CH13

Spinal Cord

Serves as a two-way conduction pathway connecting the brain to peripheral nerves.

Conus Medullaris

The tapered end of the spinal cord that extends to vertebra L1 or L2.

Cauda Equina

A collection of nerve roots extending beyond the spinal cord for neural connectivity.

White Matter

The outer layer of the spinal cord, composed of myelinated and unmyelinated axons.

Gray Matter

The inner region of the spinal cord shaped like an 'H', involved in motor and sensory functions.

Myelinated Axons

Axons surrounded by a myelin sheath that facilitate faster nerve impulse conduction.

Ascending Fibers

Nerve fibers that carry sensory information to the brain.

Descending Fibers

Nerve fibers that transmit motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord.

Commissural Fibers

Nerve fibers that connect the two hemispheres of the brain.

Cerebral Hemispheres

The two divisions of the brain responsible for higher brain functions.

Diencephalon

Brain region that includes structures such as the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Brainstem

The part of the brain that includes the medulla, pons, and midbrain, regulating essential functions.

Cerebellum

Region of the brain associated with coordination and balance.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord, providing protection.

Meninges

Protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, consisting of dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater.

Primary Sensory Cortex

Area of the cerebral cortex responsible for processing sensory information.

Sensory Association Areas

Regions that process and integrate sensory information from primary sensory cortices.

Multimodal Association Areas

Areas of the cerebral cortex that receive and integrate input from multiple regions.

Motor Cortex

Region of the cerebral cortex responsible for planning and initiating voluntary movements.

Postcentral Gyrus

Location of the primary somatosensory cortex involved in processing touch and sensory information.

Sensory Homunculus

A body map that represents the sensory cortex distribution of various body parts.

Contralateral Function

The phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.

Visual Areas

Regions involved in processing visual stimuli, including the primary visual cortex and visual association area.

Primary Auditory Cortex

Area in the temporal lobe responsible for the awareness of sound.

Broca’s Area

Region of the frontal lobe involved in speech production.

Pyramidal Cells

Neurons in the primary motor cortex that send motor signals for skilled movements.

Premotor Cortex

The area involved in planning complex movements based on sensory feedback.

Lateralization of Function

The phenomenon where specific cognitive functions are more dominant in one hemisphere than the other.

Corpus Callosum

The largest commissure that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.

Basal Ganglia

Group of nuclei in the brain involved in motor control.

Limbic System

A functional brain system involved in processing emotions and memory.

Amygdala

Part of the limbic system involved in emotional responses.

Choroid Plexus

Structure in the brain that produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Cingulate Gyrus

Part of the limbic system involved in emotional processing.

Reticular Formation

Network in the brainstem involved in regulating alertness and consciousness.

Dura Mater

The strongest meningeal layer that protects the brain.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Circulation

Process by which CSF circulates around the brain and spinal cord, providing protection and nutrients.

Somatic Motor Regions

Areas of the gray matter involved in voluntary muscle control.

Visceral Sensory Regions

Areas responsible for processing sensory information from internal organs.

Ventricles

Cavities in the brain containing cerebrospinal fluid.

Reflex Center

Function of the spinal cord that allows for quick, automatic responses to stimuli.

Interneurons

Neurons located in the spinal cord's gray matter that transmit signals between sensory and motor neurons.

Motor Neurons

Neurons in the spinal cord that send signals to muscles to initiate movement.

Auditory Association Area

Region involved in evaluating sounds and recognizing speech.