Neuroscience: Brain Structures, Functions, and Cranial Nerves

What is the largest part of the brain and its higher-order functions?

The cerebrum; functions include voluntary motor functions, concentration, verbal communication, decision-making, planning, and personality.

What is contralateral innervation?

It refers to the phenomenon where each cerebral hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body.

Name the five lobes of each cerebral hemisphere.

Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and insula.

Which lobe is responsible for voluntary motor functions?

The frontal lobe.

What is the function of the precentral gyrus?

It is responsible for the primary motor functions.

What are some functions associated with the prefrontal cortex?

Higher-order functions such as decision-making, planning, and personality.

Which lobe is involved in general sensory functions?

The parietal lobe.

Which lobe is involved in hearing and smell?

The temporal lobe.

Which lobe processes visual information?

The occipital lobe.

List the three motor areas and their functions.

primary motor cortex, motor speech area, frontal eye field

Primary motor cortex function?

Voluntary movement

motor speech area function?

speech production

frontal eye field function?

eye movement

List the five sensory areas and their functions.

1. Primary somatosensory cortex - touch and proprioception; 2. Primary visual cortex - vision; 3. Primary auditory cortex - hearing; 4. Primary olfactory cortex - smell; 5. Primary gustatory cortex - taste.

primary somatosensory cortex function?

touch and proprioception

primary visual cortex function?

vision

primary auditory cortex function?

hearing

primary gustatory cortex function?

taste

What is the primary function of the insula?

It is involved in the perception of taste and visceral sensations.

What are the three regions of the diencephalon?

Thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

What is the primary role of the thalamus?

It acts as a relay station for sensory information to the cerebral cortex.

What are some critical functions regulated by the hypothalamus?

Regulation of body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, and circadian rhythms.

What are the three regions of the brainstem?

Midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

What are the primary functions of the midbrain?

Involved in vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake cycles, and temperature regulation.

What are the primary functions of the pons?

Regulates breathing and relays signals between the cerebrum and cerebellum.

What are the primary functions of the medulla oblongata?

Controls autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Coordinates voluntary movements and maintains posture and balance.

What is the reticular formation?

A network of neurons that regulates sleep-wake cycles and filters incoming stimuli.

Describe the functions of the limbic system.

Involved in emotions, memory, and motivation.

What is a 'tract' in the central nervous system?

A bundle of axons in the CNS that transmits signals between different regions.

How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves.

Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?

The olfactory nerve (Cranial Nerve I).

Which cranial nerve is responsible for visual information?

The optic nerve (Cranial Nerve II).

Which cranial nerve controls muscles of facial expression?

The facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII).

Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for hearing and equilibrium?

The vestibulocochlear nerve (Cranial Nerve VIII).

Which cranial nerve controls autonomic functions of the lungs, heart, and digestive tract?

The vagus nerve (Cranial Nerve X).

What is the primary function of the spinal cord?

To transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

What is the conus medullaris?

The tapered end of the spinal cord.

What is the cauda equina?

A bundle of spinal nerves and spinal nerve rootlets located below the conus medullaris.