NEUR 101 Lecture 3 (1.2-1.4)

Gray matter

contains more cell bodies and dendrites, which lack myelin

white matter

consists mostly of axons with white myelin sheaths / myelinated

cerebral cortex

outermost, convoluted layer of the brain - has gyri (raised or ridged) and sulci (furrows)

frontal

most anterior region

parietal

lies between the frontal and occipital lobes

occipital

posterior region, visual processing

temporal

lateral region, auditory processing

corpus callosum

a bundle of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres —> very strong

sylvian fissure

boundary of the temporal lobe

central sulcus

divides the frontal lobe from parietal lobe

postcentral gyrus

a strip of cortex behind the cenrtal cortex, important for touch

Precentral gyrus

in the frontal lobe, important for motor control

pyramidal cells

the most prominent neurons in cerebral cortex

basal ganglia

important in motor control and consist mainly of the caudate, nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus

amygdala

emotional regulation and perception of odor

hippocampus and fornix

learning

cingulate gyrus

attention

olfactory bulb

sense of smell

thalamus

a cluster of nuclei that relay sensory info.

hypothalamus

contains nuclei with many functions; also controls the pituitary

superior colliculi

visual processing

inferior colliculi

auditory processing

substantia nigra

part of basal ganglia

reticular formation

involved with sleep and arousal

periaqueductal gray

pain perception

cerebellum

attached to the brainstem; crucial for motor coordination and control; participates in some types of learning

pons

contains sensory and motor nuclei; origin of some cranial nerves

medulla

marks transition from brain to spinal cord; drives essential processes such as respiration and heart rate; origin of some cranial nerves

dura mater

tough outermost layer

pia mater

delicate innermost layer

arachnoid membrane

lies between the other two (dura and pia); filled with cerebrospinal fluid

meninges

surround and protect the spinal cord

meningitis

an acute infection of the meninges

can be life threatening

caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections

meningiomas

tumors formed in the meninges

usually benign and asymptomatic

in rare instances, displaces brain tissue and causes damage

ventricular system

“drainage system“ - a series of chambers filled with CSF

lateral ventricle

in each hemispheres, extends into all four lobes and is lines with the choroid plexus, a membrane that produces CSF —> flows into the third ventricle at the midline, then into the fourth ventricle where it exits to circulate over the brain and spinal cord

glymphatic system

drains waste in CSF-derived fluids during sleep

cerebral arteries

the brain depends on an ample supply of oxygenated blood

stroke

caused by the rupture or blockage of blood vessels, leading to insufficient oxygen supply

TIA = transient ischemic attack

like a “mini stroke“