6.2

Meninges

three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

Dura Mater

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

Arachnoid membrane

thin cobweb like middle layer of the three membranes (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord

Pia Mater

thin, delicate inner membrane of the meninges containing lots of blood vessels

Cerebrospinal Fluid

the fluid in and around the brain and spinal cord that provides protection

Ventricles

Spaces within the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid

Choroid plexus

structure within ventricles that produces cerebrospinal fluid

corpus callosum

bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the cerebrum

Gyri

ridges of the cerebrum

Sulci

grooves in the cerebrum

Fissures

deep grooves in the brain

Cerebral cortex

outer layer of the cerebrum made of cell bodies & dendrites "grey matter"

Cerebral Medulla

white matter between the cortex and nuclei made of myelinated axons

Basal Nuclei

islands of gray matter deep within the cerebrum

Frontal lobe

The lobe at the front of the brain associated with voluntary movement, reasoning & decision making, speech, and impulsive behavior.

Parietal Lobe

the lobe at the top of the brain that contains mechanisms responsible for sensations caused by stimulation of the skin and also some aspects of visual information

Occipital lobe

the lobe at the posterior base of cerebrum that functions in visual processing and memory

Temporal Lobes

Lobes at the sides of the brain's cerebral cortex; they contain areas involved in hearing, memory, sensations of smell and sound, emotion, and language comprehension.

Diencephalon

consist of hypothalamus, thalamus, and pineal gland

Brain stem

Connects the brain and spinal cord; consists of midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata

Midbrain

superior part of brainstem that controls body movement and posture and relays information to the cerebrum

Pons

A portion of the brainstem that carries information from one side of the brain to the other, and is the central control of breathing

Medulla Oblongata

Transmits impulses between the spinal cord and the brain and controls blood pressure, heart rate, swallowing, and coughing

Cerebellum

hindbrain that is responsible for coordinating the movements directed by the cerebrum so they are graceful and efficient (involuntary)

Reflexes

Pre-programmed responses

Reflex arc

the nerve pathway involved in a reflex action including a receptor, sensory neurons, integration, motor neurons, & an effector