Chapter 13 Lecture: Brain Organization and Development

These flashcards cover important terminology and concepts from Chapter 13 focusing on brain organization and development.

Neurulation

The process by which the neural tube forms from the ectoderm during embryonic development.

Forebrain

The most anterior part of the brain, also known as the prosencephalon.

Midbrain

The middle part of the brain, also referred to as the mesencephalon.

Hindbrain

The posterior part of the brain, also known as the rhombencephalon.

Cerebrum

The largest region of the brain, composed of two hemispheres and responsible for complex intellectual functions.

Gray matter

Brain tissue composed mainly of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons.

White matter

Brain tissue composed primarily of myelinated axons.

Gyri

Ridges or folds on the surface of the brain.

Sulci

Shallow grooves or depressions between the gyri.

Fissures

Deep grooves in the brain, which are deeper than sulci.

Frontal lobe

The lobe of the brain associated with reasoning, planning, problem-solving, movement, and emotions.

Parietal lobe

The lobe responsible for processing sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain.

Temporal lobe

The lobe that contains the primary auditory perception and is also important for memory and speech.

Occipital lobe

The lobe located at the back of the brain, primarily responsible for visual processing.

Cerebellum

The region of the brain that coordinates movement and balance.

Cranial meninges

Three connective tissue membranes (pia mater, arachnoid mater, dura mater) that enclose and protect the brain.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A clear fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord.

Dura mater

The tough outermost layer of the meninges that encases the brain.

Arachnoid mater

The middle layer of the meninges, which contains cerebrospinal fluid.

Pia mater

The delicate innermost layer of the meninges that adheres closely to the surface of the brain.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB)

A selective permeability barrier that protects the brain from harmful substances in the blood.

Thalamus

A brain structure that relays sensory information to the appropriate part of the cortex.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that regulates many autonomic functions and is involved in hormone production.

Amygdaloid body

A structure in the brain involved in emotion and emotional memory, especially fear.

Hippocampus

A brain structure involved in the formation of long-term memories.

Cerebral aqueduct

A canal connecting the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle in the brain.

Cervical region

The uppermost segment of the spinal cord that contains nerves supplying the head and neck.

Pons

Part of the brainstem that connects the cerebellum to the rest of the brain and helps regulate breathing.

Medulla oblongata

The region of the brainstem responsible for autonomic functions such as heart rate and breathing.

Caudal

Directional term meaning towards the tail or lower part of a structure.

Rostral

Directional term meaning towards the nose or higher part of a structure.

Cranial nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that originate in the brain and control various functions.

Cranial septa

Dura mater extensions that partition and support structures in the cranial cavity.

Epidural space

The space between the dura mater and the skull.

Subarachnoid space

The space between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

Olfactory bulbs

Structures that receive sensory information about smell from the nasal cavity.

Optic nerve

The nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.

Oculomotor nerve

The cranial nerve that controls most of the eye's movements, including pupil dilation.

Trochlear nerve

The cranial nerve that innervates the superior oblique muscle of the eye.

Trigeminal nerve

The cranial nerve responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions like chewing.

Abducens nerve

The cranial nerve responsible for lateral eye movement.

Facial nerve

The cranial nerve that controls facial expressions and functions in taste and salivation.

Vestibulocochlear nerve

The cranial nerve responsible for hearing and balance.

Glossopharyngeal nerve

The cranial nerve that serves the tongue and pharynx, responsible for taste.

Vagus nerve

The cranial nerve that controls autonomic functions of the heart and digestive tract.

Accessory nerve

The cranial nerve that controls neck muscles.

Hypoglossal nerve

The cranial nerve that controls tongue movements.

Frontal eye field

Region of the brain involved in the control of eye movements.

Motor cortex

The part of the brain responsible for planning and executing voluntary movements.

Somatosensory cortex

Area of the brain that processes sensory input from the body.

Cerebral nuclei

Clusters of neuron cell bodies located deep within the cerebral hemispheres.

Limbic system

A set of brain structures involved in emotion, memory, and motivation.

Reticular formation

A network of neurons in the brainstem that regulates consciousness and alertness.

Circadian rhythms

Physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle.

Melatonin

A hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Sensation

The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive stimulus.

Perception

The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Parkinson disease

A neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor control due to loss of dopamine-producing neurons.

Huntington disease

An inherited condition causing the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.

Alzheimer's disease

A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.

Amnesia

Partial or total loss of memory, often temporary.

Cognitive functions

Processes that are involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought.

Aphasia

Language disorder affecting speech and comprehension caused by brain damage.

Dyslexia

A learning disability that affects reading, writing, and spelling.

Somatic motor control

Regulation of voluntary muscle movements in the body.

Motor homunculus

A brain map showing the primary motor cortex regions controlling specific body parts.

Sensory homunculus

A representation of the sensory areas of the body in the somatosensory cortex.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A test that detects electrical activity in the brain.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself.

Myelination

The process of forming a myelin sheath around a nerve to improve signal transmission.

Cognitive decline

Deterioration in cognitive function, often associated with aging or disease.

Transverse sinus

A dural venous sinus located within the tentorium cerebelli.

Thalamic nuclei

Clusters of neuronal cell bodies within the thalamus that process sensory information.

Homunculus

A representation of the body in the brain; used to illustrate how certain parts of the body are represented in the brain's cortex.

Major depressive disorder

A mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest.

Memory consolidation

The process of stabilizing a memory after initial acquisition.

Declarative memory

Memory of facts and events that can be consciously recalled.

Procedural memory

A type of implicit memory that involves how to perform tasks.

Semantic memory

Memory of facts and concepts that are not tied to a specific time or place.

Episodic memory

A type of declarative memory that involves recollection of specific events.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change unhelpful cognitive distortions.

Stress response

The body's reaction to perceived threats or challenges, often referred to as 'fight or flight.'

Learning

The process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behaviors, or skills.

Attention

The cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring others.

Social cognition

The study of how people process and apply social information.

Emotional intelligence

The ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others.

Cognitive load

The total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory.

Metacognition

Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.

Critical thinking

The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.

Neural plasticity

The brain's ability to adapt physically and functionally to experience and environment.