Nervous System (2)

Flashcards covering key concepts and details about the anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system.

Which of the following is a function of the Hemispheria Cerebri?

Initiates motor functions

Which area of the brain sends impulses to skeletal muscles?

Primary motor area (precentral gyrus, frontal lobe)

Which area is responsible for motor speech (ability to speak and write)?

Broca’s area (base of precentral gyrus in dominant hemisphere)

Which brain region is essential for language comprehension (spoken and written)?

Wernicke’s area (posterior superior temporal gyrus, dominant hemisphere)

Which area integrates sensory input and coordinates access to memories?

General interpretation area (temporal, parietal & occipital lobes)

Which area is involved in cognition, planning, behavior, and memory?

Frontal association area (prefrontal cortex)

Which part of the brain receives input from sensory receptors in the skin, joints, and muscles?

Somatosensory area (parietal lobe)

Which lobe of the brain contains the visual area?

Occipital lobe

Which lobe of the brain contains the auditory area?

Temporal lobe

Which brain region is responsible for smell perception?

Olfactory area (insula/temporal lobe/limbic system)

Which brain region processes taste sensations?

Gustatory area (insula)

Which part of the cerebral cortex is responsible for initiating voluntary movements of skeletal muscles?

Primary motor cortex (precentral gyrus)

Loss of sensation in a specific body region is most likely due to damage in which cortical area?

Primary somatosensory cortex (postcentral gyrus)

In the somatotopic map (homunculus), which body part has a disproportionately large representation in both motor and sensory cortices?

Hand

Which cerebral hemisphere controls the right side of the body?

Left hemisphere

What explains the large area of the brain dedicated to the lips and tongue on the sensory homunculus?

These regions have high sensitivity and require fine control.

At what age does differentiation of brain waves typically become established and detectable on an EEG?

By the end of the first year of life

Which brain wave pattern is typically associated with being awake but quiet?

Alpha waves

Which brain wave pattern is typically associated with being awake during intense mental activity?

Beta waves

Which brain wave pattern is typically associated with being asleep?

Delta waves

What type of fibers interconnect neural areas of the cortex within a single cerebral hemisphere?

Association fibers

What type of fibers connect the two cerebral hemispheres?

Commissures (e.g., corpus callosum, anterior/posterior commissures)

What type of fibers link the cortex to the diencephalon, brain stem, cerebellum, and spinal cord?

Projection fibers

Which brain circuit helps fine-tune movements and receives input from the motor cortex, especially for the hands?

Basal ganglia circuit

Which brain circuit is involved in the planning of movement and sequencing of motor actions?

Basal ganglia circuit

Which brain circuit contributes to the motor expression of emotions, such as smiling or gesturing?

Basal ganglia circuit

Which structure is involved in controlling eye movement and is connected to the cortex, substantia nigra, thalamus, and subthalamic nuclei?

Basal ganglia circuit

Which of the following functions is not associated with the basal ganglia circuit?

Initiating conscious sensory perception

Where do basal ganglia neurons send their output to, in order to influence movement?

Motor cortex (via thalamus)

What is one major function of the basal ganglia in relation to voluntary movements?

Control voluntary movements

How do the basal ganglia help refine movement execution?

By inhibiting competing movements that might interfere with the desired movement

Which of the following is least likely to be a function of basal ganglia neurons?

Initiating sensory signals to the parietal lobe

Which part of the brain is especially responsible for generating emotional memory?

Limbic system

Emotional bonding and behavioral responses are mainly regulated by what category of brain functions?

Limbic functions

Which system contains the amygdala, cingulate gyrus, and parts of the hypothalamus?

Limbic system

What part of the brain includes structures involved in both memory and emotional processing?

Limbic system

Which structure connects various components of the limbic system and acts as a major fiber tract?

Fornix

Which part of the brain is associated with storing short-term memory?

Frontal lobes

What structure is primarily involved in long-term memory formation?

Hippocampus

Which type of long-term memory is formed quickly by strengthening existing connections between nerve cells?

Memorization-type memory

Which type of memory involves slower processes, including the growth and development of new brain connections?

Learning of skills and procedures

What part of the brain is primarily involved in the rapid formation of memorization-type memories?

Existing nerve connections in the brain

When learning a new skill, what cellular mechanism is similar to brain growth and development?

Building new brain connections

Which hemisphere of the brain specializes in language and logical operations?

Left hemisphere

Which hemisphere is responsible for processing visual patterns and recognizing spatial relationships?

Right hemisphere

Which hemisphere of the brain is involved in emotional processing and nonverbal communication?

Right hemisphere

The left hemisphere specializes in detailed activities related to motor control. What kind of tasks would this include?

Fine motor control, like hand movements

Which hemisphere of the brain is associated with mathematical and logical thinking?

Left hemisphere

What skill is the right hemisphere particularly involved in, that requires creativity and artistic ability?

Music and artistic skills

Which part of the brain conveys sensory information (except olfactory) to the cortex and between cortical areas?

Thalamus

The thalamus contains six groups of nuclei on each side and plays a role in organizing, amplifying, or toning down sensory signals. What factor determines how signals are processed?

Priority of the signal

Which brain region is involved in the sensation of pain, temperature, and touch?

Thalamus

The thalamus is involved in regulating which emotional and physiological processes?

Emotions, alerting, and arousal mechanisms

Where is the hypothalamus located in relation to the optic chiasm and mammillary bodies?

Between the optic chiasm and mammillary bodies, under the thalamus

Which brain structure is the main visceral control center, regulating heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and gland secretion?

Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is part of the limbic system and plays a role in which defensive emotional responses?

Fear and rage

Which brain region regulates basic functions like temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior?

Hypothalamus

What brain structure is involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and memory, and is connected to the hippocampus?

Mammillary body

Which gland is regulated by the hypothalamus for its endocrine function?

Pituitary gland

Where is the epithalamus located in the brain?

Roof of the third ventricle

The epithalamus is connected to the limbic system and plays a role in which physiological process?

Emotions

What does the pineal gland, found in the epithalamus, regulate?

Circadian

Which part of the brain produces automatic behaviors that are necessary for survival?

Brainstem

Which part of the brain contains cell groups that are linked to the cerebellum?

Brainstem

The brainstem contains which formation that is crucial for regulating arousal and consciousness?

Reticular formation

Which part of the brain is involved with the innervation of the face and head?

Brainstem

How many pairs of cranial nerves exit from the brainstem?

10

What does the cerebral aqueduct connect?

The 3rd ventricle of the diencephalon to the 4th ventricle.

What is the function of the cerebral peduncles?

Connect the cerebrum to the brainstem and thalamus.

What is the corpora quadrigemina involved in?

Reflexes for visual and auditory processing.

What do the superior colliculi control?

Visual reflexes (e.g. closing eyes in bright light).

What do the inferior colliculi control?

Reflexive responses to sound (e.g. turning head toward sound).

What is the substantia nigra responsible for?

Producing dopamine and controlling movement.

Where is the red nucleus located?

Deep to the substantia nigra.

What does the red nucleus do?

Relays motor information from cerebellum and cortex to the spinal cord.

What is the pons mostly composed of?

Fiber tracts.

Which part of the brainstem contains nuclei that regulate basic breathing rhythm?

Pons.

What is the function of the pneumotaxic center?

Inhibits the inspiratory center in the medulla to limit inspiration time.

What is the function of the apneustic center?

Excites the inspiratory center in the medulla to prolong inspiration

What structure connects the two cerebellar hemispheres?

Vermis.

Which term refers to the thin folds on the surface of the cerebellum?

Folia.

Which white matter structure inside the cerebellum is called the 'tree of life'?

Arbor Vitae.

Which cells are the main output neurons of the cerebellar cortex and are crucial for motor coordination?

Purkinje cells.

The cerebellum connects to the brainstem via how many cerebellar peduncles?

Three.

Which cerebellar peduncle connects the cerebellum to the pons?

Middle cerebellar peduncle.

What are the deep clusters of gray matter within the cerebellum called?

Deep cerebellar nuclei.

Which brain region coordinates skeletal muscle activity and body movement subconsciously?

Cerebellum.

Which function does the cerebellum help regulate to maintain balance and upright body position?

Equilibrium and posture.

Cerebellar control is mostly:

Ipsilateral.

Which of the following describes the cerebellum's role in motor activity?

It compares intended movement with actual performance and fine-tunes it.

Which type of movement is the cerebellum especially important for?

High precision movements.

Cerebellum receives input from all of the following EXCEPT:

Retina (vision)

Which condition involves a loss of coordination of motor movements due to cerebellar damage?

Asynergia.

Which term refers to the inability to judge distance or when to stop a movement?

Dysmetria.

What term describes uncoordinated walking and a tendency to fall from cerebellar damage?

Ataxia.

What kind of speech issue occurs with cerebellar lesions?

Slurred speech.

What structure allows cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to drain into the venous sinuses?

Arachnoid granulations.

Where are arachnoid granulations located?

They pierce through the dura mater into venous sinuses.

What does the subarachnoid space contain?

Trabeculae, CSF, arteries, and veins.

Which meningeal layer contains the venous sinuses?

Dura mater.