Central Nervous System & Brain Anatomy Overview

Vocabulary flashcards covering key brain anatomy, embryology, protective structures, cerebrospinal fluid, clinical conditions, and cranial nerves.

Cerebrum

Largest brain region; contains four lobes and governs higher thought, sensation, and voluntary movement.

Frontal Lobe

Cerebral lobe involved in reasoning, motor control, and speech.

Parietal Lobe

Processes somatic sensory information such as touch and proprioception.

Occipital Lobe

Primary center for visual processing.

Temporal Lobe

Handles hearing, language comprehension, and memory.

Cerebral Cortex

Outermost gray-matter layer of the cerebrum responsible for conscious thought.

Corpus Callosum

Thick bundle of fibers connecting left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movement, posture, and balance.

Diencephalon

Forebrain subdivision containing the thalamus and hypothalamus; persists after birth.

Thalamus

Major relay station for sensory signals; contributes to consciousness.

Hypothalamus

Regulates temperature, hunger, thirst, and sleep cycles; internal thermostat.

Brainstem

Midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata; controls basic life functions.

Midbrain

Brainstem part processing visual and auditory data; maintains consciousness.

Pons

‘Bridge’ linking cerebellum with the brainstem; part of the metencephalon.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls autonomic functions—breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, reflexes.

Gyri

Elevated ridges on the cerebral surface.

Sulci

Shallow grooves between gyri.

Fissures

Deep grooves separating large brain regions.

Longitudinal Fissure

Divides the cerebrum into left and right hemispheres.

Lateral Fissure

Separates temporal lobe from frontal and parietal lobes.

Telencephalon

Anterior secondary brain vesicle.

Metencephalon

Secondary brain vesicle originating from the rhombencephalon.

Myelencephalon

Secondary brain vesicle originating from the rhombencephalon.

Prosencephalon

Primary forebrain vesicle.

Mesencephalon

Primary midbrain vesicle.

Rhombencephalon

Primary hindbrain vesicle.

Neural Tube

Embryonic precursor to the brain and spinal cord; defects can cause microcephaly.

Primary Brain Vesicles

Initial three bulges (prosencephalon, mesencephalon, rhombencephalon) in embryonic brain.

Secondary Brain Vesicles

Five later embryonic divisions, including telencephalon and metencephalon.

Ventricles

Four CSF-filled cavities: two lateral, third, and fourth ventricles.

Choroid Plexus

Capillary network in ventricles that produces cerebrospinal fluid.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear fluid providing nutrition, waste removal, and shock absorption for CNS.

Ependymal Cells

Neuroglia lining ventricles; help synthesize and circulate CSF.

Cranial Meninges

Three protective membranes—dura, arachnoid, pia—continuous with spinal meninges.

Dura Mater

Tough, outermost meningeal layer.

Arachnoid Mater

Spider-web-like middle meningeal layer.

Pia Mater

Delicate innermost meningeal layer adhering to brain surface.

Foramen Magnum

Large skull opening through which meninges extend from brain to spinal cord.

Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

Tight-junction barrier isolating CNS; allows O₂, CO₂, glucose, small alcohols.

Selective Permeability (BBB)

Property allowing passage of small/lipid-soluble molecules while blocking most drugs and pathogens.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

General term for stroke—interruption of brain blood flow.

Aneurysm

Bulging arterial wall that can rupture and cause hemorrhagic stroke.

Ischemic Stroke

Stroke from blocked artery reducing blood flow.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Stroke from ruptured artery causing bleeding in brain.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

‘Mini-stroke’ with temporary blood flow interruption.

Zika Virus

Mosquito-borne pathogen; maternal infection can cause fetal microcephaly.

Microcephaly

Abnormally small brain/skull often linked to neural tube defects or Zika infection.

Olfactory Nerve

I

Optic Nerve

II

Oculomotor Nerve

III

Trochlear Nerve

IV

Trigeminal Nerve

V

Abducens Nerve

VI

Facial Nerve

VII

Vestibulocochlear Nerve

VIII

Glossopharyngeal Nerve

IX

Vagus Nerve

X

Accessory Nerve

XI

Hypoglossal Nerve

XII