PSYC 101: The Nervous System

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing the nervous system.

Cerebellum

A brain structure with three layers in its cortex that contains granular, Purkinje, and molecular layers.

Granular Layer

Layer of the Cerebellar Cortex containing approximately 70 billion granule cells; each cell only receives 4-5 synaptic inputs.

Purkinje Layer

Layer of the Cerebellar Cortex containing ~15 million Purkinje cells; highly branched and extensive dendritic tree.

Universal Cerebellar Transform

Compares and updates internal expectations/models with external context/behavior to reduce behavioral variability.

Dysmetria

Loss of order; can manifest in different domains depending on the site of damage.

DoT

Dysmetria of thought; may regulate the speed, capacity, consistency, and appropriateness of mental or cognitive processes.

Midbrain

A part of the brainstem located between the hindbrain and the forebrain.

Tectum and Tegmentum

Contains sensory processes and controls voluntary movements.

Pedunculi

Important fiber tracts including cortico-spinal, cortico-pontine, and cortico-bulbar tracts.

Substantia Nigra

High melanin concentrations, dopaminergic, affected by Parkinson's disease.

L-DOPA (Levodopa)

Dopamine precursor used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Forebrain

Brain structure involved in complex emotional reactions, thought processes, and movement patterns.

Thalamus

Relays sensory information to higher brain centers; a 'switchboard' for sensory information.

Hypothalamus

Controls hormone system via the pituitary gland; regulates eating, sleeping, sexual activity, and emotional experience; homeostasis.

Hippocampus

Brain structure associated with memory, spatial memory and navigation, and the formation of episodic memory.

Amygdala

Brain structure involved in emotional learning, reward system, and fear responses/anxiety.

Cortex

A convoluted outer layer of the cerebrum, increases surface area.

Sulci

Grooves in the cortex.

Gyri

Bumps in the cortex.

Central Sulcus

Divides frontal lobe from parietal lobe.

Lateral Fissure

Separates the temporal lobe from parietal & frontal lobe.

Motor Cortex

Anterior to the central sulcus; critical for motor function.

Somatosensory Cortex

Posterior to the central sulcus; responsible for processing touch, temperature, pain, and pressure.

Visual Cortex

From Eye to LGN (Thalamus) to occipital cortex. Located in the occipital lobe and processes visual information.

Auditory Cortex

From the cochlea to cortex via the superior olive, inferior colliculus and MGN (Thalamus). Located in the temporal lobe and processes auditory information.

Primary Areas

Receive direct sensory information or initiate motor movements.

Association Areas

Turns simple sensory information into complex sensory information; involved in motor planning.

Polysensory Association Areas

Receive information from more than one sensory system.

Lateralization

Tendency for one hemisphere to excel at particular cognitive functions.

Broca's Area

Important in production of speech; located in the left frontal lobe.

Wernicke's Area

Important in speech comprehension; located in the left temporal lobe.