chapter 13

What are the major regions of the brain?

Cerebrum, Diencephalon, Cerebellum, Brainstem

Cerebrums general function

Controls higher functions like movement, reasoning, and sensory processing

Diencephalon general functions

Involved in processing and homeostasis; includes thalamus and hypothalamus

Cerebellum general function

Coordinates voluntary movement and balance

Brainstem general function

Controls vital functions like breathing, heartrate, and reflexes

Structures of Cerebrum and structure function

Corpus callosum (connects hemispheres), basal nuclei (moter control), ventricles(cerebrospinal fluid production)

Structures of diencephalon and structures function

Thalamus (sensory relay), hypothalamus (homeostasis, hormones), epithalamus (sleep regulation)

Structures of cerebellum and structures functions

Cerebellar cortex (coordination), vermis (posture control), cerebellar peduncles (connects with brainstem)

Structures of brainstem and structures functions

Midbrain (vision, hearing), pons (regulates breathing), medulla oblongata (heart rate, blood pressure)

what is the cerebral cortext

The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions such as thought, reasoning, and voluntary muscle movements. It is divided into different lobes that each have specific functions.

motor areas of the cerebral cortex and their functions

primary motor cortex (voluntary movement), premotor cortex (movement planning), Broca’s area (speech)

Sensory areas of the cerebral cortex and its functions

primary somatosensory cortex (touch, pain), auditory cortex (hearing), visual cortex (sight)

association areas of the cerebral cortex and its functions

Visual, auditory, somatosensory, and premotor; integrates sensory info for decision making, memory, behavior, and learning

What is the composition of cerebral fluid fluid

clear fluid composed of water, electrolytes, glucose, and proteins and ions.

Functions of cerebral spinal fluid

cushions the brain and spinal cord, provides buoyancy, exchanges nutrients and waste, maintains homeostasis in CNS

Sensory pathways and their functions

Dorsal Column-medial lemniscal pathway: fine touch, proprioception; Spinothalamic pathway: pain, temp

How does the brain integrate information and coordinate responses

Brain processes sensory input in association areas, links it with motor areas for the response; Basal nuclei regulate voluntary movement while cerebellum fine tunes actions based on feedback

What are some major homeostatic abnormalities of the nervous system

Parkinson’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, stroke

What part of the brain is primarily responsible for processing sensory information from the body?

Thalamus

The motor cortex is involved in the control of:

voluntary muscle movements.

what are the lobes of the brain

frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. insular

What is the pineal gland and what does it do

found in the epithalamus of the diencephalon; produces melatonin,

The primary motor cortex is located in which part of the brain?

Frontal lobe

What is the function of the frontal lobe

higher cognitive functions such as reasoning, planning, problem-solving, and controlling behavior and emotions.

what is the function of the parietal lobe

touch, temperature, and pain, spatial orientation and body awareness.

what is the function of the temporal lobe

processes auditory information, memory formation, and language comprehension.

functions of the occipital lobe

visual processing, including perception of color, motion, and depth.

Which part of the brain controls fine motor coordination and balance?

cerebellum

the process of long-term potentiation (LTP) is associated with what

memory formation

Which region of the brain is involved in emotional regulation and memory?

The limbic system; hippocampus and amygdala

what is the amygdala and what is its function

in the temporal lobe of the brain; involved in processing emotions and forming memories related to emotional events.

The primary auditory cortex is located in which lobe of the brain?

The temporal lobe

Which of the following is a function of the spinal cord?

Transmitting signals between the brain and body, coordinating reflexes, motor control of voluntary muscles

what is parasympathetic nervous system and its functions

division of the autonomic nervous system; rest-and-digest activities, slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract.

What is the somatic nervous system and its functions

peripheral nervous system; voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles, mediates reflexes and sensory input from the body to the central nervous system.

what system is fight or flight apart of

the sympathetic nervous system.

what is the sympathetic nervous system

autonomic nervous system; prepares the body for stressful or emergency situations, increasing heart rate, dilating airways, and inhibiting digestion.

Which structure in the brainstem is responsible for basic life-sustaining functions like heart rate and breathing?

The medulla oblongata.

what is the autonomic nervous system

regulates involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. It includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

what is the somatosensory cortex

region in the brain responsible for processing sensory information from the body, including touch, temperature, and pain. It is located in the parietal lobe and is essential for spatial awareness and perception of stimuli.

The association areas of the cerebral cortex are primarily responsible for:

higher-level cognitive functions such as perception, thought, and language.

Which type of reflex involves sensory neurons synapsing directly with motor neurons?

Monosynaptic reflexes

The function of the corpus callosum is to:

connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication between them.

what is the right hemisphere responsible for

responsible for processing spatial abilities, face recognition, visual imagery, and music.

what is the left brain responsible for

primarily responsible for processing language, logic, analytical thinking, and mathematical skills.

what is polysynaptic reflex

A reflex action that involves multiple synapses and is mediated by an integration center in the spinal cord.

what is sympathetic reflex

A reflex action involving the sympathetic nervous system that prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses.

what is monosynaptic reflex

A reflex action that involves only one synapse, directly connecting the sensory neuron to the motor neuron, usually resulting in a quick response.

what is corticospinal reflex

A neural pathway that transmits motor signals from the brain to the spinal cord, enabling voluntary movement by directly influencing motor neurons.

neurons involved in motor function

motor neurons, which transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles, enabling movement.

what are sensory neurons

Neurons that carry sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system, allowing the perception of stimuli.

what are interneurons

Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons within the central nervous system, facilitating communication and processing of information.

what is basal ganglia

A group of nuclei in the brain that are involved in the regulation of voluntary motor control, movement, and coordination.

What are the major component of the blood-brain barrier?

T endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes

what is the blood-brain barrier

A selective permeable barrier that protects the brain from harmful substances while allowing essential nutrients to pass through

what is the spinal cord and its functions

a long, tubular structure that extends from the brainstem down the vertebral column. major conduit for information traveling between the brain and the rest of the body, coordinating reflexes and facilitating movement.

difference between spinal cord and brainstem

responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the body; controls basic life functions and connects the spinal cord to the brain.

what are pons and their function

located above the medulla and below the midbrain, relaying signals between different parts of the nervous system, as well as regulating sleep, respiration, swallowing, and facial expressions.

what is the midbrain and its function

above the pons that plays a critical role in functions such as vision, hearing, motor control, and the regulation of wakefulness.

What type of cells in the central nervous system help support and nourish neurons

Glial cells or neuroglia

what are gyri

ridges of the brain

what are sulci

depressions between ridges

what are fissures

deep sulci

what is neurulation

The process during embryonic development where the neural plate forms the neural tube, leading to the development of the central nervous system.

what is the neural plate

a flattened structure that forms during early embryonic development and eventually gives rise to the neural tube.

what is the neural tube

a hollow structure formed from the neural plate during neurulation that develops into the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.

what is gray matter made of

neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons,which are involved in processing information within the central nervous system.

where is gray matter found

primarily in the brain's cortex and spinal cord's interior, forming a crucial component of the central nervous system.

what is the function of gray matter

process and integrate information within the central nervous system, enabling communication between different brain regions and facilitating sensory perception, motor control, and cognitive functions.

what is white matter made of

myelinated axons that connect different regions of gray matter, facilitating communication and signal transmission in the central nervous system.

where is white matter found

primarily in the brain's interior, connecting various gray matter regions through myelinated axons.

what is the function of white matter

facilitate communication between different brain regions by providing pathways for signal transmission through myelinated axons, coordinates information flow within the central nervous system.

what are meninges

Three protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, comprising the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

what is the order of meninges from superficial to deepest

The dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

what is dura mater and its function

The outermost layer of the meninges, provides a tough protective covering for the brain and spinal cord and contains blood vessels and nerves.

what is arachnoid mater and its functions

The middle layer of the meninges, acts as a cushioning barrier, facilitating the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and preventing damage to the brain and spinal cord.

what is pia mater and its function

The innermost layer of the meninges, close to the surface of the brain and spinal cord, providing essential support and nourishment through blood vessels.

what is the subarachnoid space and its functions

area between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater that contains cerebrospinal fluid

what is arachnoid trabeculae and its function

Connective tissue strands in the subarachnoid space that provide structural support for the arachnoid mater and help secure it to the pia mater.

what is the epidural space and its functions

The space between the dura mater and the vertebral wall that contains fat and blood vessels, offering cushioning and support to the spinal cord,

what is the meningeal layer

innermost layer of the dura mater, consisting of three membranes that protect the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.

what is the periosteal layer

the outer layer of the dura mater that is attached to the inner surface of the skull and provides protection and structural support for the brain.

what are ventricles

Fluid-filled cavities in the brain that produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid, aiding in cushioning the brain and maintaining internal pressure.

what are lateral ventricles and their function

large cavities in cerebrum that produce and contain cerebrospinal fluid, facilitating communication with other ventricular spaces and providing buoyancy for the brain.

what is the 3rd ventricle and its function

A narrow cavity located between the left and right thalamus in the brain, it produces cerebrospinal fluid and connects to the lateral ventricles and the fourth ventricle, playing a role in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.

what is the 4th ventricle

A sickle-shaped cavity located between the brainstem and the cerebellum, it produces cerebrospinal fluid and connects to the third ventricle, facilitating the flow of spinal fluid into the central canal of the spinal cord.

what is the cerebral aqueduct

A narrow channel located in the brain that connects the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle, allowing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid between these ventricular spaces.

what is the central canal

A small channel in the spinal cord that extends from the fourth ventricle, allowing the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.

what is the choroid plexus

A specialized tissue located within the ventricles of the brain that produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), helping to maintain the homeostasis of the brain's environment.

what are the steps of cerebrospinal fluid formation

The steps include production by the choroid plexus, circulation through the ventricles, and absorption into the bloodstream via the arachnoid villi.

what is the arachnoid villi

Finger-like projections of the arachnoid mater that protrude into the dural venous sinuses, allowing the absorption of cerebrospinal fluid into the bloodstream.

what is the arachnoid granulation

s formed by clusters of arachnoid villi that protrude into the dural venous sinuses, facilitating the absorption of cerebrospinal fluid into the venous blood.

what are the fissures of the brain

Grooves that separate different brain regions, including the longitudinal fissure and lateral fissure.

what is the function of the longitudinal fissure

It separates the left and right hemispheres of the brain, allowing for functional specialization.

what is the lateral fissure

A groove that separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes, playing a role in brain organization.

what is the latal sulcus and its function

groove that separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe. It is crucial for the organization of various brain functions related to auditory processing and language.

what is the insula and its function

deep within the lateral fissure, involved in diverse functions including emotion, perception, and self-awareness.

what is the frontal eye field and its function

An area in the frontal lobe responsible for controlling voluntary eye movements and attention.

what is the primary gustatory cortex and its functions

A region located in the insular cortex responsible for processing taste sensations and integrating them with other sensory information.

what is the primary olfactory cortex and its functions

A brain region located in the temporal lobe, responsible for processing olfactory (smell) information and encoding smells.