Central Nervous System Vocabulary

Flashcards based on the Central Nervous System lecture notes, focusing on vocabulary.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Sense organs receive information and transmit coded messages to the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres.

Diencephalon

Includes the thalamus, epithalamus and hypothalamus.

Cerebellum

Processes sensory input and coordinates movement output and balance.

Brainstem

Automatic behaviors necessary for survival.

Fissure

Deep groove in the brain.

Gyri

Ridges of tissue on the surface of the cerebrum.

Sulci

Shallow grooves that separate gyri.

Cortex

Outer sheet of gray matter of the cerebrum.

Motor areas (Cerebral Cortex)

Controls voluntary movement.

Sensory areas (Cerebral Cortex)

Conscious awareness of sensation.

Association areas (Cerebral Cortex)

Integrate diverse information.

Prefrontal Cortex

Thinking, reasoning, planning, personality and emotions.

Primary motor cortex (precentral gyrus)

Starts conscious control of precise, skilled skeletal movements.

Premotor area

Helps plan movements.

Frontal eye field area

Controls voluntary eye movement.

Broca’s motor speech area

Receives impulses, formulates spoken response, and relays impulses.

primary somatosensory cortex

Receives general sensory information from skin and proprioceptors.

somatosensory association cortex

Area that integrates sensory input for understanding size, texture, relationship of parts.

Primary auditory area

Involved in processing hearing.

Wernicke’s area

Word recognition and comprehension.

Primary visual area

Area involved in processing visual information.

Insula Lobe

Involved in emotional responses and associated behaviors & memories.

Association Tracts

Connect grey matter in same hemisphere.

Commissural Tracts

Connect areas between hemispheres.

Projection Tracts

Connect cerebrum to other portions of brain or spinal cord.

Thalamus

Relay station for information coming into cortex.

Hypothalamus

Main visceral control and regulating center vital to homeostasis.

Pineal gland

Regulates biological clock, onset of puberty

Midbrain

Visual Reflexes, Auditory Reflexes.

Pons

Relays between cerebrum, cerebellum, brain, and spinal cord; acts as bridge.

Medulla Oblongata

Autonomic reflex centers.

Cerebellum

Precise, coordinated movements of skeletal muscles and balance.

Amygdaloid body

Recognizes angry or fearful facial expressions, assesses danger, and elicits fear response.

Cingulate gyrus

Plays role in expressing emotions via gestures and resolves mental conflict.

Reticular Formation

Filters out “background” stimuli and Keeps you conscious, alert, and awake

Meninges

Connective tissue coverings around the brain and spinal cord that protect the CNS.

Dura Mater

Outermost layer of the meninges.

Arachnoid Mater

Middle layer of the meninges with web-like extensions

Pia Mater

Innermost layer of the meninges; clings tightly to brain.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Forms a liquid cushion around brain; reduces weight of the brain.

Choroid plexus

Cluster of capillaries that hangs from roof of each ventricle, enclosed by pia mater.

Ventricles

Fluid filled chambers continuous to one another and to central canal of spinal cord.

Strokes

Loss of blood flow to brain causes damage.

Paresthesias

Loss of sensory function

Paralysis

Loss of motor functions

Paraplegia

Transection between T1 and L1

Quadriplegia

Transection in cervical region