Neuroanatomy Vocabulary Flashcards

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and functions related to neuroanatomy, helping students prepare for their practical exams.

Amygdala

Brain structure involved in fear, reward, and salience.

Anterior Commissure

Minor connection between the hemispheres of the brain.

Basal Ganglia

Group of nuclei involved in habit learning and reward.

Caudate Nucleus

Part of the basal ganglia involved in movement and habit learning.

Central Sulcus

The groove that separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.

Cerebellum

Brain structure responsible for fine motor control.

Cerebral Aqueduct

Passageway that distributes cerebrospinal fluid between the ventricles.

Cerebrum

The outer gray matter of the brain.

Cingulate Gyrus

Brain region involved in social valuation and conflict monitoring.

Cingulate Sulcus

The groove above the cingulate gyrus.

Claustrum

A thin, irregular sheet of gray matter involved in attention and awareness.

Corpus Callosum

The large bundle of nerve fibers connecting the left and right hemispheres.

Fornix

A structure that connects the hippocampus to the mammillary bodies.

Fourth Ventricle

Cavity that distributes and stores cerebrospinal fluid under the cerebellum.

Frontal Lobe

Area of the brain responsible for goal setting and decision-making.

Genu

The front part of the corpus callosum.

Globus Pallidus

Part of the basal ganglia involved in smooth voluntary movement.

Gray Matter

Contains the cell bodies of neurons.

Gyri (Gyrus)

The raised folds or bulges in the cortex.

Hippocampal Gyrus

Region involved in memory.

Hippocampus

Critical for memory and navigation.

Hypothalamus

Regulates hormones to connect the nervous and endocrine systems.

Inferior Colliculus

Brain structure involved in processing auditory information.

Insula

Region associated with disgust and empathy.

Lateral Sulcus

Divides the temporal lobe from the frontal lobe.

Lateral Ventricle

Cavity that stores and produces cerebrospinal fluid.

Limbic System

Part of the brain involved in emotion.

Longitudinal Fissure

The deep groove that separates the two hemispheres of the brain.

Mammillary Bodies

Associated with memory function.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Occipital Lobe

Region of the brain dedicated to vision.

Olfactory Bulbs

Structures involved in the sense of smell.

Optic Chiasm

Point where visual signals from both eyes cross.

Optic Nerve

Transmits visual signals from the retina to the optic chiasm.

Optic Tracts

Carry visual signals from the optic chiasm to the visual cortex.

Orbitofrontal Cortex

Involved in goal-directed behavior and decision making.

Parietal Lobe

Processes metrics about space and quantity.

Pineal Gland

Produces melatonin, regulating sleep and circadian rhythms.

Pituitary Gland

Regulates various hormones, including growth and sex hormones.

Pons

Controls automatic actions like respiration and swallowing.

Posterior Commissure

Minor connection between the hemispheres.

Primary Motor Cortex

Controls movements; associated with the motor homunculus.

Primary Somatosensory Cortex

Processes sensory information; associated with the sensory homunculus.

Putamen

Part of the basal ganglia involved in movement and learning.

Pyriform Cortex

Associated with the sense of smell.

Retrosplenial Cortex

Involved in memory processing.

Rhinal Cortex

Involved in memory; includes entorhinal and perirhinal areas.

Rhinal Fissure

Separates the pyriform cortex from the temporal lobe.

Septum Pellucidum

Separates the lateral ventricles of the brain.

Spinal Cord

Connects the brain to the rest of the body.

Splenium

The back part of the corpus callosum.

Sulci (Sulcus)

The grooves or wrinkles in the cortex.

Superior Colliculus

Involved in visual processing.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in memory, audition, and speech.

Thalamus

Acts as a central hub for sensory signals.

Third Ventricle

Distributes cerebrospinal fluid around the thalamus.

White Matter

Consists of connective fibers in the brain.

Cranial Nerve I - Olfactory

Responsible for the sense of smell.

Cranial Nerve II - Optic

Transmits visual information.

Cranial Nerve III - Oculomotor

Controls eyelid and eye movements.

Cranial Nerve IV - Trochlear

Responsible for turning the eyes down and in.

Cranial Nerve V - Trigeminal

Involved in chewing.

Cranial Nerve VI - Abducens

Controls lateral eye movement.

Cranial Nerve VII - Facial

Involved in taste and facial expressions.

Cranial Nerve VIII - Vestibulocochlear

Aids in hearing and balance.

Cranial Nerve IX - Glossopharyngeal

Involved in the sense of taste.

Cranial Nerve X - Vagus

Controls swallowing and vocalization.

Cranial Nerve XI - Accessory

Controls shoulder muscles.

Cranial Nerve XII - Hypoglossal

Responsible for tongue movement.