Central Nervous System I

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the structure and functions of the Central Nervous System, including brain development, organization, functional areas, and components essential for understanding in the course.

What are the three primary vesicles of brain development?

Prosencephalon (forebrain), Mesencephalon (midbrain), Rhombencephalon (hindbrain)

What is cephalization in relation to the CNS?

The evolutionary development of the rostral (anterior) portion of the CNS, resulting in an increased number of neurons.

What are the four major regions of the adult brain?

Cerebrum, Diencephalon, Brain stem, Cerebellum.

Which brain structure is responsible for conscious awareness and voluntary motor initiation?

Cerebral cortex.

What is the main function of the thalamus?

Acts as a relay station for information coming into the cortex.

What are the three types of functional areas in the cerebral cortex?

Motor areas, sensory areas, association areas.

What connects the two cerebral hemispheres?

Corpus callosum.

What is the primary auditory cortex responsible for?

Interpreting information from the inner ear as pitch, loudness, and location.

What type of fibers connect different parts of the same cerebral hemisphere?

Association fibers.

What does the basal nuclei influence?

Muscle movements, regulate intensity of movements, inhibit unnecessary movements.

What structure in the cerebral cortex is involved in planning movements?

Premotor cortex.

What are gyri, sulci, and fissures?

Gyri are ridges or folds; sulci are shallow grooves; fissures are deep grooves.

Where is the primary motor cortex located?

In the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe.

What is the function of the limbic system?

Mediates emotional responses and processes memories.

Which part of the brain is responsible for regulating homeostasis?

Hypothalamus.

What does the cerebellum primarily control?

Coordination and precision of voluntary movements.

What connects the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle?

Cerebral aqueduct.

What is the function of the olfactory cortex?

Involved in conscious awareness of odors.

What region of the brain is the 'executive suite'?

Cerebral cortex.

What characterizes the organization of gray matter in the brain?

Short, nonmyelinated neurons and cell bodies.

What role does the hypothalamus play in the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

Controls autonomic functions such as heart rate, digestion, and pupil size.

What are projection fibers responsible for?

Connecting the cerebral hemispheres with the lower brain or spinal cord.

What part of the diencephalon secretes melatonin?

Epithalamus.

What separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe?

Central sulcus.

What is the main function of the medulla oblongata?

Autonomic reflex center including cardiac, vasomotor, and respiratory centers.

What is the primary somatosensory cortex responsible for?

Receiving general sensory information from the skin and proprioceptors.

What connects gray matter of the two hemispheres?

Commissural fibers.

Which area of the brain is involved in speech production?

Broca's area.

What structures comprise the basal nuclei?

Caudate nucleus, Putamen, Globus pallidus.

Where are the majority of motor and sensory functions located in the cerebral cortex?

In discrete cortical areas.

What is the main role of the reticular activating system?

Regulates conscious alertness.

What is the significance of the longitudinal fissure?

It separates the two cerebral hemispheres.

What area of the brain is involved with intellect, cognition, and personality?

Anterior association area (prefrontal cortex).

What does the term 'somatotopy' mean in relation to the primary motor cortex?

Mapping of all the muscles of the body to specific areas on the primary motor cortex.

What do auditory association areas store?

Memories of sounds and permit perception of sound stimuli.

Where does the cerebellum receive impulse signals from?

The cerebral cortex, proprioceptors, visual and equilibrium pathways.