Central Nervous System (CNS) and Brain Anatomy

Flashcards covering the functions, anatomy, and physiological structures of the human nervous system based on lecture notes.

Grey Matter

Nervous system tissue composed of cell bodies and unmyelinated neurons.

White Matter

Nervous system tissue composed mostly of long range myelinated neural axons, functioning like telephone wires.

Meninges

The protective layers that wrap around the brain.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Fluid found in brain spaces that cushions, protects, and carries nutrients; failure to drain properly can cause brain damage.

Corpus Callosum

The bridge that connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

Hypothalamus

A brain structure that helps maintain homeostasis and regulates hunger, thirst, sleep, and body temperature.

Pituitary Gland

The gland that holds and releases hormones, controlled by the hypothalamus.

Thalamus

The "sorting centre" of the brain that receives sensory information from the spinal cord and relays it to the correct region of the cerebrum.

Medulla Oblongata

A part of the brain stem that controls heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and other unconscious reflexes.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain that ensures smooth movements and coordinates complex movements and balance.

Cerebrum

The central processing area of the brain involved in conscious thought and where non-reflexive associations are made.

Sulci

Grooves that divide the cerebral hemispheres into four lobes: frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal.

Broca’s area

An area in the frontal lobe involved in the speech musculature, including the lips, tongue, and larynx.

Wernicke’s area

An area in the temporal lobe that helps us understand written and spoken words.

Somatic nervous system

A part of the peripheral nervous system that is under conscious control (voluntary).

Autonomic nervous system

A part of the peripheral nervous system that is not under conscious control (involuntary).

Spinal Cord

The structure running from the brain through the vertebrae that transmits motor output and serves as the centre for reflex arcs.

Frontal Lobe

Contains the primary motor area for voluntary movement and the prefrontal area for reasoning and planning.

Parietal Lobe

Contains the primary somatosensory area and primary taste area; processes sensory information from skin and muscles.

Occipital Lobe

Contains the primary visual area and visual association area for tasks like facial recognition.

Temporal Lobe

Contains the primary auditory area and auditory association area; helps associate new audio information with previous experiences.

Rostral

An anatomical directional term meaning toward the nose or front of the forebrain.

Caudal

An anatomical directional term meaning toward the tail or back of the brainstem and spinal cord.