neuroanatomy & brain development

What is the cerebral cortex made up of?

It is 3mm thick, is divided into 4 lobes, and the neocortex is organized in 6 different ways!

What are the four different lobes?

The frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital lobes!

Why is the neocortex organzied in 6 different layers?

The different cell types!

What does the intense folding do?

The intense folding allows for more coritcal surface area without increasing our brain size!

What are the 4 ways to categorize the cerebral cortex?

1) by the pattern of gyri and sulci.

2) by cytoarchitecture.

3) by function.

4) by connectivity.

How do you use the pattern of the gyri and sulci to categorize the cerebral cortex?

The inferior frontal sulcus, superior frontal sulcus, inferior temporal sulcus, and superior temporal sulcus!

How do you use the cytoarchitecture to categorize the cerebral cortex?

By looking at Brodmann's areas (1909). There are 52 areas!

How do you use the function to categorize the cerebral cortex?

There are primary sensory areas, primary motor areas, unimodal association areas, multipmodal associaition areas, and paralympic/limbic areas!

How do you use the connectivity to categorize the cerebral cortex?

By knowing that neurons responding to similar types of information tend to be grouped together and the function of a region is determind by its inputs and outputs!

What are the types of white matter?

Association tract, Commissural tract, and Projection tract.

What is the Assocaition tract?

Cortex to Cortex!

What is the Commissural tract?

Hemisphere to Hemisphere!

What is the Projection tract?

Cortex to Deep Grey Matter!

What are the main brain structures?

Basal Ganglia, Limbic System, Diencephalon, Cerebellum, and Ventricles!

What is the function of the Basal Ganglia?

Regulating motor activity, planning and termination of action, and learning of reward, skills, and habits!

What is the function of the Limbic System?

It has two structures: Amygdala which is responsible for detection of threat, and Hippocampus which is responsible for learning and memory.

What is the function of the Diencephalon?

It has two structures: Thalamus which is the "relay center" as it relays information from sensory organs to the cortex and Hypothalamus which controls body temperature, hunger/thirst, and sexual activity.

What is the function of the Cerebellum?

It is the "little brain". It maintains posture, dexterity, smooth movement, and intergrates action planning, execution, and sensory feedback. It is in control of movement coordination.

What is the function of the Ventricles?

They are spaces filled with cerebral spinal fluid. The CSF protects the brain, homestatis, maintains intracranial pressure, and removes toxins/waste products.