Brain Flash cards

Cerebral cortex

deeply folded layer of nerve tissue making up the surface of the cerebrum

Corpus callosum

 the bundle of nerve fibers carrying information between the two cerebral hemispheres

Cerebrum

4 lobes of brain

Cerebellum

structure under the cerebrum

Sulcus

a depression or fissure in the surface of the brains (valleys)

Gyrus

a ridge on the cerebral cortex. It is generally surrounded by on or more sulci (hills)

Important sulci and gyri

central sulcus, precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus

4 lobes of the brain

frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital

Occipital lobe

Processing visual information

Recognizing different shapes and colors, complex visual representations

Parietal lobe (4)

* integrating sensory information from skin


* processing taste
* higher-level visual processing (spatial navigation) 
* attention

Temporal lobe

* Higher-level visual processing (object recognition)
* Processing auditory information & language
* Encoding new memories

Hippocampus

* found in the temporal lobe
* encodes new memories

Amygdala

integrates memory and emotion

Frontal lobe (4)

* Coordination of voluntary movement
* Language production
* Problem solving, thinking, planning, organizing
* Personality and Emotions

Phineas Gage

Thalamus

“relay station” to integrate and relay sensory information to other brain parts

Limbic System

 a group of structures that maintain emotion and motivation

Hypothalamus

sends hormonal signals to body (through the **pituitary gland**)

Forebrain

* lncludes the 4 lobes
* subcortical structures

Midbrain

* under the thalamus
* Triggers reflexes to sound, coordinates eye movement
* Coordinates motor and sensory input by blocking unwanted body movements
* Some regions in midbrain + some parts of forebrain = **basal ganglia**

Basal ganglia

* group of structures that help control complex body movements

Hindbrain

* has a role in glucose regulation, sleep, movement
* includes the cerebellum, pons, and medulla

Cerebellum

coordinates motor movements, helps to learn new motor skills, spatial and temporal perception

Pons

for breathing and posture

Medulla

connects neural pathways from brain to spinal cord  that control basic functions (examples: breathing, heart rate, swallowing)

Midbrain + pons + medulla

= brainstem

Earliest brain structure was

a nerve cord like the modern Lancelet

Network

group of nerve tracts connecting a series of brain regions

4 types of brain waves

Beta, alpha, theta, delta

Beta

15-30 Hz - awake, normal alert consciousness

Alpha

9-14 Hz - relaxed, calm, meditation, creative visualization

Theta

4-8 Hz - Deep relaxation, meditation, and problem solving

Delta

1-3 Hz - deep, dreamless, sleep

Types of brain slices

Sagittal, coronal, horizantal

What do you call the top of the brain

superior/dorsal

What do you call the bottom of the brain?

inferior/ventral

What do you call the front of the brain?

anterior

What do you call the back of the brain?

posterior

Contralateral

opposite side

Ipsilateral

the same side

Unilateral

one side of the brain

Bilateral

both sides of the brain

Proximal

near

Distal

far

Neurons

* Transmits signal to other nerve cells, muscles, or glands
* Classified by function, location, neurotransmitters, and shape
* Synapse with dendrites but can also synapse with cell bodies

Gila cells

* Support cells
* Clear toxins, support transport of information, and protects the system when there’s damage
* Oligodendrocytes, microglia, astrocytes