Basics of the Nerve System - The CNS (round 1)

What does the CNS consist of?

spinal cord, brain

What are the 3 layers of protection?

bones, meninges, cerebrospinal fluid

What is the main function of the spinal cord?

to connect the brain to PNS.

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there and what do they each consist of?

31 pairs, sensory afferent and motor efferent neurons

How many cranial nerves are there?

12 pairs

How many cranial nerves rise from the brainstem?

10 pairs

How is the brain supplied with blood?

by internal carotid and vertebral arteries

Where do vertebral arteries join and what do they form?

near the front end of the pons to form basilar artery

What does the internal carotid artery form?

anterior and middle cerebral arteries

What is the oldest part of the brain and its functions?

brainstem, involuntary functions

What is the brainstem mainly divided into?

midbrain and hindbrain

What is the hindbrain traditionally divided into?

pons, medulla oblongata

How many neuromeres is the midbrain made up of?

2

How many neuromeres is the hindbrain made up of?

12

What is the isthmus?

hindbrain segment closest to the midbrain

What are the other 11 segments called?

rhombomeres (r1 - r11)

What are colliculi and where are they located?

2 small hillocks of neurons in the midbrain involved in relaying auditory info/ reflexes

Where does the oculomotor nerve arise from?

midbrain

What does the cerebellum control?

coordination, balance, posture, movement, etc.

What is the diencephalon?

structures lying on either side of the third ventricle

What are ventricles?

4 interconnected fluid-filled cavities in the brain

(produces & contains CSF)

What structures does the diencephalon contain?

thalamus, hypothalamus, subthalamus, epithalamus

What are hypothalamic outputs divided into?

neural projections, endocrine hormones

What tissue is the posterior and anterior pituitary derived from?

posterior: hypothalamus tissue, anterior: epithelial tissue

Where is the hypothalamic endocrine control located?

paraventricular nucleus (PVN)

How does the hypothalamus pass signals between the anterior and posterior pituitary gland?

by median eminence and neurohypophysis

What is the main function of the epithalamus?

secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland

How much of the total brain mass does cerebrum take up?

83%

What are the 3 basic layers of the cerebrum?

grey matter, white matter, subcortical structures

What are the 3 main blocks of the cortex?

back sensory, middle motor, front executive

What are the ridges in the cortex called?

gyri

What are the shallow grooves called?

sulci

What are the deep grooves called?

fissures

What separates the cortex into two hemispheres?

longitudinal fissure

What are the 4 lobes of each hemisphere?

frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal

What are the different cortical layers’ general functions?

upper integrate, middle input, inner output

Where is the amygdala located?

in each temporal lobe

What does the limbic system do?

regulates emotions/ behaviours related to fear/ motivation

What is the basal ganglia nucleus, striatum, made up of?

caudate, putamen

What structure does the basal ganglia work with?

substantia nigra

What are the subregions of the hippocampus called?

dentate gyrus, CA1 - 4