W3 | Hypothalamus, Limbic System, ANS, and Basal Ganglia

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing core terms and definitions from the lecture material on the hypothalamus, limbic system, autonomic nervous system, and basal ganglia.

Magnocellular Secretory Cells

Large neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus that project directly to the posterior pituitary to release oxytocin and vasopressin.

Parvicellular Neurons

Small neurosecretory neurons in the hypothalamus that secrete releasing and inhibiting factors into the hypophyseal portal system to control the anterior pituitary.

Oxytocin

A hypothalamic neurohormone stored in the posterior pituitary that promotes uterine contractions during labor, milk let-down during lactation, and social bonding.

Vasopressin (ADH)

An antidiuretic hormone produced by hypothalamic magnocellular cells that acts on kidney tubules to regulate blood volume and salt concentration.

Klüver-Bucy Syndrome

A condition resulting from bilateral destruction of the amygdaloid complex, characterized by visual agnosia, hyperorality, hypermetamorphosis, placidity, hyperphagia, and hypersexuality.

Edinger-Westphal Nucleus

A parasympathetic cranial nucleus in the midbrain associated with $CN\,III$ that supplies preganglionic fibers to the ciliary ganglion for pupillary constriction and accommodation.

Superior Salivatory Nucleus

A parasympathetic cranial nucleus associated with $CN\,VII$ that provides preganglionic innervation to the lacrimal, nasal, submandibular, and sublingual glands.

Inferior Salivatory Nucleus

A parasympathetic cranial nucleus associated with $CN\,IX$ that projects preganglionic fibers to the otic ganglion to stimulate parotid gland secretion.

Dorsal Motor Nucleus of the Vagus Nerve

A parasympathetic nucleus in the medulla associated with $CN\,X$ that provides preganglionic innervation to thoracic and abdominal visceral organs.

Myenteric (Auerbach's) Plexus

An intrinsic nerve plexus of the enteric nervous system located between the muscle layers of the gut wall that primarily controls gastrointestinal motility.

Meissner's (Submucous) Plexus

An intrinsic nerve plexus of the enteric nervous system located in the submucosa that regulates gastrointestinal mucosal secretions and blood flow.

Striatum (Neostriatum)

The principal input region of the basal ganglia, composed of the caudate nucleus and the putamen.

Corpus Striatum

An anatomical grouping of subcortical basal ganglia nuclei consisting of the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus.

Lentiform Nucleus

A subcortical nuclear mass of the basal ganglia comprising the putamen and the globus pallidus.

Direct Pathway

A basal ganglia motor circuit projecting directly from the striatum to internal output nuclei ($GPi$/$SNr$), which disinhibits the thalamus and promotes movement.

Indirect Pathway

A basal ganglia motor circuit routing through the external globus pallidus ($GPe$) and subthalamic nucleus ($STN$) to increase inhibition on the thalamus, suppressing movement.

Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ($SNc$)

An intrinsic basal ganglia structure in the midbrain containing dopaminergic neurons whose degeneration leads to Parkinson's disease.

Celiac Ganglion

A prevertebral sympathetic ganglion located anterior to the aorta that provides postganglionic sympathetic innervation to foregut derivatives.

Superior Mesenteric Ganglion

A prevertebral sympathetic ganglion that provides postganglionic sympathetic innervation to midgut derivatives.

Inferior Mesenteric Ganglion

A prevertebral sympathetic ganglion that provides postganglionic sympathetic innervation to hindgut derivatives.

Hemiballism

A hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by involuntary, violent flinging movements of the limbs resulting from damage to the subthalamic nucleus.

Anterograde Amnesia

The inability to form new declarative or explicit memories following damage to the hippocampal formation.