Anatomy of the Brain and Meninges

Dura Mater

The most external and toughest of the meninges.

Superior Sagittal Sinus

Collects blood from the brain and drains it into the internal jugular veins of the neck. Located between the two layers of the dura mater over the longitudinal fissure.

Arachnoid Mater

Web-like middle layer of the three meninges, maintains the subarachnoid space.

Subarachnoid Space

Space surrounding CNS filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Pia Mater

Thin, delicate areolar connective tissue lining the outside of the CNS.

Brain Cerebrum

Logical thought and memory.

Cerebral hemispheres

The right and left half of the cerebrum, separated by the longitudinal fissure.

Longitudinal Fissure

Separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres.

Frontal Lobe

Thinking, memory, problem solving, social skills, language, and voluntary control of skeletal muscles.

Parietal Lobe

Conscious awareness of sensation; touch, taste.

Temporal Lobe

Conscious awareness of sensation; hearing.

Occipital Lobe

Conscious awareness of sensation; vision.

Central Sulcus

Separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.

Olfactory Bulb

Receives information for the sense of smell.

Olfactory Tract

Send information for the sense of smell towards brain.

Optic Nerve

Receives information for the sense of sight.

Optic Chiasma

Where the optic nerves come together and cross over.

Optic Tract

Sends information from the eyes to the brain (visual cortex of the in the occipital lobe).

Corpus Callosum

Connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres.

Pineal Gland

Secretes the hormone melatonin, which prepares the body to go to sleep. (Endocrine gland)

Thalamus

Receives sensory information, processes it according to importance, and relays it to the cerebrum.

Hypothalamus

Controls the automatic function of the organs, body temperature, hunger/thirst, emotions, behavior, sleep cycles, memory.

Pituitary Gland

Secretes multiple hormones (endocrine gland).

Midbrain

Automatic behaviors (fight or flight).

Corpora Quadrigemina

Visual and auditory reflexes.

Pons

Relays sensory information between the cerebellum and cerebrum.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Cerebellum

Controls balance and muscle coordination.

Arbor Vitae

White matter of the cerebellum. ("tree of life").

Folia

Gray matter of the cerebellum.

Choroid Plexus

Produces cerebrospinal fluid.

Lateral ventricles

The largest ventricles; extends throughout the cerebrum.

Third ventricle

Located between the two thalami.

Cerebral aqueduct

Channel connects the third and fourth ventricle.

Fourth Ventricle

Closely associated with the cerebellum.