Brain Material - Study Guide for Brain and Spinal Cord Section Winter 2026

Describe the functions of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)

Protect tissues from physical damage

What cells and structures are involved in producing CSF, where do we find these structures and from what is CSF made from?

How much CSF do we produce in a day?

Explain why CSF enters the superior sagittal sinus.

Trace the flow of CSF from where it is found in the meninges to entering the major vein in the neck.

Starting from within the longitudinal fissure and going up and over the frontal/parietal lobes and down to the lateral sulcus how is the body laid-out in terms of which area of the gyri are associated with which body part?

What is the function of the association areas?

• What does memory have to do with these different association areas?

“to associate that pattern of neurons with what it actually is”

What is the function of the Broca’s area and Wernicke’s?

• What does the term, Aphasia refer to?

i. What structure/s in the brain would be involved with aphasia?

ii. How is non-fluent asphasia different from fluent asphasia?

What is the basic function of the basal nuclei and what are the different nuclei involved?

• What disorders are associated with the improper functioning of the basal nuclei?

• Which nuclei make-up the lentiform nucleus?

What are the functions of association fibers, longitudinal fasciculi, commissural fibers and projection fibers?

• What are these fibers made of?

hat is the function of

• The pineal gland

• What hormone comes from this structure?

i. What is the function of the hormone melatonin?

What is the function of the thalamus?

or the hypothalamus, describe its functions and the functions of:

• supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei.

Where do we find the origins for the autonomic nervous system?

For the mesencephalon (midbrain) identify

• What nuclei make up the corpora quadrigemina?

i. What part of the brain stem is this located in?

ii. What is the function of the superior colliculi?

iii. What is the function of the inferior colliculi?

What is the function of the pons?

• Name the nuclei located there associated with respiration and describe their function.

What are ascending and descending tracts -what type of signals do they send?

For the medulla oblongata name the different nuclei found there and the function of each.

• Cardiovascular center

• Respiratory rhythmicity center

i. DRG

ii. VRG

Why do motor signals coming from the motor cortex in the right hemisphere affect the muscles on the left side of the body?

Because of the pyramid dessication

Why do sensory signal from the right side of the body end up in the left primary sensory cortex?

What is the function of the cerebellum?