Wk1: Functional anatomy of the nervous system

What are 3 main key functions of the brain stem

1. brain stem

2. cerebellum

3. forebrain (cerebrum + diencephalon)

what fluid does the cavity within the brain ventricles contains

Cerebrospinal Fluid

what are 3 key functions of the brain stem

1. to relay between the higher brain and spinal cord

2. houses the reticular formation like filtering unnecessary information (arousal, consciousness)

3. Its the site of exit for most cranial nerve

what does the reticular formation do, and what’s is its pharmacological significance ?

• it filters out un-necessary information

• regulates arousal, wakefulness, consciousness (Reticular Activating System)

what vital and non-vital functions does the medulla control?

vital: breathing , circulation , digestion

non - vital: coughing , vomiting ( via Chemoreceptors Triggers Zone - CTZ )

What key structure is in the midbrain, and what disease is it linked to?

• substantia nigra - produces dopamine , control movement

• Parkinson’s disease - degeneration

List four main functions of the cerebellum

1. coordinated of voluntary movement

2. balance

3. eye movement

4. procedural memory

The cerebellum is attached to the brain stem

Where are Purkinje cells found, and what is their role?

• they are found in the cerebellum

• they modulate motor output - damage to it causes movement issues

what are the 2 main parts of the diencephalon and their roles

1. Thalamus - sensory relay, filtering , attention

2. Hypothalamus - homeostatic control, regulates ANS/endocrine control, Sleep/wake cycle, limbic system and pituitary gland

What is the primary role of the thalamus?

• Sensory relay station – all sensory info (except smell) passes through

• Filters and directs signals to the cortex

Why is the hypothalamus called the “master homeostatic regulator”?

• Controls body temperature, hunger, thirst

• Regulates ANS and endocrine system via pituitary

• Involved in sleep/wake cycles and emotion (part of limbic system)

What is the limbic system involved in? Name two key structures.

• Functions: Emotion, motivation, reward, memory

• Structures: Amygdala (fear, anxiety), Hippocampus (memory)

What two main structures make up the cerebrum?

1. Cerebral cortex – higher cognition

2. Basal nuclei (basal ganglia) – motor control

Name three key structures within the basal nuclei.

1. Striatum (caudate nucleus + putamen)

2. Globus pallidus

3. Substantia nigra (in midbrain)

What is the main role of the basal nuclei in movement?

• Inhibit unwanted movements

• Regulate muscle tone and posture

• Part of extrapyramidal motor system

Where is the CTZ located, and what triggers vomiting?

• Located in the medulla oblongata

• Stimulated by toxins, drugs, metabolic disturbances → induces vomiting