Brain Structure and Function Overview

Brain Vesicles

Three primary structures during early brain development.

Cephalization

Process where brain structures become concentrated in the head.

Cerebral Hemispheres

Two halves of the brain, involved in various functions.

Diencephalon

Part of the brain containing thalamus and hypothalamus.

Brain Stem

Connects brain to spinal cord; controls basic life functions.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement and balance; located at the back.

Gray Matter

Neuronal cell bodies and synapses; processes information.

White Matter

Myelinated axons; transmits signals between brain regions.

Ventricles

Fluid-filled cavities in the brain; contain cerebrospinal fluid.

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Clear fluid that cushions and nourishes the brain.

Gyri

Ridges on the cerebral cortex; increase surface area.

Sulci

Grooves on the cerebral cortex; separate gyri.

Fissures

Deep grooves that divide the brain into lobes.

Motor Areas

Regions controlling voluntary muscle movements.

Sensory Areas

Regions processing sensory information from the body.

Association Areas

Integrate information from different brain regions.

Lateralization of Function

Specialization of brain hemispheres for different tasks.

Basal Nuclei

Group of nuclei that regulate voluntary motor control.

Thalamus

Major relay station for sensory and motor signals.

Hypothalamus

Regulates autonomic functions and homeostasis.

Epithalamus

Includes structures related to sleep and emotional responses.

Substantia Nigra

Midbrain structure associated with movement control.

Water balance

Regulation of body fluid levels and thirst.

Anterior pituitary gland

Gland controlling various hormonal functions.

Pineal gland

Secretes melatonin, regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Midbrain

Contains corpora quadrigemina for reflexes.

Corpora quadrigemina

Centers for visual and auditory reflexes.

Red nucleus

Subcortical motor center in the midbrain.

Substantia nigra

Involved in movement regulation and reward.

Periaqueductal gray matter

Involved in pain suppression and motor nuclei.

Cerebral peduncles

House pyramidal fiber tracts in the midbrain.

Pons

Conduction area regulating respiration and cranial nerves.

Medulla oblongata

Regulates vital functions like heart rate.

Decussation of the pyramids

Crossing of corticospinal tracts in the medulla.

Olivary nuclei

Involved in motor coordination and reflexes.

Cerebellum

Coordinates motor output for balance and timing.

Vermis

Connects two hemispheres of the cerebellum.

Limbic system

Emotional-visceral brain involved in memory.

Reticular formation

Maintains alertness and regulates motor activities.

Language implementation system

Processes and produces language in the brain.

Short-term memory (STM)

Temporary storage of information for minutes.

Long-term memory (LTM)

Permanent storage of information for hours or longer.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Records brain wave patterns and electrical activity.

Brain waves

Patterns of electrical activity classified by frequency.

Consciousness

Continuum from alertness to coma.

Holistic information processing

Involves interconnected neural activity, not localized.

Fainting (syncope)

Temporary loss of consciousness due to inadequate blood flow.

Coma

Unresponsive state with complete loss of consciousness.

Sleep

Partial unconsciousness, arousable by stimulation.

NREM sleep

Non-rapid eye movement sleep with decreasing brain wave frequency.

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep with increased brain activity.

Delta wave sleep

Stage 4 NREM sleep with high amplitude, low frequency.

Memory consolidation

Process of stabilizing memories during sleep.

Narcolepsy

Involuntary sleep episodes occurring during wakefulness.

Insomnia

Chronic inability to achieve adequate sleep quality.

Meninges

Three protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Fluid that cushions and nourishes the brain and spinal cord.

Blood brain barrier

Selective barrier protecting brain from harmful substances.

Concussion

Mild brain injury from head trauma.

Contusion

Severe brain bruising from trauma.

Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

Impaired blood flow causing brain tissue death.

Hemiplegia

Paralysis affecting one side of the body.

Alzheimer's disease

Degenerative disorder marked by memory loss and dementia.

Parkinson's disease

Neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement and dopamine levels.

Huntington's disease

Genetic disorder causing progressive motor dysfunction.

Diagnostic procedures

Techniques like CT, MRI, and PET for neurological assessment.

Spinal cord

Reflex center and conduction pathway for neural signals.

Spinal Cord

Two-way conduction pathway and reflex center.

Vertebral Column

Protective structure housing the spinal cord.

Meninges

Protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Fluid cushioning the spinal cord and brain.

Foramen Magnum

Opening where spinal cord enters skull.

Lumbar Vertebra

Spinal vertebrae at lower back region.

Spinal Nerves

Thirty-one pairs emerging from the spinal cord.

Cervical Enlargement

Spinal cord region serving upper limbs.

Lumbar Enlargement

Spinal cord region serving lower limbs.

Central Gray Matter

H-shaped structure in spinal cord's center.

Ventral Horns

Contain somatic motor neurons.

Lateral Horns

Contain visceral (autonomic) motor neurons.

Dorsal Horns

Contain interneurons for sensory processing.

Ventral Roots

Carry motor axons from spinal cord.

Dorsal Roots

Carry sensory axons to spinal cord.

Spinal Nerves Formation

Ventral and dorsal roots combine.

White Matter Columns

Dorsal, lateral, and ventral funiculi in cord.

Flaccid Paralysis

Loss of muscle tone from ventral horn injury.

Spastic Paralysis

Muscle stiffness from upper motor neuron injury.

Poliomyelitis

Viral infection damaging ventral horn neurons.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Progressive degeneration of motor neurons.

Ascending Tracts

Carry sensory information to the brain.

Descending Tracts

Transmit motor commands from the brain.

CNS Development

Originates from embryonic neural tube.

Gray Matter Formation

Develops from alar and basal plates.

Congenital Brain Disorders

Severe conditions affecting brain development.

Myelination Progression

Indicates maturation of nervous system.

Aging Brain Changes

Neurons die, brain weight and volume decline.

Environmental Impact on CNS

Factors impairing embryonic brain development.