Chapter 16 pt. 1: Brain & Cranial Nerves

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering brain regions, meninges, ventricles, cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, and neural pathways from Chapter 16 pt. 1.

Dura mater

A thick layer of dense irregular connective tissue covering the subdural space that adheres directly to the skull's periosteum without an epidural space.

Arachnoid mater

A middle meningeal layer composed of a web of fibers and simple squamous epithelium that covers the subarachnoid space housing cerebrospinal fluid.

Pia mater

A delicate membrane consisting of simple squamous epithelium and areolar connective tissue that adheres directly to neural tissue.

Falx cerebri

A large dural fold that separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres.

Falx cerebelli

A dural fold that separates the right and left cerebellar hemispheres.

Tentorium cerebelli

A dural fold that separates the lobes of the cerebrum from the cerebellum.

Superior and inferior sagittal sinuses

Two large veins that run down the center of the dura mater.

Septum pellucidum

A translucent wall that separates the two lateral ventricles in the cerebral hemispheres.

Interventricular foramen

The opening that connects the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle in the diencephalon.

Cerebral aqueduct

The narrow channel that connects the third ventricle in the diencephalon to the fourth ventricle in the pons and medulla.

Choroid plexus

Capillary clusters in the ventricles where ependymal cells actively and passively transport material from blood plasma to produce cerebrospinal fluid.

Arachnoid granulations

Structures through which the subarachnoid space punctures into the superior sagittal sinus, allowing pressure to return cerebrospinal fluid into the venous blood.

Olivary nucleus

A nucleus in the medulla oblongata that receives proprioception information and relays it to the cerebellum to manage motor coordination.

Solitary nucleus

A nucleus in the medulla oblongata that receives all taste-related sensory information carried by cranial nerves VII, IX, and X.

Cuneate and gracile nuclei

Nuclei located in the medulla oblongata that receive somatosensory information from the body.

Respiratory rhythmicity center

A vital reflex center located in the medulla oblongata that controls lung reflexes.

Transverse tracts

White matter tracts in the pons composed of axons from the cerebellum that wrap around the pons.

Pneumotaxic and apneustic centers

Gray matter centers in the pons that control the respiratory rhythmicity center of the medulla oblongata.

Vestibulospinal tract

A descending motor pathway originating in the vestibular nucleus that subconsciously regulates balance, equilibrium, and muscle tone based on inner ear information.

Vermis

A long central strip of tissue that connects the left and right hemispheres of the cerebellum.

Folia

Numerous folds of gray matter across the cerebellar cortex that increase its surface area.

Arbor vitae

White matter tracts within the cerebellum that connect the hemispheres, visible when the vermis is sectioned.

Cerebellar peduncles

Tracts that connect the cerebellum to the transverse tracts and the rest of the brain.

Spinocerebellar tracts

An ascending sensory pathway that relays proprioceptive information from body receptors through first-order and second-order neurons directly to the cerebellar cortex without a third-order neuron.

Tectum

The roof of the mesencephalon that contains the sensory nuclei of the corpora quadrigemina.

Cerebral peduncles

Bulges of white matter tracts in the mesencephalon traveling to and from the cerebrum and diencephalon.

Red nucleus

A highly vascularized nucleus in the mesencephalon that issues cerebral and cerebellar reflexive commands to motor neurons of the limbs.

Substantia nigra

Darkened nuclei in the mesencephalon that relay motor commands from the basal nuclei down to most motor neurons.

Corpora quadrigemina

Four nuclei situated on the tectum of the mesencephalon that process visual and auditory sensory inputs.

Superior colliculi

The two upper nuclei of the corpora quadrigemina that receive visual input from the thalamus.

Inferior colliculi

The two lower nuclei of the corpora quadrigemina that receive auditory input from the medulla oblongata.

Rubrospinal tract

A descending motor pathway originating from the red nucleus that subconsciously regulates muscle tone in the upper limbs.

Tectospinal tract

A descending motor pathway originating in the colliculi that subconsciously directs reflexive head and body movements in response to sudden sights or loud sounds.

Reticular formation

An elongated core of gray matter running through the medulla, pons, and mesencephalon floor that regulates visceral sensations, emotional state, balance, and the sleep-wake state.

Reticulospinal tract

A descending motor pathway originating in the reticular formation that subconsciously controls muscle tone related to posture and balance.

Thalamus

Two large lobes in the diencephalon connected across the third ventricle by the interthalamic adhesion that act as a sensory relay center to the cerebral cortex.

Lateral and medial geniculates

Nuclei projecting from the lateral aspects of each thalamic lobe that relay sensory information to the cortex.

Hypothalamus

The floor of the diencephalon inferior to the third ventricle that regulates behavioral drives, homeostasis, the autonomic nervous system, circadian rhythms, and endocrine function via the pituitary gland.

Mammillary body

A distinctive nucleus that projects out from the inferior surface of the hypothalamus.

Epithalamus

The posterior and superior division of the diencephalon consisting of a membrane over the thalamus and containing the pineal gland.

Pineal gland

An endocrine projection of the epithalamus controlled by the hypothalamus based on visual information that secretes hormones regulating sleep-wake cycles.

Cochlear and Vestibular nuclei

responsible for auditory and equilibrium realted information