Anatomy and Physiology 2 - study questions (CNS)

What are the different parts of the brain, and what is the function of each?

1. Cerebrum: This is the largest part of the brain and is divided into two hemispheres. It controls voluntary actions, speech, senses, thought, and memory. Each hemisphere is further divided into four main lobes: the frontal lobe (responsible for reasoning, problem-solving, judgement, and motor function), the parietal lobe (processing sensory information like touch and taste), the occipital lobe (responsible for vision), and the temporal lobe (responsible for memory and hearing).

2. Cerebellum: Located at the back of the brain, the cerebellum controls coordination and balance.

3. Brainstem: This part connects the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord. It controls automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

What is the difference between white and gray matter?

Gray matter is the cell bodies, dendrites, and axon terminals of neurons, responsible for processing information. White matter consists of axons connecting different parts of gray matter to each other.

What are the different types of fibers found in white matter?

The types of fibers found in white matter include commissural fibers (connecting two hemispheres), association fibers (connecting different parts of the same hemisphere), and projection fibers (connecting cerebral cortex to lower brain centers).

What are the different parts of the cerebral cortex, and what does each do?

The cerebral cortex has four lobes: the frontal lobe (thinking and decision making), parietal lobe (sensory information), occipital lobe (visual processing), and temporal lobe (hearing and language).

What is cerebral spinal fluid, and why is it important?

Cerebrospinal fluid protects the brain and spinal cord, provides nutrients, and removes waste.

What are the 3 layers of the meninges, and how are they different from one another?

The meninges have three layers: the dura mater (outer, tough layer), arachnoid mater (middle, web-like layer), and pia mater (inner, delicate layer that adheres to the brain and spinal cord).

What is the spinal cord, and where is it located?

The spinal cord is a long, thin tube of nerve cells that runs from the brainstem to the lower back, serving as a pathway for messages between the brain and body.

What are the different parts of the spinal cord, and what types of neurons do they contain?

The spinal cord has white and gray matter. The gray matter contains neuron cell bodies; the white matter contains axon fibers.

What is a reflex, and how does it work?

A reflex is an automatic response to a stimulus, bypassing the brain. It works through a reflex arc: a signal is sent via a sensory neuron to the spinal cord, which sends a response through a motor neuron to a muscle.