A&P 1 - Module 11 (Brain)

Cerebrum

The most superior and largest part of the human brain containing gyri (folds) and sulci/fissures (grooves), responsible for higher cognitive functions, sensory perception, voluntary motor control, and complex thought processes.

Cerebellum

A part of the brain inferior to the cerebrum and posterior to the brainstem, responsible for movement coordination.

Diencephalon

A part of the brain located between the cerebrum and the brainstem, containing structures such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus, which regulate sensory processing and autonomic functions.

Brainstem

The part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord, responsible for basic life-sustaining functions (i.e., heart rate, breathing, and reflexes).

Lateral Ventricles

A pair of C-shaped cavities within each cerebral hemisphere that produces cerebrospinal fluid.

Third Ventricle

A narrow, midline cavity in the diencephalon that connects the lateral ventricles to the fourth ventricle and produces cerebrospinal fluid.

Fourth Ventricle

A cavity located between the brainstem and cerebellum, serving to produce and pass cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles to the subarachnoid space or central canal of the spinal cord.

Interventricular Foramen

A small passageway that connects each lateral ventricle to the third ventricle.

Cerebral Aqueduct

A small passageway through the midbrain that connects the third and fourth ventricles.

Pia Mater

The delicate, innermost layer of the meninges that directly covers the brain and spinal cord, providing protection and support.

Arachnoid Mater

The middle layer of the meninges, featuring a web-like structure that helps cushion the brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

The tough, outermost layer of the meninges that provides structural support and protection for the brain and spinal cord.

Arachnoid Membrane

The thin arachnoid mater that separates the subarachnoid space from the dura mater.

Arachnoid Trabeculae

Web-like strands of connective tissue that extend through the subarachnoid space, connecting the arachnoid membrane to the pia mater.

Subarachnoid Space

The space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater, filled with cerebrospinal fluid that cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord.

Periosteal Layer (of the Dura Mater)

The outer layer of the dura mater that is attached to the inner surface of the skull.

Meningeal Layer (of the Dura Mater)

The inner layer of the dura mater that helps form dural folds.

Dural Space

The space between the periosteal and meningeal layer of the dura mater, where cerebrospinal fluid is reabsorbed into the blood.

Cerebrospinal Fluid

A clear, watery fluid that is produced in the ventricles and circulates through the ventricles and subarachnoid space, providing cushioning, nutrient delivery, and waste removal for the brain and spinal cord.

Arachnoid Granulations

Small protrusions of the arachnoid mater through the meningeal layer of the dura mater and into the dural space that allows for the passage of cerebrospinal fluid to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Medulla Oblongata

The most inferior part of the brainstem that is directly connected to the spinal cord, responsible for autonomic functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure regulation.

Pons

The middle part of the brainstem that acts as a bridge or connection between different parts of the brain, involved in motor control, sensory processing, and communication between the cerebrum and cerebellum.

Ascending Tracts

A neural pathway in the spinal cord and brainstem that transmits sensory information from the body to the brain.

Descending Tracts

A neural pathway in the spinal cord and brainstem that transmits motor commands from the brain to the muscles.

Midbrain

The most superior part of the brainstem, involved in visual and auditory processing, motor control, and the regulation of consciousness.

Superior Colliculus

A pair of nuclei in the midbrain that processes visual information and helps coordinate responsive eye and head movements.

Inferior Colliculus

A pair of nuclei in the midbrain that processes auditory information and helps coordinate responsive eye and head movements to aid in sound localization.

Right Hemisphere (of the cerebellum)

The right half of the cerebellum, separated by the vermis.

Left Hemisphere (of the cerebellum)

The left half of the cerebellum, separated by the vermis.

Arbor Vitae

The white matter of the cerebellum which is in the shape of a branching tree (arbor, tree; vitae, life).

Epithalamus

The superior part of the diencephalon that includes the choroid plexus of the 3rd ventricle and the pineal gland that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Thalamus

A major relay center in the diencephalon that processes and transmits sensory information from the body to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

The anteroinferior part of the diencephalon with dual roles in the nervous and endocrine systems; regulates homeostasis, including hunger, thirst, body temperature, and the autonomic nervous system.

Pineal Gland

A small endocrine gland in the epithalamus that produces melatonin, which regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Basal Nuclei

Groups of neuronal cell bodies within the cerebrum that play a role in voluntary motor control and movement regulation.

Gyrus

A raised ridge (fold) on the surface of the brain (plural, gyri).

Sulcus

A shallow groove between gyri on the brain (plural, sulci).

Fissure

A deep groove in the brain that separates large regions.

Right Hemisphere (of the cerebrum)

The right half of the cerebrum, associated with spatial awareness, creativity, and recognition of patterns and emotions.

Left Hemisphere (of the cerebrum)

The left half of the cerebrum, associated with logical reasoning, language processing, and analytical thinking.

Frontal Lobe

The anterior portion of the cerebrum involved in voluntary movement, decision-making, reasoning, and personality.

Parietal Lobe

The superior region of the cerebrum involved in processing sensory information related to touch, temperature, and spatial awareness.

Temporal Lobe

The lateral region of the cerebrum involved in processing auditory information, language comprehension, and memory formation.

Occipital Lobe

The posterior portion of the cerebrum involved in visual processing.

Insular Lobe / Insula

The internal portion of the cerebrum located deep to the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes, involved in gustatory processing.

Cortex

The outermost layer of gray matter in the cerebrum or cerebellum, responsible for sensory and motor processing.

Motor Cortex

A region of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary muscle movements.

Somatosensory Cortex

A region of the parietal lobe that processes tactile (touch, pressure, pain, and temperature) sensations.

Visual Cortex

A region in the occipital lobe responsible for processing visual information.

Auditory Cortex

A region in the temporal lobe responsible for processing hearing-related information.

Olfactory Cortex

A region in the temporal lobe responsible for processing smell-related information.

Gustatory Cortex

A region of the insular lobe responsible for processing taste-related information.

Association Area

A region of the cerebral cortex that receives processed sensory or motor information from a single cortex and is involved with integrating, understanding, and interpreting information with past experiences.

Integrative Center

A region of the cerebral cortex that receives and integrates information from multiple association areas to coordinates complex functions such as language, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Hemispheric Lateralization

The specialization of each cerebral hemisphere for different functions (e.g., language in the left hemisphere and spatial abilities in the right hemisphere).

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A recording of electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp.

Seizure

A sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that can cause changes in behavior, movement, sensation, or consciousness.

Association Fiber

A type of tract that connects different areas within the same cerebral hemisphere of the brain.

Commissural Fiber

A type of tract that connects the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain.

Projection Fibers

A type of tract that connects the cerebral cortex to lower brain regions and the spinal cord, transmitting sensory and/or motor information.