The Brain

2.1

Ventricles

cavities within the brain, filled with csf

Meninges

layers of tissue that help anchor the brain inside the skull as well as protect it

Dura mater

tough, doubled layer fibrous tissue (subdural)

Arachnoid

loose layer (subarachnoid)

Pia mater

tightly adhered to the brain tissue

CSF

special fluid formed in the walls of the ventricles from blood plasma

Permeates through chorioid plexus

Choroid plexus

formed from a network of blood vessels within the ventricles

CSF allows

cushions the brain and spinal cord

provides buoyancy

allows brain to float

Blood-Brain Barrier

Diffusion barrier

Formed from astrocytes surrounding brain capillaries

Necessary for stable chemical environment

Medial Longitudinal fissure

separates brain into left and right hemispheres

Transverse Fissure

Separates cerebrum and cerebellum

Cerebral Cortex

Outter part of cerebrum

Corpus Callosum

White fibers/ matter that connects left and right sides of cerebral hemisphere so they can communicate

Frontal Lobe

Controls higher executive functioning (reasoning, decision making skills, high level thinking)

Parietal Lobe

In charge of Receiving sensory information

Temporal Lobe

Receiving sensory info (specifically hearing and smell)

Occipital lobe

receiving visual information

Primary motor area

Controls all voluntary movements for all parts of the body

Primary somatosensory area

is receiving all that direct sensory input from the body

Association area

Communicates with other lobes of the brain to understand what is happening

Broca’s Area

Located in frontal lobe

responsible for speech production

Wernicke’s Area

Located in temporal lobe

responsible for understanding speech

Cerebrum

Controls consciousness

The state of being awake and aware of one’s surroundings

Intelligence, reasoning, higherthinking

Controls activities of “lower” areas of the brain

• Brainstem

• Diencephalon

• Limbic system

• Cerebellum

Medulla Oblongata

Contains tracts that ascend or descend between spinal cord and higher centers

Vital life sustaining centers

• Regulation of heartbeat

• Breathing

• Vasoconstriction

• Vomiting

• Coughing

• Swallowing

• Hiccuping

Pons

Contains bundles of axons traveling between the cerebellum and other parts of the cns

Functions with medulla for regulation of heartbeat

Midbrain

relay station for tracts passing between cerebrum and spinal cord or cerebellum

Superior and inferior colliculi

• control head and neck

• sudden visual or auditory stimuli

Reflexes centers for responses

• Visual

• auditory

• tactile