Brain Structure and Function Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major anatomical structures, functional areas, protective layers, and subdivisions of the human brain.

Cerebrum

The most superior and largest part of the brain that includes the lobes.

Diencephalon

Brain region that includes the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Cerebellum

Region behind the brain stem, connected with the cerebrum, spinal cord, and brain stem ('little brain'), which helps coordinate movement and balance.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Clear liquid circulating in and around the brain and spinal cord that supports nervous tissues, cushions shocks, carries nutrients to cells, and transports waste products away.

Choroid plexuses

Structures located in the lateral ventricles (1 & 2) that form cerebrospinal fluid.

Cerebral aqueduct

Small midbrain canal through which cerebrospinal fluid passes from ventricle 3 into ventricle 4.

Meninges

Three layers of connective tissue that surround the brain and the spinal cord to form a complete enclosure.

Pia mater

Innermost layer of the meninges around the brain that holds blood vessels supplying nutrients and oxygen to the brain and spinal cord.

Arachnoid

The middle layer of the meninges.

Dura mater

The thickest, toughest, and outermost layer of the meninges.

Cerebral cortex

A thin layer of gray matter covering each cerebral hemisphere involved in conscious thought, reasoning, and abstract mental functions.

Gyri

Folds forming elevated portions of the cerebral cortex.

Sulci

Grooves that separate gyri in the cerebral cortex.

Central sulcus

Sulcus located between the frontal and parietal lobes.

Lateral sulcus

Sulcus along the side of each hemisphere that separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.

Corpus callosum

A band of white matter (myelinated fibers) that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres.

Frontal Lobe

Lobe responsible for executive functions, containing the primary motor area, premotor area, prefrontal cortex, and Broca's area.

Broca’s Area

Area located in the frontal lobe responsible for speech production.

Parietal Lobe

Lobe containing the primary somatosensory area that handles sensory input, identification, and inputs into memory.

Temporal Lobe

Lobe involved in listening and hearing, containing the auditory receiving area, auditory association area, Wernicke's area, and olfactory area.

Wernicke’s area

Area in the temporal lobe responsible for speech interpretation.

Occipital Lobe

Lobe responsible for sight, containing the visual receiving area and visual association area.

Thalamus

Part of the diencephalon through which all sensory impulses travel, directing them to the correct region of the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Part of the diencephalon that regulates metabolic processes (thirst, hunger, body temperature), controls negative feedback loops/homeostasis, regulates hormones (pituitary gland), and oversees the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Hippocampus

Limbic system structure responsible for processing explicit memories for storage.

Amygdala

Limbic system structure involved in emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

Cingulate Gyrus

Portion of the cerebral cortex looping over the corpus callosum that associates memories with emotions.

Basal Nuclei / Basal Ganglia

Brain structures that modulate motor inputs and facilitate motor tasks.

Brain Stem

Structure composed of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Midbrain

Superior part of the brainstem containing centers for certain reflexes, with white matter that conducts impulses between higher cerebrum centers and lower centers.

Pons

Brainstem structure located between the midbrain and medulla involved in waking and relaxing.

Medulla

Lower part of the brainstem responsible for vital functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Reticular Formation

Brainstem structure that plays an important role in controlling arousal/alertness and filters incoming stimuli.