brain + cranial nerves

gyrus

elevated fold of cerebral cortex

sulcus

groove or furrow; on the surface of the brain

fissure

deep furrow, cleft or slit

neurulation

formation of the neural plate and its closure to form the neural tube

cranial

relating to the skull

diencephalon

brain region deep to the cerebrum

gray matter

brain or spinal cord tissue composed of neuron cell bodies, dendrites and unmyelinated axons

synapse

functional contact of a neuron with another neuron or effector (muscle or gland)

white matter

brain or spinal cord tissue that derives its color from myelin in myelinated axons

arachnoid mater

spider weblike meningeal layer; located between the dura mater and pia mater

dura mater

tough, fibrous membrane forming the outer meningeal layer of the central nervous system

hematoma

mass of blood outside of the blood vessels

falx cerebri

portion of dura mater septa that projects into the longitudinal fissure between the right and left cerebral hemispheres of the brain

sinus

cavity or hollow space; a channel for the passage of blood or lymph

ventricle

cavity within an organ such as the heart or brain

cerebrospinal

a clear, colorless fluid that circulates in the ventricles, subarachnoid space, and central canal to protect and support the brain and spinal cord

ependymal

relating to the cellular lining of the brain ventricles and central canal of the spinal cord; assists in production and circulation of CSF.

cell

basic structural and functional unit of a living organism

blood-brain barrier

structure formed by capillary endothelial cells and astrocytes that regulates what can enter the interstitial fluid in the brain: helps prevent transport of harmful substances from the blood into the brain

astrocyte

largest and most abundant glial cell of the central nervous system

cerebrum

the largest, most superior part of the brain; composed of the left and right cerebral hemispheres; location of conscious thought processes and origin of all complex intellectual functions

cerebral cortex

superficial layer of gray matter in the cerebrum

parietal

relating to the wall of any ventral body cavity

lobe

subdivision of an organ, bounded by some structural demarcation

cortex

outer region of an organ

tract

bundle of axons in the central nervous system

arcuate

having a shape that is arched or bowed

anterior

toward the front of the body

cerebral nuclei

paired irregular masses of gray matter buried deep within central white matter in the basal region of the cerebral hemispheres inferior to the floor of the lateral ventricle

nucleus

cellular structure housing DNA or a group of cell bodies in the central nervous system

gland

organ or individual cells that secrete a substance

thalamus

region of the brain in the diencephalon involved in motor control and relaying sensory information to higher brain centers

hypothalamus

region of the brain in the diencephalon; regulates body temperature, autonomic nervous system, and endocrine system

infundibulum

funnel-shaped structure or passage

brainstem

brain region composed of midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata

medulla oblongata

brainstem region that transmits information between the spinal cord and higher brain centers; controls heart rate, blood pressure, breathing

medulla

inner region of organ

decussation

any crossing over or intersection of parts

cerebellum

the second largest part of the brain; develops posteriorly to the pons in the metencephalon

system

group of interacting structures working together

fornix

arch-shaped structure

stupor

state of impaired consciousness from which the individual can be aroused only by continual stimulation

cognition

mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory