Brain Structure and Function

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to brain anatomy, development, and function, based on the provided lecture notes. This set includes components of the nervous system, brain regions, embryonic development stages, and specific functional areas.

Broca's Area

A specific area in the left hemisphere of the brain partly responsible for the ability to produce and process language.

Broca's Aphasia

A condition resulting from damage to Broca's area, characterized by some ability to understand speech but an inability to produce intelligible words.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

One of the two main networks of the nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for integrating sensory information and coordinating activity.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

One of the two main networks of the nervous system, made up of the nerves coming out of the central nervous system, responsible for collecting sensory information from the body.

Spinal Cord

A component of the CNS that conducts two-way signals between the brain and the rest of the body, and governs basic muscle reflexes.

Meninges

Membrane layers that protect the fragile nervous tissue of the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord, allowing the brain to float somewhat in the skull, reducing its weight.

Neural Tube

The humble embryonic structure from which the central nervous system first develops.

Prosencephalon

One of the three primary brain vesicles in a developing embryo, also known as the forebrain, which later divides into the telencephalon and diencephalon.

Mesencephalon

One of the three primary brain vesicles in a developing embryo, also known as the midbrain, which remains undivided into secondary vesicles.

Rhombencephalon

One of the three primary brain vesicles in a developing embryo, also known as the hindbrain, which later forms into the metencephalon and myelencephalon.

Telencephalon

A secondary brain vesicle that undergoes the biggest changes during development, forming the cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum).

Diencephalon

A secondary brain vesicle, also known as the interbrain, containing structures like the thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, and mammillary bodies.

Brain Stem

A major adult brain region formed from the mesencephalon, metencephalon, and myelencephalon, which relays information between the body and higher brain regions and regulates vital involuntary functions.

Cerebellum

A major adult brain region that mostly helps coordinate muscular activity.

Midbrain (Brain Stem Component)

A component of the brain stem that carries out higher-level functions, such as tracking objects with eyes or reacting to sudden loud sounds, by receiving and processing sensory information.

Pons

A component of the brain stem involved in regulating many basic vital involuntary functions.

Medulla Oblongata

A component of the brain stem involved in regulating basic vital involuntary functions, like keeping the heart on pace and lungs working.

Thalamus

A structure within the diencephalon that regulates things like homeostasis, alertness, and reproductive activity.

Hypothalamus

A structure within the diencephalon that regulates things like homeostasis, alertness, and reproductive activity.

Limbic System

A brain system, part of which is found in the diencephalon and temporal lobe, that is a center for strong emotions like fear and includes memory and social behavior functions.

Cerebrum

The largest region of the brain, formed from the telencephalon, consisting of two hemispheres (cerebral hemispheres), and performing the highest functions like thinking, learning, voluntary movements, and consciousness.

Cerebral Cortex

The wrinkled outer layer of gray matter of the cerebrum where advanced cognitive functions occur.

Gyri

The little creases or folds on the surface of the brain.

Sulci

The larger grooves on the surface of the brain.

Corpus Callosum

A series of myelinated axon fibers that connect the left and right cerebral hemispheres, allowing them to communicate.

Frontal Lobe

A lobe of the cerebrum that governs muscle control, cognitive functions like planning for the future and concentration, and preventing socially unacceptable behaviors; it also contains Broca's area.

Occipital Lobe

A lobe of the cerebrum located at the back of the head, responsible for processing visual cues.

Parietal Lobe

A lobe of the cerebrum that processes the sensations of touch, pain, and pressure.

Temporal Lobe

A lobe of the cerebrum that helps sort out auditory information, including language, and contains Wernicke's area, the hippocampus, and amygdala.

Wernicke's Area

An important region in the temporal lobe associated with the production of written and spoken language.

Hippocampus

A part of the limbic system located in the temporal lobe, responsible for short-term memory.

Amygdala

A part of the limbic system located in the temporal lobe, which controls sexual and social behavior and emotions.

Cerebral Hemispheres

The two 'half globes' (left and right) that compose the cerebrum, separated by a big fissure.

Fissures

Deep grooves in the brain that separate its hemispheres and divide it into lobes.