BSC2085L E.15 Brain and Cranial Nerves

Developed for the Broward College course BSC2085/L Anatomy and Physiology I.

frontal lobe

• The most anterior region of the cerebral cortex.
• Separated from the parietal and temporal lobes by the central and lateral sulci, respectively.
• Associated with conscious thought, motor control, memory storage, judgement, problem solving, and emotion.

precentral gyrus

• Prominent gyrus of the frontal lobe lying anterior to the central sulcus.
• Sends motor commands to skeletal muscles.
• Also known as the primary motor cortex.

postcentral gyrus

• Prominent gyrus of the parietal lobe lying posterior to the central sulcus.
• Receives somatic sensations of touch, pressure, pain, vibration, and temperature.
• Also known as the somatosensory area.

parietal lobe

• The most superior region of the cerebral cortex.
• Separated from the frontal and temporal lobes by the central and lateral sulci, respectively.
• Associated with analyzing sensory stimuli.

occipital lobe

• The most posterior region of the cerebral cortex.
• Associated with receiving visual stimuli.

temporal lobe

• The most lateral region of the cerebral cortex.
• Separated from the frontal and parietal lobes by the lateral sulcus.
• Associated with receiving auditory stimuli.

insula

• The lobe of the cerebrum deep to the lateral sulcus.
• Associated with receiving gustatory and olfactory stimuli.

central sulcus

• Separates the frontal and parietal lobes.
• The precentral gyrus lies anterior to it; the postcentral gyrus lies posterior to it.

lateral sulcus

• Separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe.
• Superficial to the insula.

longitudinal fissure

An especially deep sulcus that separates the cerebral hemispheres.

cingulate gyrus

• Deep to the cerebral cortex and superficial to the corpus callosum.
• Appears as one continuous gyrus around the corpus callosum.

corpus callosum

• Deep to the cingulate gyrus and longitudinal fissure; superficial to the septum pellucidum.
• A large bundle of nerves connecting the two cerebral hemispheres together.

anterior commissure

• An anterior portion of the corpus callosum protruding inwards.
• A small bundle of nerves connecting the two cerebral hemispheres together.

septum pellucidum

• Deep to the corpus callosum and superficial to the fornix.
• A thin membrane separating the lateral ventricles at the midline.

fornix

• Deep to the septum pellucidum.
• Connects structures of the limbic system.

choroid plexus

• Located in the roof of the third ventricle.
• Produces cerebrospinal fluid.

thalamus

• Located near the center of the brain.
• The relay center of incoming signals.
• Contains an intermediate mass.

intermediate mass

• Located within the thalamus.
• Connects both sides of the thalamus medially.

hypothalamus

• Located anteroinferior to the thalamus.
• Regulates homeostatic functions.

optic chiasma

• The superior extension connected to the hypothalamus (sagittal view).
• Appears as an X-shaped structure where the optic nerves decussate.

infundibulum

Connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus.

pituitary gland

• The inferior extension connected to the hypothalamus (sagittal view).
• The gland that influences the behavior of other glands in the endocrine system.

pineal body

• Located posterior to the thalamus between the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain; superior to the corpora quadrigemina.
• An endocrine gland.

mammillary body

• Located inferior and posterior to the hypothalamus (or the underside of the fornix).
• Brainstem nuclei.

midbrain

• Located superior to the pons and posterior to the mammillary body.
• Connects the forebrain and the hindbrain.

pons

• Located inferior to the midbrain and superior to the medulla oblongata.
• Appears as a bulge on the anterior side of the brainstem.

medulla oblongata

• Located inferior to the pons and superior to the spinal cord.
• Appears as a widening of the brainstem leading to the pons.
• Controls functions vital for life.

corpora quadrigemina

• Part of the midbrain.
• Contains a pair of superior and inferior colliculi.

superior colliculus

• The superior part of the corpora quadrigemina.
• Associated with vision.

inferior colliculus

• The inferior part of the corpora quadrigemina.
• Associated with auditory reflexes.

cerebellar cortex

• Part of the cerebellum.
• The outer layer of gray matter of the cerebellum.

folia

• Part of the cerebellum.
• The gyri of the cerebellum separated by sulci.

vermis

• Part of the cerebellum.
• Worm-like structure connecting the two cerebellar hemispheres.

arbor vitae

• Part of the cerebellum.
• The branching white matter of the cerebellum.

lateral ventricle

• One of the two superior ventricles located in either cerebral hemisphere.
• Connected to the third ventricle by the interventricular foramen.

anterior horn

The anterior end of a lateral ventricle.

interventricular foramen

Connects the lateral and third ventricles.

third ventricle

• The ventricle located in the center of the brain, inferior to the lateral ventricles.
• Connected to the lateral ventricles by the interventricular foramen.
• Connected to the fourth ventricle by the cerebral aqueduct.

cerebral aqueduct

• Connects the third and fourth ventricles.
• Located between the midbrain and corpora quadrigemina (sagittal view).

fourth ventricle

• The ventricle inferior to the third ventricle.
• Connected to the third ventricle by the cerebral aqueduct.
• Connected to the spinal cord by the central canal.

central canal

Connects the fourth ventricle and spinal cord.