Biology Study Set: Amygdala & Brain Terms Definitions

White Matter Fiber: Commisional

- connects regions of two hemispheres

-ex: corpus callosum, anterior (origin) commisure

White Matter Fiber: Association

- connects cortical regions within the same hemisphere

- ex: fasciculi (bundle of axons)

White Matter Fibers: Projection

- communicate from cortex to brain stem

ex: internal capsule

Thalamus

- grey matter structure

- relays sensory information to the brain

- relays motor commands to the rest of the body

- consciousness + alertness

- filters out unimportant sensory information

Hypothalamus

- grey matter structure

- we have 2

- temperature, hunger, thirtst

- regulates homeostasis

- link between CNS and endocrine system (controls pituitary gland)

- inferior to the thalamus

How does the hypothalamus control metabolism?

Hypothalamus (Grey Matter) → Pituitary Gland (endocrine system) → Thyroid (produces T4(thyroxine)) → Metabolism

Corpus Callosum

- white matter structure

- links two hemispheres (Commisional fiber)

Amygdala

- grey matter ?

- we have 2 of them

- attaches emotional components to experiences/long-term memories

- anger

- inferior to the thalamus and hypothalamus

How is the amygdala responsible for the fight or flight response?

Amygdala (release adrenaline) → Sympathetic Nervous System → Fight or Flight Response

Hippocampus

- grey matter structure

- we have 2 of them

- long-term episodic memories

- forms new memories (memory encoding)

- spatial navigation and perception

- inferior to the thalamus and hypothalamus

Ventricles

- produces CSF which protects, nourishes, and cleans up after the brain

- capable of producing new neurons in adulthood (plasticity)

Basal Ganglia

6 Components

1. Caudate Nucleus

2. Globus Pallidus

3. Subthalamic Nucleus

4. Substantia Nigra

5. Nucleus Accumbence

6. Putamen

- voluntary movement (filters out motor commands), habitual behaviors, emotions

-reward circuit = dopamine production = addiction/learning

What's another word for brain coverings?

Meninges

Whats the order of brain coverings from outermost to innermost?

Dura Mater, Arachnoid Mater, Pia Mater

Dura Mater

- allows blood to leave the brain

- allows CSF to reenter circulation

- has blood vessels

- contains two layers

- periosteal (outside)

-meningeal layer (inside)

- space between for blood vessels

Arachnoid Mater

- contains CSF in subarachnoid space between Dura Mater and Arachnoid Mater

- thick/web-like

- no blood vessles

Pia Mater

- covers/protects CNS and blood vessels

- contains CSF

- has blood vessels

Vertebral Artery

- supplies blood to the cerebellum, brainstem, and underside of the cerebrum

Internal Carotid Artery

- supplies blood to most of cerebrum/subcortical structures

External Carotid Artery

- supplies blood to neck and face

- where you can feel heartbeat on neck

Where do the vertebral, internal carotid, and external carotid meet?

Circle of Willis

Anterior Cranial Fossa

Frontal Lobe

Middle Cranial Fossa

Temporal Lobe

Posterior Cranial Fossa

brainstem and cerebellum

What are the 8 cranial bones?

2 Temporal: protects temporal lobe and cranial nerves

2 Parietal: forms shape of head

Occipital: protects cerebellum and occipital lobes

Frontal: thickest bone in skull, protects frontal lobe

Ethmoid: forms nasal cavity, most fragile

Sphenoid: forms eye sockets