Brain Structures and Pathways

Flashcards reviewing the key structures and pathways of the brain covered in the lecture.

What is the function of the Epithalamus?

Connects the Thalamus with other parts of the brain

Name the components of the Basal Ganglia.

Caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, globus pallidus, ventral pallidum, substantia nigra, and subthalamic nucleus

What are the functions of the Basal Ganglia?

Motor, cognitive, and memory functions

Where is the Third Ventricle located?

Found in between the right and left Thalamus

Name the components of the Limbic System.

Cortex, Cingulate Gyrus, Caudate Nucleus, Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Dentate Gyrus, Hippocampus, Parahippocampal Gyrus

What type of sensory information does the Spinothalamic tract carry?

Pathway of pain, temperature, simple touch, and pressure

What type of sensory information does the Medial Lemniscus tract carry?

Pathway for discriminate touch, proprioception, and vibration

What is the destination of the sensory pathways?

Primary somatosensory cortex

List the structures involved in the Visual Pathway (II).

Optic nerve, Optic chiasm, Optic tract, Visual area of the thalamus, Visual cortex

List the structures involved in the Auditory Pathway (VIII).

Auditory nerve, Cochlear nucleus, Superior olivary nucleus, Inferior colliculus, Medial geniculate nucleus, Thalamus, Auditory cortex

List the structures involved in the Vestibular Pathway (VIII).

Vestibular branch of vestibulocochlear nerve, Vestibular Ganglion, Vestibular Nuclei, Thalamus, Vestibular area in cerebral cortex

What are the two main pathways of the Pyramidal System?

Corticospinal and Corticobulbar

List the structures involved in the Corticospinal tract.

Motor cortex of cerebrum, Corticospinal tract, Midbrain, Pons, Medulla oblongata, Spinal cord

What motor pathway controls the cranial nerves?

Corticobulbar tract

Besides the cortex, what are the other major components of the cerebrum?

Diencephalon, Basal Nuclei, Limbic and Olfactory Systems

Name one of the Basal Ganglia Structures covered in the lecture

Caudate Nucleus

Name the two parts of the Diencephalon noted on page 1

Thalamus and Hypothalamus

Name a major component of the Limbic system highlighted

Cingulate Gyrus

What happens in the Medulla Oblongata

The part of the brain where crossing over of motor fibers occurs

What is the Corticospinal tract?

A motor pathway

What is the Medial Lemniscus tract?

A sensory pathway for touch, vibration and propioception

What is the Spinothalamic Tract?

A sensory pathway for pain, tempterature, and simple pressure

Where do third order neurons in sensory pathways project?

To the primary somatosensory cortex

What area of the brain recieves sensory information from the Thalamus ?

Primary Somatosensory Cortex