Chapter 13: Nervous System – Brain and Cranial Nerves

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from Chapter 13: Nervous System – Brain and Cranial Nerves, intended for review and exam preparation.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, responsible for complex intellectual functions such as intelligence and reasoning.

Gyri

The ridges or folds on the surface of the brain.

Sulci

The depressions or grooves between the gyri on the surface of the brain.

White matter

Composed of myelinated axons; responsible for communication between different parts of the central nervous system.

Gray matter

Composed of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons; found in the cerebral cortex and deeper brain structures.

Cranial meninges

Three protective connective tissue layers surrounding the brain: pia mater, arachnoid mater, and dura mater.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Clear liquid surrounding the CNS, providing buoyancy, protection, and maintaining stable internal conditions.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB)

A protective barrier that regulates substance entry into the brain's interstitial fluid, preventing exposure to harmful substances.

Corpus callosum

The largest commissural tract that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Hypothalamus

Brain region that controls autonomic and endocrine functions, including body temperature regulation and emotional behavior.

Motor cortex

Area of the brain responsible for controlling voluntary skeletal muscle activity.

Sensory cortex

Region of the brain that receives and processes sensory information from the body.

Limbic system

A group of structures in the brain that process and regulate emotions and memory.

Cranial nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that originate from the brain, responsible for various functions including sensory and motor pathways.

Hydrocephalus

A pathological condition characterized by excessive cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord that contribute to the blood-brain barrier and provide support to neurons.