Lab 9: Brain and Special Senses

Cerebrum: Controls voluntary movements, sensory perception, reasoning, learning, emotions, and memory. It's the largest part of the brain.

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Longitudinal fissure

Central sulcus

Precentral gyrus

Postcentral gyrus

Lateral sulcus

Transverse cerebral fissure

Cerebellum

Olfactory bulb: Processes smell information from the nose and sends it to the brain

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olfactory tract

optic nerve

optic chiasma

optic tract

corpus callosum

fornix

pons

medulla oblongata: Controls vital functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Also helps with reflexes like coughing and swallowing.

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corpora quadrigemina

superior colliculi: Controls visual reflexes like tracking moving objects and coordinating eye movements

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inferior colliculi: Processes auditory information and helps with reflexive responses to sound.

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Mamillary body: Involved in memory processing, especially recollective memory; connects to the hippocampus

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thalamus

hypothalamus

pineal gland: Secretes melatonin to regulate sleep-wake cycles (circadian rhythm)

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choroid plexus: Produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which cushions the brain and spinal cord

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lateral ventricle

third ventricle

fourth ventricle

cerebral aqueduct

septum pellucidum

infundibulum

pituitary gland

optic nerve (CNII)

Ocularmotor nerve (CNV)

Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

Sclera: Provides tough, protective outer layer of the eye and maintains its shape

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Cornea: Transparent front layer that helps focus light onto the retina for clear vision

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Choroid: Supplies blood and nutrients to the retina; contains pigment that absorbs excess light to prevent glare.

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Retina: Contains photoreceptor cells that detect light and convert it into neural signals for vision

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Iris

Pupil

Optic nerve

Fovea Centralis: Area of sharpest vision in the retina, packed with cones for detailed, color vision

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Ciliary body

anterior segment

Posterior segment

Lens: Focuses light rays onto the retina by changing shape to adjust for near or far vision

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Lacrimal gland: Produces tears to lubricate and protect the surface of the eye

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Lateral rectus

medial rectus

superior rectus

inferior rectus

superior oblique

Auricle

External acoustic meatus

Tympanic membrane: Vibrates in response to sound waves and transmits these vibrations to the middle ear bones

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Ossicles

Malleus

Incus

Stapes

Auditory tube: Equalizes air pressure between the middle ear and the throat to maintain balance and proper hearing

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semicircular canals: Detect head rotation and help maintain balance and spatial orientation

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cochlea: Converts sound vibrations into nerve signals for hearing

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Vestibulocochlear Nerve