Physiological Psychology Exam 1

Hindbrain

Medulla, pons, cerebellum

Medulla

Autonomic functions such as breathing and cardiovascular regulation

Pons

Relay functions and roles in sleep/arousal (wakefulness) and movement-related circuitry

Cerebellum

Coordination, timing, balance, motor learning, and error correction

Midbrain

Small region, major pathway between hindbrain/spinal systems that contains structures involved in orienting to visual and auditory events and processes involved in motor control and dopamine-related nuclei and pathways.

Forebrain

Diencephalon, hypothalamus and thalamus

Hypothalamus

Regulate the organism, regulates motivated and homeostatic functions through neural and endocrine mechanisms. Works with pituitary gland.

Thalamus

Major relay and processing hub for information traveling to cortex; not merely a passive switchboard. All sensory information comes in through the thalamus, and the thalamus sends it to all different parts of your brain.

Basal Ganglia

Interconnected subcortical nuclei important for movement selection, action, habit, and learning. Function depends on loops linking basal ganglia with cortex and thalamus.
Movement disorders

Limbic Systems

Amygdala, olfactory bulb, hippocampus

Ventral

Toward the stomach, away from the dorsal (back) side

Dorsal

Toward the back, awa from the ventral side

Anterior

Toward the front end

Posterior

Toward the rear endSu

Superior

Above another part

Inferior

Below another part

Lateral

Toward the side, away from the midline

Medial

Toward the midline, away from the side

Proximal

Located close (approximate) to the point of origin or attachment

Distal

Located more distant from the point of origin or attachment

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body (e.g. two parts on the left or two on the right)

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body (one on the left and one on the right)

Coronal plane

A plane that shows brain structures as seen from the front

Sagittal Plane

A plane that shows brain structures as seen from the side

Horizontal plane (or transverse plane)

A plane that shows brain structures as seen from above

Spinal cord levels

Cervical: C1-C8, thoracic: T1-T12, lumbar: L1-L5, sacral: S1-S5

Choroid Plexus

Found in lateral ventricles and makes CSF

Lesion

Area of damage, naturally occurring lesions can link damage patterns with changes in behavior

White matter v gray matter

Gray matter = 40%, many neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and synapses

White matter = 60%, myelinated axons connecting regions - sends information quickly

Cortex is gray on the surface

Oligodendrocytes

Glia in the CNS that provide myelin

Schwann Cells

Glia in the PNS that provide myelin

Microglia

Immune defense and response to injury

Astrocytes

Help regulate the extracellular environment and support synaptic function

Internal Carotid Arteries

Supply much of the anterior circulation

Vertebral Arteries

Join to form the basilar artery and contribute to posterior circulation

The Circle of Willis

Links major arterial routes and can provide collateral pathwahys, although anatomy and compensation vary. Only area in our body where our blood can flow in two different directions if necessary.