Cerebellum, Basal Ganglia, Diencephalon, Cerebrum, Limbic System

These flashcards cover key concepts about the cerebellum and basal ganglia, their structures, functions, and the pathways they involve, as well as related neurological disorders and physiological mechanisms.

Cerebellum

A brain structure involved in the coordination of voluntary movements, balance, and motor learning.

Basal Ganglia

A group of nuclei that influence voluntary motor control, motor learning, and cognitive functions.

Feedback Loops

Processes that regulate the output of the motor system through sensory feedback.

Thalamus

The relay station for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

Posture

The position in which someone holds their body while standing or sitting.

Balance

The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium.

Cerebellar Cortex

The outer layer of the cerebellum, involved in motor coordination.

Purkinje Cells

Inhibitory neurons in the cerebellar cortex that project to the deep cerebellar nuclei.

Deep Cerebellar Nuclei

Clusters of neurons deep within the cerebellum that relay information from the cerebellar cortex.

Folia

Folds in the cerebellar cortex that increase its surface area.

Vermis

The medial region of the cerebellum located between the two hemispheres.

Flocculus

A tuft of cerebellar tissue involved in balance and eye movements.

Climbing Fibers

Fibers originating from the inferior olivary nucleus that provide excitatory input to Purkinje cells.

Mossy Fibers

Fibers that transmit information to the cerebellar cortex from various sources.

Spinocerebellum

The part of the cerebellum that processes proprioceptive information and modulates body movements.

Vestibulocerebellum

The area of the cerebellum involved in balance and eye movement.

Pontocerebellum

The region of the cerebellum that integrates information from the cortex for fine motor control.

Dentate Nucleus

The largest of the deep cerebellar nuclei involved in planning movements.

Ataxia

A lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements.

Dyskinesia

Abnormal, uncontrolled movements due to neurological dysfunction.

Akinesia

A deficiency in the ability to initiate movement.

Bradykinesia

Slowness of movement, commonly associated with Parkinson's disease.

Globus Pallidus

A part of the basal ganglia involved in the regulation of voluntary movements.

Striatum

The combined structure of the caudate nucleus and putamen within the basal ganglia.

Subthalamic Nucleus

A small nucleus in the basal ganglia that plays a role in motor control.

Substantia Nigra

A structure in the basal ganglia that produces dopamine and is crucial for movement regulation.

Cortico-Ponto-Cerebellar Pathway

Pathway from the cerebral cortex to the cerebellum via the pontine nuclei.

Excitatory Neurons

Neurons that increase the likelihood of the firing action potential of a neuron.

Inhibitory Neurons

Neurons that decrease the likelihood of the firing action potential of a neuron.

Glutamate

An excitatory neurotransmitter used in the direct pathway of the basal ganglia.

GABA

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that plays a central role in regulating neuronal excitability.

Emboliform Nucleus

One of the interposed nuclei of the cerebellum involved in motor control.

Globose Nucleus

Another interposed nucleus of the cerebellum that aids in motor modulation.

Purkinje Cell Layer

The layer of the cerebellar cortex containing Purkinje cells.

Granule Cell Layer

The deepest layer in the cerebellar cortex that contains granule cells.

Molecular Layer

The outer layer of the cerebellar cortex containing various types of neurons.

Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus

A bundle of fibers that coordinate eye movements and head position.

Spinal Cord

The part of the central nervous system that connects the brain to the rest of the body and manages reflexes.

Upper Motor Neurons

Nerve cells that send messages from the brain to the spinal cord to initiate movements.

Lower Motor Neurons

Nerve cells that send messages from the spinal cord to muscles, resulting in muscle contractions.

Motor Learning

The process of improving the smoothness and accuracy of movements through practice.

Cerebrocerebellum

Another name for the pontocerebellum, which is involved in the planning of movements.

Anterior Lobe

The lobe of the cerebellum that is primarily involved in limb movement control.

Posterior Lobe

The lobe of the cerebellum responsible for controlling skilled voluntary movements.

Third Ventricle

A cavity in the brain that contains cerebrospinal fluid.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain where higher-level processing occurs.

Oculomotor Nucleus

The nerve nucleus responsible for the motor function of eye movements.

Inferior Olive

A nucleus in the medulla that is the origin of climbing fibers.

Glutamate Receptors

Receptors that mediate excitatory neurotransmission in the brain.

Serotonin (5-HT)

A neurotransmitter that can have both excitatory and inhibitory effects.

Corticostriatal Pathway

Pathway connecting the cerebral cortex with the striatum.

Inhibitory Pathways

Neural circuits that limit or suppress the activity of neurons.

Excitatory Pathways

Neural circuits that enhance the activity of neurons.

Thalamocortical Pathway

A neural pathway conveying information from the thalamus to the cortex.

Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

Part of the thalamus that processes visual information.

Medial Geniculate Nucleus

Part of the thalamus that processes auditory information.

Ventricles

Fluid-filled cavities in the brain that produce and contain cerebrospinal fluid.

Neural Circuits

Networks of interconnected neurons that process specific types of information.

Somatic Sensory Cortex

Region of the brain responsible for processing tactile information.

Motor Cortex

The region of the cortex involved in planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive neurological disorder characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline.

Huntington's Disease

A genetic disorder causing the progressive breakdown of nerve cells, leading to movement, cognitive, and psychiatric disorders.

Parkinson’s Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia.

Tourette’s Syndrome

A neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations.

Amygdala

A brain region involved in emotions, memory, and fear processing.

Hippocampus

A region of the brain associated with memory and learning.

Efferent Pathways

Nerves that carry signals away from the central nervous system.

Afferent Pathways

Nerves that carry signals toward the central nervous system.

Lesion

An area of damaged tissue in the brain, which can affect functionality.

Proprioception

The sense of the relative position of one's own parts of the body.

Visceral Functions

Functions related to the internal organs, often managed by the autonomic nervous system.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger that transmits signals across synapses between neurons.

Endocrine Control

Regulation of bodily functions through hormones secreted into the bloodstream.

Hypothalamus

A brain region controlling many autonomic functions of the peripheral nervous system.

Choroid Plexus

Tissue in the ventricles of the brain that produces cerebrospinal fluid.

Endocrine System

A network of glands that produce and secrete hormones to regulate various bodily functions.

Sensory Pathways

Nerve pathways that carry signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle activation and many other functions.

Monosynaptic Reflex Arc

The simplest type of reflex arc, involving one synapse between a sensory and a motor neuron.

Polysynaptic Reflex Arc

A reflex arc that involves multiple synapses between sensory and motor neurons.

Limbic System

A complex system of nerves and networks in the brain, associated with memories and emotions.

Cerebral Hemispheres

The two halves of the brain that control opposite sides of the body and are responsible for different functions.

Mediated Learning

Learning that involves the processing of information through the interactions of various brain regions.

Spinal Reflexes

Automatic responses mediated by the spinal cord to specific stimuli.

Motor Output

The signals sent from the brain to muscles to produce movement.