Topic 2 The Central Nervous System

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Brain

The body's control centre responsible for processing information and coordinating behaviour.

Spinal Cord

A bundle of nervous tissue that carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain responsible for higher thinking

Cerebral Cortex

The folded outer layer of the cerebrum involved in conscious thought and information processing.

Corpus Callosum

A large bundle of nerve fibres that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Hemisphere

One half of the cerebrum.

Frontal Lobe

A brain lobe involved in planning

Primary Motor Cortex

A region of the frontal lobe responsible for initiating voluntary movement.

Broca's Area

A region of the frontal lobe involved in speech production.

Parietal Lobe

A brain lobe responsible for processing touch

Primary Somatosensory Cortex

A region of the parietal lobe that processes sensory information from the body.

Temporal Lobe

A brain lobe involved in hearing

Auditory Cortex

A region of the temporal lobe responsible for processing sound information.

Wernicke's Area

A region involved in understanding spoken and written language.

Occipital Lobe

A brain lobe responsible for processing visual information.

Visual Cortex

A region of the occipital lobe that receives and processes visual signals.

Sulcus

A groove or indentation on the surface of the brain.

Gyrus

A raised ridge on the surface of the cerebral cortex.

Limbic System

A group of brain structures involved in emotion

Hippocampus

A structure within the limbic system essential for forming new memories.

Amygdala

A structure involved in emotional processing

Thalamus

A relay station that directs sensory information to appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A brain structure responsible for maintaining homeostasis and regulating hormones.

Pituitary Gland

An endocrine gland controlled by the hypothalamus that releases hormones into the bloodstream.

Cerebellum

A brain structure involved in coordination

Brainstem

The region connecting the brain to the spinal cord and controlling vital life functions.

Midbrain

The upper portion of the brainstem involved in movement and sensory processing.

Pons

A brainstem structure involved in sleep

Medulla Oblongata

The lowest part of the brainstem that controls breathing

Reticular Formation

A network of neurons in the brainstem involved in arousal

Gray Matter

Tissue consisting primarily of neuron cell bodies

White Matter

Tissue consisting primarily of myelinated axons that transmit signals between regions.

Ventricle

A cavity within the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A protective fluid that cushions and nourishes the brain and spinal cord.

Meninges

Three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

The tough outer layer of the meninges.

Arachnoid Mater

The middle layer of the meninges.

Pia Mater

The delicate inner layer of the meninges that closely covers the brain and spinal cord.

Contralateral Control

The principle that each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.

Neural Pathway

A series of connected neurons that transmit information through the nervous system.