Brain structures

What is a sulcus in the brain?

An identifiable groove or separation in brain regions.

What distinguishes a fissure from a sulcus?

A fissure is a deep sulcus that easily identifies separate parts of the brain.

What is the significance of gyri in the brain?

More gyri increase surface area, leading to greater processing power.

What are the three layers of epithelium covering the brain?

Dura Matter (outermost), Arachnoid Matter (middle), and Pia Matter (innermost).

What is the function of the subarachnoid space?

It is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and contains veins and arteries for blood flow.

What is the Circle of Willis?

The arterial flow of blood to the brain, crucial for supplying nutrients.

What is the role of the blood-brain barrier?

It separates blood from brain tissue and regulates the transport of nutrients and waste.

Name the four main lobes of the brain.

Frontal, Temporal, Parietal, and Occipital lobes.

What is the function of the cerebral cortex?

It is responsible for higher-order thought, reasoning, and empathy.

What role does the cerebellum play in brain function?

It is involved in motor control, attention, and language.

What is the function of the thalamus?

It acts as a 'central station' that processes inputs and directs them to appropriate areas.

What functions are regulated by the hypothalamus?

Appetite, circadian rhythms, temperature control, and hormonal control with the pituitary gland.

What is the corpus callosum's role in the brain?

It facilitates communication between the left and right hemispheres.

What autonomic functions does the medulla control?

Blood pressure, heart rate, and reflexes like vomiting.

What is the function of the pons?

It conducts signals between the brain and cerebellum and communicates with the thalamus.

What sensory function is associated with the olfactory bulb?

It is responsible for the sense of smell.

What is the visual cortex responsible for?

Processing visual information.

What is the optic chiasm?

The point where optic nerves cross at the base of the brain.

What is the function of the optic nerve?

It transmits visual information from the eye to the optic chiasm.

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?

It controls involuntary bodily functions.

What type of sensations does the proprioceptive system provide?

Balance and positional change.

What are the five senses involved in exteroceptive sensations?

Touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell.

What is the function of the pinnae in the auditory system?

They funnel sound waves into the ear.

What is the role of the cochlea in hearing?

It converts sound vibrations into neural signals.

How many taste sensations are there, and what are they?

Five: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

What is the function of the olfactory bulb?

It processes smell by interpreting chemical signals.

What is the role of the retina in vision?

It detects light and converts it into neural signals.

What is the significance of the blind spot in the eye?

It is an area without photoreceptors where the optic nerve exits the eye.

What is myelin and its function in the nervous system?

Myelin is a protective sheath that speeds up electrical impulses along nerves.

What is an action potential?

An electrical impulse that travels along a neuron.

What are the two types of nerve fibers based on myelination?

Myelinated and unmyelinated fibers.

What is the role of Schwann cells in the nervous system?

They produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system.

What is the function of the ciliary muscle in the eye?

It adjusts the shape of the lens to focus light.

What are rods and cones in the retina responsible for?

Rods detect light intensity (shades of grey), and cones detect color.

What is the function of the lacrimal gland?

It produces tears for lubrication and cleaning of the eye.

What is the significance of the optic chiasma?

It is where optic nerve fibers cross, allowing visual information from both eyes to be processed by both hemispheres of the brain.

What is the role of the nasal cavity in the sense of smell?

It houses olfactory receptors that detect chemical substances.

What is the main function of the auditory nerve?

It transmits sound information from the cochlea to the brain.

What is the difference between the central and peripheral nervous systems?

The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS includes all other neural elements.

Sulcus

Identifiable groove or separation in brain regions.

Fissure

Deep sulcus, easy to identify the separate parts of the brain.

Gyrus

The more gyrus = more surface area = more processing power.

Dura Matter

Outermost covering of the brain.

Arachnoid Matter

Middle covering of the brain.

Pia Matter

Last layer of covering on the brain.

Subarachnoid space

Space between the Arachnoid and Pia Matter filled with CSF and has veins and arteries for blood flow.

Blood Brain Barrier

Constituted by the layers of the brain covering, it regulates the transport of nutrients across membranes to the brain.

Circle of Willis

The arterial flow of blood to the brain, supplying nutrients like oxygen and energy.

Lobes

Frontal, Temporal, Parietal, Occipital - areas of the brain to help map for ease of locating purpose.

Ventricles

Holds the CSF for cushion and support, as well as nutrient transport.

Cerebral Cortex

Responsible for higher order thought, reasoning, empathy, etc.

Cerebellum

Involved in motor control, attention, and language.

Thalamus

'Central station' that processes inputs and directs them to the area they need to go.

Hypothalamus

Regulates appetite, circadian rhythms, temperature control, and hormonal control (with pituitary gland).

Corpus Collossum

Facilitates communication between the left and right hemispheres.

Medulla

Controls involuntary/autonomic functions such as blood pressure and heart rate.

Pons

Conducts signals from the brain to cerebellum & medulla, and communicates back to thalamus.

Olfactory Bulb

Responsible for the sense of smell.

Visual Cortex

Involved in vision processing.

Optic Chiasm

Where optic nerves cross on the base of the brain.

Optic Nerve

Transmits visual information from the eye to the optic chiasm.