Human Brain – Anatomy, Protection & Disorders (Lecture Review)

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering major anatomical structures, protective layers, blood supply, functional regions, and key disorders of the human brain as presented in Chapters 1–7 of the lecture.

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain; responsible for thinking, perception, voluntary movement and higher functions.

Cerebellum

Posterior brain region that coordinates balance, posture and fine-tunes skeletal-muscle movements.

Brainstem

Inferior brain region (midbrain, pons, medulla) controlling breathing, heart rate and basic survival reflexes.

Diencephalon

Central brain region containing thalamus, hypothalamus and epithalamus; major relay and homeostasis center.

Thalamus

Egg-shaped relay station that routes nearly all sensory signals (except smell) to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Small area below thalamus that links nervous and endocrine systems; regulates temperature, hunger, hormones, autonomic functions.

Pituitary Gland

Endocrine gland hanging from hypothalamus; releases many systemic hormones.

Midbrain

Superior part of brainstem; contains visual/auditory reflex centers and part of reticular formation.

Pons

Middle brainstem section; bridge between cerebrum & cerebellum and houses respiratory centers (pneumotaxic & apneustic).

Medulla Oblongata

Lowest brainstem part; contains cardiac, respiratory and vasomotor centers plus coughing, sneezing, vomiting reflexes.

Meninges

Three connective-tissue membranes (dura, arachnoid, pia) that surround and protect brain & spinal cord.

Dura Mater

Tough, outer meningeal layer; forms dural folds and venous sinuses.

Arachnoid Mater

Middle meningeal layer with web-like fibers and subarachnoid CSF space.

Pia Mater

Delicate inner meningeal layer tightly adhering to brain surface and its tiny folds.

Meningitis

Inflammation/infection of the meninges.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear fluid that cushions CNS, carries nutrients, removes wastes and fills ventricles & subarachnoid space.

Ventricles

Four internal brain chambers (2 lateral, third, fourth) filled with CSF.

Choroid Plexus

Capillary-ependymal cell network in ventricles that produces CSF.

Ependymal Cells

Neuroglia lining ventricles; secrete and circulate CSF.

Circle of Willis

Arterial ring at brain base providing collateral blood flow via carotid and vertebral systems.

Vertebral Arteries

Paired arteries ascending through cervical transverse foramina to supply posterior brain.

Internal Carotid Arteries

Paired arteries entering skull via carotid canals to supply anterior brain.

Basilar Artery

Midline vessel formed by vertebral arteries; feeds posterior cerebral circulation.

Jugular Veins

Major veins that drain brain blood from dural sinuses back to heart.

Superior Sagittal Sinus

Large dural venous sinus along midline collecting cerebral venous blood.

Blood-Brain Barrier

Selective capillary barrier that limits passage of pathogens and many drugs into brain tissue.

Corpora Quadrigemina

Four midbrain bumps (superior & inferior colliculi) involved in visual and auditory reflexes.

Superior Colliculi

Upper pair of corpora quadrigemina; mediate visual tracking and reflexes.

Inferior Colliculi

Lower pair of corpora quadrigemina; mediate auditory reflexes.

Reticular Formation

Diffuse brainstem network regulating muscle tone and alertness.

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Ascending part of reticular formation that maintains cortical consciousness; its depression induces sleep.

Arbor Vitae

Tree-like white-matter pattern inside cerebellum conveying signals between cerebellar regions.

Vermis

Midline „worm-like” structure connecting cerebellar hemispheres.

Corpus Callosum

Thick white-matter tract linking left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Gray Matter

Neuron cell-body regions (unmyelinated); forms cerebral cortex and deep nuclei.

White Matter

Myelinated axon tracts that rapidly transmit signals within CNS.

Gyrus (Gyri)

Elevated ridge (hill) on cerebral surface.

Sulcus (Sulci)

Shallow groove (valley) between gyri.

Fissure

Deep cerebral groove (e.g., longitudinal fissure) separating large regions.

Longitudinal Fissure

Midline cleft dividing cerebral hemispheres.

Central Sulcus

Groove separating frontal and parietal lobes; borders primary motor & somatosensory cortices.

Lateral Sulcus

Deep groove separating temporal lobe from frontal & parietal lobes.

Parieto-Occipital Sulcus

Groove dividing parietal and occipital lobes.

Frontal Lobe

Cerebral lobe for reasoning, planning, voluntary motor control, speech production.

Parietal Lobe

Cerebral lobe processing touch, proprioception and general somatic sensation.

Temporal Lobe

Cerebral lobe for hearing, language comprehension and some memory processing.

Occipital Lobe

Posterior lobe dedicated to visual processing.

Insula

Deep cerebral lobe involved in taste, visceral sensation and emotion.

Limbic System

Interconnected brain structures governing emotion, motivation and memory (e.g., hippocampus, amygdala).

Basal Nuclei

Subcortical gray-matter clusters that help initiate and regulate voluntary movements.

Pineal Gland

Small epithalamic gland secreting melatonin to regulate circadian sleep cycles.

Melatonin

Pineal hormone that promotes sleep and regulates daily rhythms.

Ectoderm

Outer embryonic germ layer that forms neural tissue and skin.

Neural Tube

Embryonic structure derived from ectoderm that develops into brain and spinal cord.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Brief, reversible loss of brain blood flow causing temporary neurological deficits; warning of stroke.

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)

Sudden brain damage from interrupted or bleeding blood vessels leading to neuronal death.

Ischemic Stroke

Type of stroke caused by blood-flow blockage (clot).

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Type of stroke caused by intracranial bleeding and pressure on brain tissue.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by memory loss and amyloid/neurofibrillary tangles.

Parkinson’s Disease

Movement disorder from loss of dopamine-producing neurons in midbrain; causes tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia.

L-dopa

Drug precursor of dopamine used to treat Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

Myelin Sheath

Fatty insulating covering around many axons that speeds nerve impulse conduction.

Cerebral Aqueduct

Narrow channel connecting third and fourth ventricles.

Central Canal

CSF-filled channel running down spinal cord center.

Subarachnoid Space

CSF-filled gap between arachnoid and pia mater cushioning CNS.