Anatomy

Brain Stem

has 3 divisions

10 of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves are from the brain stem

Medulla Oblongata

attaches to spinal cord

forms the lowest part

includes control for cardiac and respiratory autonomic functions

Pons

lies above medulla oblongata and midbrain

also composed of white matter ( myelin) and reticular formation

Midbrain

forms the uppermost part of the brain

forms the midsection of the brain

lies above the pons and below the cerebrum

Functions of the Brainstem

perform sensory, motor, and reflex functions

Nuclei in the Medulla

contain a number of reflex centers including cardiac and respiratory centers

ex- vomiting, coughing, sneezing

What does the pons contain?

center for reflexes

The Midbrain, likes the Pons

contains cranial nerve reflexes like eye movement

Structure of the Cerebellum

means “little brain”

2nd largest part of the brain, but has more neurons than all other parts of the nervous system combined

Arbor vitae

internal white matter

also means tree of life

What does the cerebellum consist of

2 large lateral masses

right cerebellar hemisphere + a central section called the vermis

Function of the Cerebellum

1. acts with the cerebral cortex to produce skilled movements by planning and coordinating the activities of muscle groups
2. helps control muscle functions below the conciseness to make movement smooth
3. control skeletal movement to maintain balance
4. coordinate incoming sensory info

Diencephalon

between brain

includes the structure thalamus, hypothalamus, and the pineal glands

Thalamus

responsible for sensations

introduces conscious recognition of the pain, temperature, touch

relays all kinds of sensory impulses except smell

hypothalamus

functions as a higher autonomic center and relay station between the cerebral cortex and lower autonomic centers

make possible mind influence over the body

synthesizes the hormones(arousal) released by pituitary glands

Pineal Gland

respond to **light and dark** and secretes melatonin and regulates circadian rhythmes and sleep-wake cycle

Gray Matter

the darker outer portion

primary composed of neurons, somas, cerebral cortex of cerebrum

White Matter

lighter section underneath

mostly made of axons wrapped in myelin

brain

60% of fat

Spinal nerves

31 pairs of peripheral spinal nerves

merge from the spinal cord through spaces between the vertebrae

blue

frontal lobe

pink

occipital

yellow

pariental

green

temporal

orange

cerebellum

1\.

cerebral cortex

2\.

thalamus

3,

corpus callosum

4\.

hypothalamus

5. \

hippocampus

6\.

pituary gland

7\.

midbrain

8\.

pons

9\.

medulla oblangata

10\.

brainstem

11\.

spinal cord

12. \

cerebellum