3. Central Nervous System – Brain & Spinal Cord (Lecture Vocabulary)

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical structures, physiological functions, and protective features of the central nervous system as presented in the lecture.

The 4 major regions :

Cerebrum

Diencephalon

Brain stem

Cerebellum

1. Cerebrum

Largest portion of the brain

Function : important for behavior/consequences/activity

• Made of two halves called cerebral hemispheres / divided by a deep grove call the longitudinal fissure

Left cerebrum controls right side of body

Right cerebrum controls side of body

Cerebral Cortex

Outer gray-matter shell of cerebrum

Gyri & Sulci

Shallow grooves / elevated ridges in brain

Covers cerebrum and cerebellum

Corpse Callosum

Major white-matter tract connecting the two cerebral hemispheres.

Basal Nuclei

responsible for muscle tone/learning movements

Cerebral Lobe Function (5)

Frontal lobe

Primary motor cortex

• complete and abstract thoughts

Parietal lobe

Primary sensory cortex

Integrates all the sensory information in your body

Occipital lobe

Primary visual vision cortex

visual information

Temporal lobe

Hearing & smell (auditory & olfactory) cortex

Limbic system

Responsible for emotions, learning and memory

Insula

Taste (gustotory) cortex

Cavities in cerebrum called

Ventricles

• lateral ventricles, biggest cavity inside cerebrum hemisphere

2. Diencephalon

Made of thalamus and hypothalamus

• enclosed the third ventricles, connected the the fourth ventricles

Thalamus

Area for incoming sensory information before going to the sensory cortex

Hypothalamus

Controls autonomic nervous system

Ex. Heart beat / pupil / blood pressure / endocrine system / regulated thirst & hunger

Pineal Gland

Secrets melatonin ( responsible for sleep/ wake cycle )

Mammillary bodies

Responsible for memories

3. Cerebellum

Posterior, smaller brain region that coordinates skeletal-muscle movement, balance and posture.

4. Brainstem

Stalk-like brain region composed of midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata

Midbrain

• cerebral aqueduct

• cerebral peduncles

• corpora quadrigemina

Pons

Anterior wall of the fourth ventricle; controls rhythm of breathing

Medulla Oblongata

Responsible for reflexes such as heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing, coughing and sneezing.

The brain is protected by :

• Bones

• Menges

• Cerebrospinal fluid

• Harmful substances are shielded from the brain by the blood brain barrier

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Water solution

Surrounds brain and spinal cord

Works as a cushion

Blood-Brain Barrier

protective mechanism that helps maintain a stable environment for the brain

The cortex “grey matter” of the brain is lined with

Neurons cell bodies/soma