Kaplan MCAT Behavioral Sciences Review, Chapter 1, Lesson 3. Organization of the Brain

Kaplan MCAT Behavioral Sciences Review, Chapter 1, Lesson 3. Organization of the Brain

Meninges

The term for the three-layered sheath of connective tissue that covers the brain. They keep the brain anchored within the skull.

Dura mater

The outer meninx, directly connected to the skull

Arachnoid mater

The middle meninx, which is a fibrous, weblike structure

Pia mater

The inner meninx, which is connected directly to the brain

Cerebrospinal fluid

The aqueous solution that nourishes the brain and spinal cord, and provides a protective cushion. It is resorbed by the meninges.

Ventricles

Internal cavities of the brain which are lined by specialized cells that produce cerebrospinal fluid

Rhombencephalon

A division of the neural tube, which is located where the brain meets the spinal cord. Vital balance, motor coordination, breathing, digestion, and general arousal processes such as sleeping and waking.

Medulla oblongata

A lower brain structure that is responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion

Myelencephalon

A division of the rhombencephalon which becomes the medulla oblongata.

Pons

This lies above the medulla oblongata and contains sensory and motor pathways between the cortex and the medulla.

Cerebellum

This structure mushrooms out of the back of the pons, helps maintain posture and balance, and it coordinates body movements. Its functioning is impaired by alcohol.

Metencephalon

A division of the rhombencephalon which becomes the pons and cerebellum

Hindbrain

This region of the brain contains the cerebellum, the medulla oblongata, the reticular formation, and the pons. It is another word for the rhombencephalon.

Mesencephalon

A swelling of the neural tube which receives sensory and motor information from the rest of the body, and which is associated with involuntary reflex responses triggered by visual or auditory stimuli.

Colliculi

The collective term for two prominent nuclei in the mesencephalon

Superior colliculus

A nucleus in the mesencephalon which receives visual sensory input.

Inferior colliculus

A nucleus in the mesencephalon which receives sensory information from the auditory system, and which has a role in reflexive reactions to sudden loud noises.

Visual

Does the superior colliculus receive visual or auditory information? Answer in one word.

Auditory

Does the inferior colliculus receive visual or auditory information? Answer in one word.

Midbrain

This region of the brain contains the inferior and superior colliculi. It is another word for the mesencephalon.

Prosencephalon

A region of the neural tube which is associated with complex perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral processes. It is associated with emotion and memory.

Cerebral cortex

The outer covering of the cerebral hemispheres, which is associated with everything from language processing to problem solving, and from impulse control to long-term planning.

Limbic system

A group of neural structures primarily associated with emotion and memory. Aggression, fear, pleasure, and pain are all related to this.

Telencephalon

A division of the prosencephalon which forms the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system

Thalamus

A specific structure in the brain with a function of being a sensory relay station

Hypothalamus

This structure in the brain regulates hunger and thirst, as well as emotion

Diencephalon

A division of the prosencephalon which forms the thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior pituitary gland, and pineal gland.

Forebrain

This region of the brain contains the cerebral cortex, the basal ganglia, the limbic system, the thalamus, and the hypothalamus. It is another word for the prosencephalon.

Neuropsychology

The study of functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the brain

Cortical maps

A map of the brain which is created by using electrical stimulation on the brain

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Number of pain receptors in the brain

Electroencephalogram

A way to measure electrical activity generated by larger groups of neurons, which involves placing several electrodes on the scalp.

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)

A noninvasive mapping procedure which detects broad patterns of neural activity based on increased blood flow to different parts of the brain.

CT scan / CAT scan

In this method of brain imaging, multiple X-rays are taken at different angles and processed by a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the tissue.

PET scan

In this method of brain imaging, a radioactive sugar is injected and absorbed into the body, and its dispersion and uptake throughout the target tissue is imaged.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

In this method of brain imaging, a magnetic field interacts with hydrogen atoms and it is used to map out hydrogen dense regions of the body.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

In this method of brain imaging, the same base of MRI is used, but it specifically measures changes associated with blood flow.