Gross Anatomy of the Head and Neck

Vocabulary flashcards covering the coverings of the brain, brain structures, blood supply, and cranial nerves based on the Gross Anatomy of the Head and Neck lecture.

Meninges

Protective coverings of the CNS that enclose venous sinuses, contain CSF, and form partitions within the skull; consisting of the dura mater, arachnoid layer, and pia mater.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A fluid that measures about $150\,ml$ in adults, contains anions, cations, glucose, lactic acid, proteins, urea, and WBC, and functions to decrease brain weight by about $97\%$, prevent injury, and supply nutrition.

Cerebrum

The part of the brain involved with higher brain functions, processing sensory information, initiating motor functions, and integrating information.

Thalamus

A relay center for sensory tracts from the spinal cord to the cerebrum containing centers for sensations of pain, temperature, and touch, and involved with emotions and arousal mechanisms.

Hypothalamus

The autonomic control center for blood pressure and heart rate; it also regulates body temperature, water balance, sleep/wake cycles, appetite, and endocrine functioning through the pituitary gland.

Pons

A brain structure that connects the two halves of the cerebellum and is responsible for regulating breathing.

Medulla Oblongata

An extension of the spinal cord that contains nerve tracts that cross over and serves as the control center for subconscious activities like respiratory rate, heart rate, swallowing, and sneezing.

Cerebral Arterial Circle (of Willis)

A structure formed by large cerebral arteries and their interconnections on the ventral surface of the brain that serves as a potential vascular shunt for collateral circulation.

Internal Carotid Artery (Parts)

Consists of four parts: cervical (origin to skull base), petrous (within carotid canal), cavernous (within cavernous sinus), and cerebral (from exit of cavernous sinus to terminal division).

Vagus Nerve (CN X)

A cranial nerve arising from the medulla that releases acetylcholine to slow heart and breathing rates.