Anatomy of the Brain

Brainstem

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

Midbrain

Pons

Medulla oblongata

Meninges

Three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

- Dura mater

- Arachnoid mater

- Pia mater

dura mater

Thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord

arachnoid mater

Middle layer of the meninges named for the spider-web-like trabeculae that extend between it and the pia mater

pia mater

Thin, delicate inner membrane of the meninges.

Cerebrum

Area of the brain responsible for all voluntary activities of the body

Cerebellum

A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills such as balance and coordination

spinal cord

Nerves that run up and down the length of the back and transmit most messages between the body and brain

frontal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement

parietal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch.

temporal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.

occipital lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

left hemisphere

controls the right side of the body; analytical, language, math

right hemisphere

controls the left side of the body; creative, intuitive, spacial

longitudinal fissure

separates left and right hemispheres

medulla oblongata

The posterior part of the brain that controls the rate of breathing, heartbeat, digestion, sneezing, vomiting, and swallowing. (Regulates respiration/circulation)

Pons

A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain "bridge". Responsible for autonomic and sensory functions including arousal, respiratory processes, fine motor control, equilibrium, muscle tone, and the circadian cycle (sleep cycle)

optic nerve

the nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain

optic chiasm

the point in the brain where the visual field information from each eye "crosses over" to the appropriate side of the brain for processing

optic tract

Information from the optic nerve travels to occipital lobes (primary visual area)

olfactory bulb

A brain structure located above the nasal cavity beneath the frontal lobes. Carries smell information to the olfactory nerve.

Midbrain

A small part of the brain above the pons that integrates sensory information and relays it upward.

Sulci (sulcus)

shallow grooves

Gyri (gyrus)

ridges

septum pellucidum

thin membrane that separates lateral ventricles

3rd ventricle

Found in the diencephalon and communicates with lateral ventricles via intraventricular foramen to produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Lateral ventricles (left / right)

A set of large paired ventricles lying within the cerebral hemispheres that circulates cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

4th ventricle

Ventricle floor formed by medulla and pons and roof form by the cerebellum. It protects the human brain from trauma by cushioning it with cerebrospinal fluid. It drains into the central canal of the spinal cord.

Superior colliculus

Receives visual sensory input (midbrain)

Inferior colliculi

Auditory reflex centers, which are a part of the auditory relay from the hearing receptors to the sensory cortex

Pineal gland

Produces melatonin, which helps maintain circadian rhythm (sleep cycle) and regulate reproductive hormones

Thalamus

the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Corpus callosum

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

Hypothalamus

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.

White matter

Myelinated axons of neurons

Gray matter

Cell bodies and unmyelinated fibers

- Make up the cerebral cortex in the brain

brain stem

Connection to the spinal cord. Filters information flow between the peripheral nervous system and the rest of the brain (contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla).

Diencephalon

Contains the thalamus, hypothalamus, & epithalamus

Hippocampus

A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage.

Choroid plexus

A highly vascular portion of the lining of the ventricles that secretes cerebrospinal fluid.

Blood Brian Barrier

The barrier system restricts the passage of various chemicals and microscopic entities between the bloodstream and the central nervous system. It sti

concussion

A violent shaking up or jarring of the brain may result in a temporary loss of awareness and function

Contusion (bruise)

A blow from an external object causes soft tissue damage resulting in pain, ecchymosis, swelling

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

a.k.a. "Stroke". Lack of blood supply to the brain causes brain damage