Brain Functions Study Guide

The pyramids are formed by what

corticospinal tracts

What is the function of the corticospinal tract

Control voluntary movements of the limbs and trunk

of about 90% of the axons in the left pyramid cross over to the right (and vice versa), so in most cases each side of the brain controls voluntary movements of the ___ sides of the body

opposite

What is the function of the cardiovascular nuclei

controls rate and force of heartbeat as well as blood vessel diameters

What is the function of the respiratory nuclei

basic rhythm of breathing

What is the function of the medulla oblongata

Swallowing, Coughing, Sneezing, Hiccupping, Vomiting, Taste, Hearing, Balance, Somatic sensations, Muscle activity

what is the function of the olive

Provide instructions that influence muscle activity involved in learning motor skills

What is the function of the pons

Serves as a “bridge” that connects the various parts of the brain to each other

___ tracts that connect the cerebral cortex with the opposite side of the cerebellum

white matter

What is the function of the ventral pontine nuclei

Coordinate voluntary motor output

What is the tracts for Dorsal Pontine Nuclei

Ascending (sensory) and Descending (motor) tracts

What is the function of the Pontine Respiratory Group

Helps control breathing

What is the Corpora Quadrigemina made of

4 colliculi (2 superior, 2 inferior)

Where is the Corpora Quadrigemina located

the tectum

What is the functions of the Superior colliculi

Tracking eye movements, Scanning stationary images, control movements of the head, neck, and trunk in response to visual stimuli

What are the functions of the Inferior colliculi

Auditory pathway from hearing receptors to the brain, Govern movements of the head, neck, and trunk in response to a startling noise

What does the Substantia nigra do

neurons release dopamine to help control subconscious muscle activity (posture and tone)

What does Red Nuclei do

Neurons from the cerebrum and the cerebellum synapse here to control voluntary limb movement

Why is the thalamus important

Major relay station for most sensory impulses coming from the spinal or cranial nerves into the cerebral cortex via the internal capsule

What is the function of the thalamus

Transmits motor information from the basal nuclei and cerebellum to the primary motor area of the cerebral cortex

What do the nuclei of the thalamus do

Emotion, Learning, Memory, Cognition, Movement control, Integrator functions, Somatic sensations, Vision/hearing

What do mammillary bodies do

Relay smell information

What does the Infundibulum do

Stalk of the pituitary gland, connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland

What is the function of the hypothalamus

Respiration, Thirst, Hunger, Sleep, Temperature regulation, Emotion, Behavior, Learning, Memory

What is the role of the hypothalamus in homeostasis

Controls the autonomic nervous system, Production of hormones, Regulation of behavior and emotional patterns, Regulation of eating and drinking, Control of body temperature, Regulation of circadian rhythms and states of consciousness

What are the two structures the epithalamus

pineal gland, habenular nuclei

What is the function of the pineal gland

Releases melatonin which promotes sleepiness

What is the function of habenular nuclei

Involved in olfaction especially in response to odors and memory

What does the superior peduncle do

relay motor information from the cerebrum to all other brain areas

What does the middle peduncle do

relay motor information from the cerebral cortex and the pons to the cerebrum

what does the inferior peduncle do

relay information from the proprioceptors in the head, trunk, and limbs to the cerebrum and relay information from the cerebellum into the medulla oblongata, pons, and reticular formation

What do the Anterior and Posterior Lobes of the cerebellum do

Control subconscious aspects of skeletal muscle movements

what does the Fiocculonodular Lobe of the cerebellum do

Contributes to equilibrium and balance

What are the three main tasks the cerebellum does

Evaluate movements initiated by motor areas of the cerebrum, Detect discrepancies in the executed movement, Send feedback to the thalamus which then relays information to the motor areas of the cerebral cortex to correct and fine tune future movement

Main lobes of the brain

Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital, Insula

Commissural Tract

conduct impulses between gyri in corresponding right/left hemispheres

Association Tract

conduct impulses between gyri in the same cerebral hemisphere

Projection tracts

conduct impulses from higher  lower (or vice versa) brain areas

Basal Ganglia

initiate and terminate movements, Suppress unwanted movements, Regulate muscle tone

Limbic System

Aka emotional brain, Plays a role in affection, fear, anger, pain, pleasure, olfaction, and memory

In the general pathway a motor nerve impulse originates in the __ and is conducted down through the cerebrum, through the brainstem and into the spinal cord via an _.

primary motor area, upper motor neuron

This neuron will decussate and propagate the action potential from the cerebrum to the brainstem or spinal cord where this neuron synapses with the .

lower motor neuron

This neuron propagates the action potential out of the CNS via the anterior root and into the PNS via a spinal nerve. The axon of this neuron terminates at a neuromuscular junction where the effector, a , is stimulated.

skeletal muscle

*Other brain regions including the , __, and ____ can exert their effects on the motor pathway via the upper motor neuron. Specifically, the __ provides input that helps initiate and terminate movements, suppress unwanted movements, and establish muscle tone. The , on the other hand, helps regulate tone, control posture, maintain balance, and assists in head and body orientation. And, finally, the _, on the other hand, controls the activity of the upper motor neurons by correcting errors in movement, which provides coordination, and maintains posture and balance.

basal nuclei/corpus striatum, premotor cortex, cerebellum, basal nuclei/corpus striatum, premotor cortex, cerebellum

Site of Decussation on the lateral corticospinal pathway

medulla oblongata

Site of Synapse on the lateral corticospinal pathway

anterior gray horn of spinal cord

Location of effectors on the lateral corticospinal pathway

skeletal muscles in the distal parts of the limbs

site of decussation of the anterior corticospinal pathway

spinal cord

site of synapse of the anterior corticospinal pathway

anterior gray horn of spinal cord

location of effectors of the anterior corticospinal pathway

skeletal muscle in the trunk and proximal parts of the limbs

site of decussation in the corticobulbar pathway

pons or medulla oblongata

site of synapse in the corticobulbar pathway

pons or medulla oblongata

location of effectors in the corticobulbar pathway

skeletal muscles in the face, neck and tongue