Neuroanatomy and Physiology: The Soft-Tissue of the Brain

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering gross brain anatomy, cerebral lobes, cranial nerve foramina, motor pathways, and vascular supply based on lecture materials.

Prefix "neuro-"

Originates from the Greek word neuron, meaning "nerve" or "string", used to form terminology pertaining to nerves or the nervous system.

Neurology

The branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Metopic suture

Suture connecting the right and left sides of the frontal bone at birth, which normally fuses at approximately $12\,\text{months}$ of age.

Primary motor cortex

Located within the pre-central gyrus of the frontal lobe (Brodmann area 4) immediately anterior to the central sulcus, controlling voluntary movements and coordinating muscle activity.

Betz cells

The largest neurons in the central nervous system, located within the primary motor cortex, which coordinate long axon connections with the spinal cord.

Motor neurone disease (MND)

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting upper and lower motor neurons, characterized clinically by muscle weakness, atrophy, and eventual paralysis.

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)

A form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) involving widespread damage to the brain's white matter tracts.

Postcentral gyrus

Convolution in the parietal lobe containing the primary somatic sensory cortex.

Brain stem

Anatomical structure composed of three parts: the mid-brain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Diencephalon

Brain region comprising the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Cribriform plate

Perforated structure of the ethmoid bone in the anterior skull base that transmits the Olfactory nerve (CN I).

Optic canal

Passageway in the anterior skull base that transmits the Optic nerve (CN II).

Superior orbital fissure

Fissure in the skull base that transmits the Oculomotor nerve (CN III), Trochlear nerve (CN IV), Ophthalmic nerve ($\text{CN V}_1$), and Abducens nerve (CN VI).

Foramen rotundum

Opening in the central skull base that transmits the Maxillary nerve ($\text{CN V}_2$).

Foramen ovale

Opening in the central skull base that transmits the Mandibular nerve ($\text{CN V}_3$).

Internal acoustic meatus

Canal in the petrous portion of the temporal bone that transmits the Facial nerve (CN VII) and Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII).

Jugular foramen

Foramen in the posterior skull base that transmits the Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), Vagus nerve (CN X), and Accessory nerve (CN XI).

Hypoglossal canal

Canal in the posterior skull base that transmits the Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).

Decussation of pyramids

The region in the medulla oblongata where motor fibers of the corticospinal tract cross to the opposite side.

Corticospinal tract

The major motor pathway conveying voluntary movement signals from the pre-central gyrus through the cerebral peduncles, pyramids, and spinal cord to skeletal muscles.

Circle of Willis

An arterial anastomosis at the base of the brain formed by the internal carotid, anterior cerebral, middle cerebral, anterior communicating, posterior communicating, basilar, and posterior cerebral arteries.