BIOL 3320 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1: Brain and Cranial Nerves

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on the brain and cranial nerves in human anatomy and physiology.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord, serving as the primary processing center.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Includes cranial and spinal nerves and ganglia, responsible for sensory input and motor response pathways.

Gray Matter

Contains nerve cell bodies, dendrites, and synapses; forms the cortex and nuclei in the brain.

White Matter

Composed of bundles of myelinated axons that connect different brain areas and spinal cord.

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain, involved in sensory perception, voluntary movement, and higher mental functions.

Lateral Ventricle

C-shaped fluid-filled space located in each cerebral hemisphere, separated by the septum pellucidum.

Thalamus

Functions as the great sensory relay station, processing sensory information (except smell) to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Located below the thalamus; controls autonomic functions, endocrine activity, and regulates homeostasis.

Brainstem

Composed of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata; regulates vital functions and connects the brain to the spinal cord.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves originating from the brain, mostly responsible for motor and sensory functions in the head and neck.

Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

A selective permeability barrier that isolates the CNS from general circulation, protecting the brain from toxins.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord, supporting and cushioning them.

Basal Nuclei

Masses of gray matter within the cerebral hemispheres involved in the regulation of voluntary motor movements.

Hemispheric Lateralization

Functional specialization of the left and right cerebral hemispheres for different cognitive tasks.

Motor Cortex

Regions in the frontal lobe that control voluntary muscle movements; includes primary motor cortex and premotor cortex.

Somatosensory Cortex

Area of the parietal lobe that processes sensory input from the body, including touch and proprioception.