Exam 4 Chapter 14 HW + Study Guide

Sensory information is processed and relayed to the cerebrum by the

thalamus

The ________ provides the principal link between the nervous and endocrine systems.

hypothalamus

When you perform a physical activity that you have not done in a while, such as riding a bike, which area of your brain coordinates your movements with learned experiences?

cerebellum

The wall between the lateral ventricles is called the

septum pellucidum.

The passageway between the lateral ventricles and the third ventricle is the

interventricular foramen.

The brain requires a substantial blood supply. The vessels that deliver blood to the brain are the

internal carotid and vertebral arteries.

The dural fold that projects into the longitudinal fissure between cerebral hemispheres is called the

falx cerebri.

In each ventricle is a blood vessel network called the ________ that produces cerebrospinal fluid.

choroid plexus

Tony hit his head in a car accident. The physicians diagnosed him with a subdural hemorrhage. Which of the following correctly states where the bleeding has occurred in his brain?

Blood is between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaves the central nervous system (CNS) and enters the circulation at the __________.

arachnoid granulations

The dural fold that divides the two cerebellar hemispheres is the __________.

falx cerebelli

The medulla oblongata relays auditory stimuli to the

inferior colliculi.

The corpora quadrigemina is composed of the

superior and inferior colliculi.

Injury to this center in the mesencephalon may lead to Parkinson's disease.

substantia nigra

Overseeing the postural muscles of the body and making rapid adjustments to maintain balance and equilibrium are functions of the

cerebellum.

The presence of many large, highly-branched Purkinje cells in a sample of brain tissue indicates that it came from the

cerebellar cortex.

The cerebellum can be permanently damaged by stroke or temporarily affected by drugs or alcohol. The resulting disturbance in motor control is known as

ataxia

Which of the following is true regarding the pineal gland?

It is part of the epithalamus and secretes melatonin.

The anterior nuclei of the thalamus

are part of the limbic system.

The thalamus is often called the "air traffic controller" of the brain because it

determines the routing of incoming sensory information to the correct cerebral cortex area.

Which of these is NOT a property of the epithalamus?

It is the roof of the fourth ventricle.

The system that functions in tying together emotions, motivation and memory is the

limbic system.

Following a head injury, Kevin can think of the word he wants to say but cannot make his mouth form the correct sounds to produce the word. He is most likely suffering from damage to

Broca's area.

Damage to the substantia nigra causes a decrease in the neurotransmitter dopamine. This causes a gradual, generalized increase in muscle tone, which is the main symptom of

Parkinson's disease.

The two cerebral hemispheres are separated by the

longitudinal fissure.

Cortical regions that interpret sensory information or coordinate motor responses are called ________ areas.

association

The region of the brain responsible for predicting the consequence of events or actions is the

prefrontal cerebral cortex.

The highest levels of information processing occur in the

cerebrum.

Jane suffers from chronic seizures and in order to control the problem undergoes surgery in which the fibers of the corpus callosum are cut. As a result of this surgery she would likely be unable to

verbally identify an object placed in her left hand.

The primary somatosensory cortex is found on the __________.

postcentral gyrus

The only sensation that is received directly by the cerebrum is

olfaction.

Which cranial nerve sends balance sensations to the brain?

vestibulocochlear

________ is a condition resulting from an inflammation of a facial nerve.

Bell's palsy

Difficulty in swallowing may be a sign of damage to which cranial nerve(s)?

glossopharyngeal and vagus

The patient has the following symptoms: change in vocal tone, problems swallowing, inability to control urination, erratic heart rate, and gastric problems. You would identify the problem as being related to the

vagus nerve.

The brain develops four major regions:

the cerebellum, cerebrum, diencephalon, and brainstem

Cranial meninges from deep to superficial:

Pia mater, Arachnoid mater, Dura mater.

Function of dural folds:

Support and stabilize the brain within the skull.

Location of subdural space and subarachnoid space:

Subdural space: Between dura mater and arachnoid mater.

Subarachnoid space: Between arachnoid mater and pia mater, containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Functions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF):

Buoyancy, protection (cushioning), chemical stability.

Location and composition of choroid plexus:

Found in the ventricles of the brain.

Neuroglial cells (ependymal cells) are present.

produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Cause of hydrocephalus:

Imbalance in production, circulation, or absorption of CSF, leading to fluid accumulation and increased intracranial pressure.

Arteries supplying the brain and major vein carrying venous blood:

Arteries: Internal carotid arteries and vertebral arteries.

Vein: Internal jugular vein.

Medical term for a stroke:

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA).

Importance of the blood-brain barrier:

Protects the brain from harmful substances while allowing essential nutrients to pass through.

Consequences of damaged or non-functioning astrocytes:

Disruption of blood-brain barrier function, leading to potential exposure of the brain to toxins and pathogens.

Neuroglial cell producing a blood-CSF barrier:

Ependymal cells.

Decussation of pyramids:

Crossing over of motor tracts from one side of the brain to the opposite side of the spinal cord.

Major groups of reflex centers in the medulla oblongata:

Cardiac center: Regulates heart rate.

Vasomotor center: Controls blood vessel diameter.

Cardiac center:

Regulates heart rate

Vasomotor center:

Controls blood vessel diameter.

Function of cuneate and gracile nuclei:

Relay sensory information from the limbs and trunk to the thalamus.

Brain structures linked by the pons:

Cerebellum, medulla oblongata, thalamus, cerebral cortex, and connected to spinal cord

Pontine centers and their function:

1. Apneustic center: Regulates breathing depth.

2. Pneumotaxic center: Modulates respiratory rate.

Function of Apneustic center:

regulates breathing depth

functions of Pneumotaxic center

Modulates respiratory rate.

Function of transverse pontine fibers:

connect different regions of the brainstem, facilitating coordination between the cerebellum and cerebral cortex in motor control and sensory integration.

Structures comprising the corpora quadrigemina:

Superior colliculi (visual reflexes) and inferior colliculi (auditory reflexes).

Neurotransmitter released by neurons in the substantia nigra:

Dopamine.

Loss of activity in _____ _____neurons causes Parkinson's disease.

Headquarters of the reticular formation:

Throughout the brainstem and into the diencephalon.

Reticular activating system (RAS), its location, and function:

1. Located in the reticular formation of the midbrain.

2. Maintains consciousness and alertness.

3. Damage to RAS can lead to coma or persistent vegetative state.

Regions/nuclei of white and gray matter in the midbrain and their functions:

White matter: Contains ascending and descending tracts.

Gray matter: Includes nuclei involved in sensory and motor functions.

Regions/nuclei of white matter in the midbrain and their function:

Contains ascending and descending tracts.

Regions/nuclei of gray matter in the midbrain and their function:

• Periaqueductal gray (PAG) involved in pain suppression, autonomic function, and behavioral responses to fear and anxiety.

• Reticular formation

  responsible for many vital functions, including arousal, consciousness, sleep-wake cycles, coordination of certain movements, and cardiovascular control.

• Red nucleus involved in movement coordination.

• Gigantocellular reticular nuclei

  involved in motor coordination.

• Raphe nuclei

  these nuclei are involved in pain and mood regulation.

• Parvocellular reticular nuclei

  these nuclei are involved in breathing regulation. 

Composition of the Purkinje cell layer:

Large, elaborate neurons in the cerebellum with extensive dendritic arborizations; receive inputs from parallel fibers and climbing fibers; important for motor coordination and learning processes.

Location of arbor vitae and its appearance:

Found in the cerebellum.

Arbor vitae ("tree of life") refers to the white matter pattern resembling a tree.

Two main functions of the cerebellum:

Coordinates voluntary movements.

Maintains posture and balance.

Consequences of permanently damaged cerebellum and definition of ataxia:

1. Impaired motor coordination and balance.

2. Ataxia: Lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movements.

Regions/nuclei of gray and white matter in the cerebellum and their functions:

1. Gray matter: Contains cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei.

2. White matter: Myelinated axons that connect different parts of the cerebellum.

Regions/nuclei of gray matter in the cerebellum and their function:

Contains cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei.

Regions/nuclei of white matter in the cerebellum and their function:

• Dentate nucleus

  Receives input from the cerebellum's lateral hemispheres and sends output to the red and ventrolateral thalamic nucleus

• Emboliform and globose nucleus (interposed nucleus)

  Receives input from the spinal, auditory, and visual centers in the intermediate zones and sends output to the red nucleus

• Fastigial nucleus

  Receives input from the vermis and cerebellar afferents that carry vestibular, somatosensory, auditory, and visual information and sends efferents to the vestibular and reticular nuclei

• Arbor Vitae

  The white matter of the cerebellum that resembles a tree; contains myelinated axons that connect different parts of the cerebellum, facilitating communication within the cerebellum and with other parts of the brain.

Three regions comprising the diencephalon:

Thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus.

Endocrine gland in the epithalamus and hormone secreted:

Pineal gland Secretes melatonin.

Final relay point for sensory information ascending to the cerebral cortex:

Thalamus.

Function of the thalamus as a filter:

The thalamus selectively relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex, filtering and prioritizing sensory inputs for further processing.

Nuclei/bodies in the thalamus and their functions:

contains nuclei such as the

ventral posterior nucleus (sensory relay),

lateral geniculate nucleus (visual relay),

medial geniculate nucleus (auditory relay),

each responsible for relaying specific sensory information to the cerebral cortex for processing.

Endocrine gland connected to the hypothalamus and its connection name:

Pituitary gland and Connected by the infundibulum.

Hormones secreted by the hypothalamus:

Oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

Hypothalamic region responsible for thermoregulation:

Preoptic area.

Regions/nuclei in the hypothalamus and their functions:

includes nuclei such as the

supraoptic nucleus (regulates water balance),

paraventricular nucleus (controls autonomic functions),

arcuate nucleus (regulates appetite and metabolism),

each playing distinct roles in regulating various physiological processes and behaviors.

System called the motivational system:

Limbic system.

Function of the hippocampus:

Formation of long-term memories and spatial navigation.

Limbic system part controlling the "fight or flight" response:

Amygdala.

Limbic system part linking emotions with specific memories:

Hippocampus and amygdala.

Function of gyri:

are the folds or ridges on the surface of the cerebral cortex that increase surface area, allowing for more neurons and higher cognitive functions such as perception, memory, and attention.

Structure separating the two cerebral hemispheres:

Corpus callosum.

Structure dividing the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe:

Central sulcus.

Types of fibers in cerebral white matter and brain regions they connect:

1. Association fibers: Connect different parts of the same hemisphere.

2. Commissural fibers: Connect corresponding gray areas of the two hemispheres.

3. Projection fibers: Connect cerebral cortex to lower CNS centers.

Basal nuclei and their location:

Found deep within the cerebral hemispheres.

Functions of caudate nucleus and lentiform nucleus (putamen and globus pallidus):

1. Caudate nucleus: Regulates voluntary motor movements.

2. Lentiform nucleus: Controls motor functions and muscle tone.

Functions of Caudate nucleus:

Regulates voluntary motor movements.

functions of Lentiform nucleus:

Controls motor functions and muscle tone.

Main functional areas of the cerebral cortex and type of information they process:

1. Sensory areas: Receive and process sensory information from the body (e.g., touch, vision, hearing).

2. Motor areas: Control voluntary movement and coordination of muscles.

3. Association areas: Integrate sensory and motor information, supporting higher cognitive functions like reasoning, problem-solving, and language comprehension.

3.5

Lobes/areas of the cerebral cortex and their functions:

Frontal lobe: Motor control, planning, decision-making, emotions.

Parietal lobe: Sensory perception, spatial awareness, feelings, pain.

Temporal lobe: Auditory perception, memory, language.

Occipital lobe: Visual processing, recognize colors and shapes.

Definition of Wernicke's area

Language comprehension.

Definition of Broca's area:

Speech production.

Definition of electroencephalogram (EEG):

Recording of electrical activity in the brain, used to diagnose epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

Primary function of the olfactory nerve (CN I):

Smell.

Primary function of the optic nerve (CN II):

Vision

Occurrence at the optic chiasm:

Partial crossover of optic nerve fibers.