Neuroanatomy Key Terms

Functions of cerebral cortex

“higher functions”, perception, voluntary movement

Functions of basal nuclei

motor functions

Functions of hippocampus

learning and memory

Function of amygdala

emotion and other limbic functions

Names for groups of neuronal cell bodies in CNS

nucleus, cortex, layer, lamina, stratum

Names for groups of neuronal cell bodies in PNS

ganglion

Names for groups of axons in CNS

tract, fasciculus, lemniscus, funiculus

Names for groups of axons in PNS

nerve, root, ramus

what do the anterior cerebral arteries supply?

medial cerebral cortex, rim of superior cerebral cortex, internal capsule (deep), hypothalamus (deep)

what do the middle cerebral arteries supply?

lateral cerebral cortex, tip of medial temporal, internal capsule (deep), lenticular nucleus (deep)

what do the posterior communicating arteries supply?

thalamus and hypothalamus (both deep)

what do the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries supply?

posterior inferior cerebellum and medulla

what do the anterior inferior cerebellar arteries supply?

anterior inferior cerebellum and parts of pons

what do the superior cerebellar arteries supply?

superior cerebellum and midbrain

what do posterior cerebral arteries supply?

temporal and occipital lobes, posterior and inferior cerebral cortex, thalamus (deep)

Is the epidural space real or potential in the spinal cord?

real; fat filled

Is the subdural space real or potential in the spinal cord?

potential

Is the subarachnoid space real or potential in the spinal cord?

real; filled with CSF

what are the specializations of the pia mater in the spinal cord?

denticulate ligaments and filum terminale

where do you take a sample of CSF from in the spinal cord?

lumbar cistern

where do you take a sample of CSF from in the brain?

cistern magna

is the epidural space real or potential in the brain?

potential

is the subdural space real or potential in the brain?

potential

is the subarachnoid space real or potential in the brain?

real; filled with CSF

name the dural reflections and their purposes

falx cerebri: divide right and left cerebral hemispheres

tentorium cerebelli: divide cerebrum and cerebellum

falx cerebelli: divide right and left cerebellum

what is the tentorial notch?

where the brainstem goes through

what sinus is found along the top of the falx cerebri? where does it drain?

superior sagittal sinus → confluens of sinuses → transverse sinus → sigmoid sinus → internal jugular

what sinus is found along the bottom of the falx cerebri? where does it drain?

inferior sagittal sinus → straight sinus → confluence of sinuses → transverse sinus → sigmoid sinus → internal jugular

roof of anterior horn and body of lateral ventricles

corpus callosum

floor of anterior horn and body of lateral ventricles

thalamus

lateral walls of anterior horn and body of lateral ventricles

head of caudate nucleus

roof of inferior horn of lateral ventricles

tail of caudate nucleus

floor of inferior horn of lateral ventricles

hippocampus

walls of third ventricle

thalamus and hypothalamus

floor of third ventricle

optic chiasm and infundibulum and inferior hypothalamus

floor of fourth ventricle

pons and medulla

roof of fourth ventricle

very thin layer of tissue (vellum) with cerebellum on other side

what is affected when the mesencephalic aqueduct is obstructed?

lateral ventricles and 3rd ventricle

where are LMNs to extensors located in the anterior horn?

anterior

where are LMNs to flexors located in the anterior horn?

posterior

where are LMNs to distal muscles located in the anterior horn?

lateral

where are LMNs to proximal muscles located in the anterior horn?

medial

where does the lateral horn exist?

T1-L3

level of lumbosacral enlargement

L2-S3

level of cervical enlargement

C5-T1

level of thoracic cord

T1-L3

what kind of paralysis would you see with upper motor neuron disease?

spastic

what kind of paralysis would you see with lower motor neuron disease?

flaccid

modality of posterior columns

fast somatosensory

fasciculus gracilis

fast ss from lower body

fasciculus cuneatus

fast ss from upper body

modality of anterolateral system

slow somatosensory

modality of posterior spinocerebellar

proprioception from thoracic and below

modality of lateral corticospinal

voluntary movement

modality of rubrospinal

stimulate LMN → flexors; inhibit LMN → extensors

modality of lateral vestibulospinal

reflexive control of posture and balance

modality of medial vestibulospinal

movement of neck muscles

modality of medial reticulospinal

reflexive control of posture; mainly antigravity muscles

modality of lateral reticulospinal

??

modality of spinospinal

provide connections between spinal levels

characteristics of inferior medulla

pyramids, olives, small fourth ventricle

characteristics of superior medulla

pyramids, olives, large fourth ventricle

characteristics of inferior pons

no pyramids or olives, corticospinal fibers are deep, pontine nuclei, middle cerebellar peduncle, superior cerebellar peduncle, large fourth ventricle

characteristics of superior pons

no pyramids or olives, corticospinal fibers are deep, pontine nuclei with lateral fibers, gap between middle and superior cerebellar peduncles, small fourth ventricle

characteristics of inferior midbrain

inferior colliculus (goblet shaped), mesencephalic aqueduct, crus cerebri forming

characteristics of superior midbrain

superior colliculus (looks squashed), mesencephalic aqueduct, crus cerebri very well defined