Central Nervous System Structures

white matter

contains mylienated axons and forms inner region of some areas of the brain and the outer area of the spinal cord

grey matter

contains cell bodies, dendrites, and short, unmylienated axons and is found around the outside areas of the brain and makes up the H-shaped core of the spinal cord

spinal cord

column of nerve tissue that extends out of the skull from the brain and downward through a canal within the backbone

the delicate tissues of the spinal cord are protected by…

cerebrospinal fluid and the spinal column

the spinal cord is protected by the…

meniges and veterebrae

meninges

three layers of touch, elastic tissue within the skull and spinal column that directly enclose the brain and spinal cord

the hindbrain

coordination and homeostasis

the midbrain

processing sensory input

the forebrain

thought, learning, and emotion

cerebellum

walnut-shaped structure below and behind the cerebrum, involved in unconscious coordination of posture, reflexes, body movement and voluntary movement

medulla oblongata

structure that connects the spinal cord with the brain and coordinates many reflexes and automatic bodily functions that maintain homeostasis

pons

serves as a relay centre between neurons of right and left brains of cerebrum

midbrain

found above pons and involved in processing information from sensory neurons in the eyes, ears, and nose, relays visual information between areas of hindbrain and forebrain, and plays importnat role in eye movement

thalamus

“great relay station” that consists of neurons that provide connections between parts of the brain

hypothalamus

helps regulate body’s internal environment and certain aspects of behaviour, contains neurons that control blood pressure, heart rate, body teperature, basic drives, and emotions

cerubrum

largest part of brain divided into right and left cerebral hemispheres (which contain centres for intellect, learning, consciousness, and language) and interprets and controls response to sensory information

blood-brain barrier

protective barrier formed by glial cells and blood vessels that separates the blood from the central nervous system and protects the brain by blocking entrance of harmful substances

cerebrospinal fluid

dense, clear liquid found circulating throughout the spaces within the spinal cord and brain and transports hormones, white blood cells, and nutrients across the blood-brain barrier into the cells of the brain and spinal cord

cerebral cortex

the outer covering of grey matter of the brain and is divided into each cerebral hemisphere, responsible for language, memory, personality, vision, and concious thought

corpus callosum

bundle of white matter that joins the 2 cerebral hemispheres and sends messages from one cerebral hemisphere to another

each hemisphere can be divided into these 4 pairs of lobes…

occipital lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and frontal lobe

occipital lobe

lobe that receives and analyzes visual information and needed for recognition of what is being seen

temporal lobe

lobe that’s main function is auditory reception but also shares in the processing of visual information

parietal lobe

lobe that receives and process sensory information from the skin and helps process information about the body’s position and orientation

frontal lobe

lobe that integrates information from other parts of the brain and controls reasoning, critical thinking, memory, and personality