Term list -brain

White Matter vs Grey Matter

White matter: message pass through (myelin and nerve fibers- fatty)

Grey matter: neuronal cell bodies, dendrites and unmyelinated axons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, synapse and capillaries (internal) (ventral, lateral, dorsal horns)

Microscopic levels of brain

Soma: cell body

Nucleus: brain of the cell

Axon: impulses conducted from one cell body to another

Neuroglia: supports the neuron

CNS

Central nervous system: Brain and Spinal cord- process and coordinate sensory and motor commands

            Brain: control center (cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem)

            Nuclei: neuron within CNS (processing center)

            Spinal cord: medulla oblongata to conus medullaris (sends signals)

                        Central canal: full of CSF

                        Conus medullaris: terminal end of spinal cord (gives way to cauda equina)

            Tract: bundle of axons with similar information (CNS)

PNS

Peripheral nervous system: nerves (transmit impulses to brain/spinal cord and muscles/organs), ganglia (neuron cell bodies), plexus (network of nerves)

Nerve: sensory, motor, mixed bundle of neurons

            Ganglion: cluster of neuron bodies

            Plexus: intersecting nerves

            Highlighting the brachial plexus:

                        Axillary nerve: deltoid- teres major

                        Musculocutaneus nerve: anterior arm

                        Radial nerve: posterior arm/forearm (extensors)

                        Median nerve: forearm flexors

                        Ulnar nerve: hand muscles

            Highlighting important nerves:

                        Femoral nerve: anterior thigh

                        Sciatic nerve: largest nerve in the body

                                    Tibial nerve: posterior leg, plantar foot

                                    Common peroneal (fibular) nerve: deep and superficial nerves

cerebrum

largest part of brain- high mental functions

Cerebral hemispheres

left (logic/language) and right (awareness and creativity) hemispheres (contralateral control)

Seperated by longitudinal fissure (groove) and connected by corpus callosum (white matter)

Cerebral cortex

thin outer layer of gray mater

Gyri

folds/ridges elevated

Sulci

shallow groves between gyri

Frontal lobe

voluntary motor output, decision making, personality

Central sulcus

separates precentral (motor) and postcentral (sensory) gyrus

Parietal lobe

touch, temp, pain,, body position receptors

Lateral fissure

links sensory and emotional (environment receiver), separates frontal and parietal lobe

Temporal lobe

hearing, language, memory, comprehension

Occipital lobe:

visual process

Septum pellucidum

separates right and left lateral ventricles

Diencephalon

Thalamus: sensory, motor, cerebral cortex communication

Hypothalamus: hormone regulation

Pineal body: melatonin

Hypophysis: secretes hormones (pituitary gland)

Cerebellum

back of the brain, balance and proprioception, contains Arbor Vitae white matter “tree of life” signals to the cerebellar cortex

Brainstem

Mesencephalon (midbrain): eye movements (reactionary)

Pons: regulates breathing rate

Medulla oblongata: heart rate, blood pressure, sneezing, breathing

Meninges:

Epidural space: fat and blood vessels

Dura mater: thick

Subdural space: pressure to the brain

Arachnoid mater: middle

Subarachnoid space: takes the pressure

Pia Mater: thin layer on brain surface

Cerebrospinal fluid flow

Lateral ventricles: CSF produced

Third ventricle: located in diencephalon

Cerebral Aqueduct: narrow channel in midbrain

Fourth ventricle: between pons/medulla and cerebellum

Central Canal: small channel extending to spinal cord