hemispheric communication

through fiber tracts with mylienated fibers

the basal ganglia

- promotes and limits movement

- influences muscle movements, filters incorrect responses

- problems in association to include tourettes or parkinsons

What structures are included in the diencephalon?

Thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus

What is the position of the thalamus in the diencephalon?

It is at the top/most part of the diencephalon.

What is located below the thalamus in the diencephalon?

Hypothalamus

What connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland?

Infundibulum

What structure is located towards the back of the diencephalon?

Pineal body (part of the epithalamus)

What does the diencephalon surround?

The third ventricle

What part of the brain controls the nervous system?

Hypothalamus

What system is the hypothalamus a part of?

Endocrine system

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, pupil size

What is the hypothalamus's role in emotional responses?

It is involved in the physical response to emotions through the limbic system.

What does the hypothalamus regulate to maintain balance in the body?

Homeostasis

What rhythm does the hypothalamus control?

Circadian rhythm

What nucleus in the hypothalamus inputs light from the eyes?

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

the epithalamus

secretes melatonin for sleep/wake cycles

What are the three regions of the brain stem?

Midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata

What functions are associated with the midbrain?

Visual and auditory centers with colliculi

What is the role of the pons?

Relay between motor cortex and cerebellum, regulates breathing rhythm

What does the medulla oblongata control?

Heart rate, blood pressure, and autonomic reflexes (sneeze, puke, cough)

What similarities does the brain stem have with the spinal cord?

It has many nuclei and regions with similarities to the spinal cord

What is a key characteristic of the brain stem in similarity to cranial nerves?

It contains many cranial nerves

What type of behaviors does the brain stem control?

Automatic behaviors

What percentage of brain mass does the cerebellum constitute?

11%

What is the function of proprioception?

Knowledge of body location and position

What is the arbor vitae?

The tree pattern of white matter in the cerebellum

What sensory inputs inform the cerebellum about body position?

Vision and equilibrium

What is one of the main functions of the cerebellum?

Coordinates muscle contractions

What is the limbic system often referred to as?

The emotional brain

Which part of the limbic system is responsible for regulating hormones and basic bodily functions?

Hypothalamus

Which part of the limbic system acts as a relay station for sensory information?

Thalamus

Which part of the brain is involved in decision making and impulse control within the limbic system?

Frontal lobe

Which structure in the limbic system is crucial for processing emotions and fear?

Amygdala

Which part of the limbic system is essential for the sense of smell?

Olfactory bulb

Which structure in the limbic system is vital for memory formation?

Hippocampus

functions of limbic system include

recognizing expressions, assessing danger, resolving conflict, and understanding emotions

reticular formation (RAS) reticular activating system

responsible for keeping on or shutting of awareness

What is the function of the reticular formation?

Keeps the cerebral cortex alert.

What does the reticular formation filter?

Repetitive, weak, or familiar stimuli.

What inhibits the reticular formation?

Sleep centers, alcohol, or drugs.

What can result from an injury to the reticular formation?

A coma.

Where is the reticular formation located?

In the midbrain.

What is the typical capacity of short-term memory?

7-8 pieces