Neuroanatomy and the Central Nervous System

Detailed flashcards covering the anatomy of the brain, cranial nerves, ventricles, protective layers, and spinal cord organization based on lecture notes.

What are the two primary components of the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

The brain and cranial nerves.

In the longitudinal axis of the forebrain, what direction does "rostral" refer to?

Anterior (in front of).

From outermost to innermost, what are the three layers of the meninges?

1. Dura Mater (outer layer), 2. Arachnoid Mater (middle layer), 3. Pia Mater (inner layer).

What are the functions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

Supplies the brain with nutrients, ions, oxygen, minerals, and vitamins, while also exchanging wastes and protecting the brain.

Which ventricle supplies cerebrospinal fluid to the cerebrum?

Lateral Ventricle (there are two, left and right).

What structure connects the 3rd and 4th ventricles?

Cerebral Aqueduct.

Which specific cells create and circulate cerebrospinal fluid in the Central Nervous System?

Ependymal Cells.

What role do astrocytes play in the brain?

They maintain cerebrospinal fluid by making the blood brain barrier and controlling what enters or leaves the fluid from the blood.

The Medulla Oblongata contains nine centers; which two are specifically mentioned for controlling vital functions?

The Cardiovascular center (heart rate and blood pressure) and the Respiratory Pattern Center (breathing rate).

Which parts of the brain constitute the brainstem?

The Medulla Oblongata, Pons, and Midbrain (Mesencephalon).

In the Midbrain (Mesencephalon), what is the function of the Superior and Inferior Colliculi?

The Superior Colliculi handle visual reflexes, and the Inferior Colliculi handle hearing reflexes.

What is the primary function of the Thalamus in the Diencephalon?

It serves as a relay center, deciding where information from the midbrain is sent.

Which part of the epithalamus produces melatonin to control circadian rhythm?

Pineal Gland.

The cerebellum is responsible for which two major functions?

Motor coordination and proprioception.

Match the cerebral lobe to its primary function: Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, and Temporal.

Frontal: Critical thinking and voluntary motor movement; Parietal: General senses (touch, temperature, pain, pressure); Occipital: Vision; Temporal: Hearing and equilibrium.

In cerebral white matter, what is the function of the Corpus Callosum?

It allows communication between the left and right brain hemispheres.

Which components make up the Limbic System?

The hypothalamus, thalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus.

Which cranial nerve is purely sensory and responsible for vision?

CN II: Optic Nerve.

Which three cranial nerves are responsible for eye movement?

CN III (Oculomotor), CN IV (Trochlear), and CN VI (Abducens).

What are the functions of CN V (Trigeminal Nerve)?

Facial sensory (touch, pressure, temperature, and pain) and jaw movement.

Which cranial nerve is responsible for both facial expressions (motor) and taste (sensory)?

CN VII: Facial Nerve.

What is the name and function of Cranial Nerve X?

Vagus Nerve; it controls visceral organs (breathing, heart rate, digestion) and visceral sensory functions.

In the spinal cord, what is the functional difference between gray matter and white matter?

Gray matter is the processing center, while white matter contains the motor (efferent) and sensory (afferent) pathways.

Identify the three types of horns in the spinal cord's gray matter and their functions.

Dorsal Horn (processes sensory information), Ventral Horn (processes somatic motor information), and Lateral Horn (processes visceral motor information).

What is the difference between the Dorsal Root and the Ventral Root in the spinal cord?

The Dorsal Root is associated with afferent (sensory) signals, while the Ventral Root is associated with efferent (motor) signals.

What type of neurons run through the ventral ramus and dorsal ramus?

Both afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) neurons.

Why is the spinal cord considered an organ?

Because it is made of two or more tissues, including nervous tissue, blood, and connective tissues (simple squamous, dense regular, and dense irregular).