The Central Nervous System

What are the 7 main structure of the central nervous system?

cerebrum, diencephalon, midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, cerebellum, spinal cord

what is the difference between gray and white matter?

gray matter is made of cell bodies while white matter is mostly myelinated axons

what are the protective structures of the central nervous system

cranial and facial bones, meninges

what is the dura mater?

outer and toughest layer of the meninges

what is the Arachnoid mater?

middle layer with spider web extension filled with CSF

what is the pia mater?

inner layer of the meninges

what does the blood-brain barrier do?

regulates movement of molecules into the brain

what are the functions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

cushions and reduce weight of brain, protection from trauma, nourish brain

what structure in the brain produces CSF?

choroid plexus in the ventricles

what are the 5 lobes of the cerebrum?

frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, insula

what are the major dividing structures in the cerebrum?

longitudinal fissure, central sulcus

what is the function of the central sulcus?

divides the frontal and parietal lobe

what is the cerebral cortex?

the outer layer of gray matter that acts as our conscious mind

what is the function of the precentral gyrus?

houses the primary motor cortex which initiates voluntary movement

what is the function of the postcentral gyrus?

houses the primary somatosensory cortex which receives sensory input

the map of the body that is found in the postcentral gyrus is known as?

sensory homunculus

the motor map of the body that is found in the precentral gyrus is known as?

motor homunculus

what part of the brain controls speech?

the left hemisphere

what does Broca’s area do?

converts thoughts into word

what is the function of Wernicke’s area?

interprets spoke, written, or signed speech

what are Association tracts?

connects areas in the same cerebral hemisphere

what are commissural tracts?

connects areas in opposite hemispheres

what are projection tracts?

sends information out of the brain

what are the basal nuclei?

groups of gray matter in the middle of the white matter of the cerebrum

what are the functions of the basal nuclei?

suppress unwanted movement, filter out unnecessary responses

which disorders are associated with basal nuclei?

Parkinson’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome

what is the function of the thalamus?

relay center for sensory, motor and filters information

what is the major functional region of the epithalamus?

pineal gland

what is the function of the pineal gland?

produce melatonin needed to regulate sleep cycle

what is the function of the hypothalamus?

maintain homeostasis, growth, metabolism, temperature

what is the function of the hippocampus?

stores memories

what is the function of the olfactory bulb

triggers emotional responses to smells

what is the function of the amygdala?

regulates fear and rage responses

what is the function of the cingulate gyrus?

enables the use of gestures to express emotions

what is the function of the superior colliculi in the midbrain?

assists with visions

what is the function of the inferior colliculi in the midbrain?

assist with hearing

what is the function of the pons

relays motor information, regulates breathing, controls urination

what is the function of the medulla oblongata?

regulates many basic life functions

what is the reticular formation?

group of neurons throughout the brainstem that control consciousness

what is the function of the reticular activating system (RAS)?

maintains consciousness, activated by sensory input

what is the function of the cerebellum?

coordinates movement, balance and posture

inferior peduncle

brings information from the medulla and spinal cord into the cerebellum

middle peduncle

brings information from the pons to the cerebellum

superior peduncle

sends edited motor plans to the primary motor cortex

what is the function of the spinal cord?

allows two-way communication between the brain and the rest of the body

what are the two enlarged areas containing more neurons that serves the appendages?

cervical and lumbar

what are the effects of aging on the central nervous system?

loss of neurons, slow transmission, decline of reflexes, enlarged ventricles, decline of neurotransmission