Lecture Review on Brain, Spinal Cord, and Cognition

These flashcards cover vocabulary and key concepts related to brain structure, function, cognition, and neuroanatomy, based on lecture content.

Hydrocephalus

A medical condition characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain's ventricles.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A selective permeability barrier that protects the brain from potential toxins in the blood.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord involved in maintaining the blood-brain barrier.

Choroid Plexus

A structure in the brain that produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Hippocampus

A brain structure crucial for the formation of long-term memories.

Amygdala

A part of the limbic system involved in emotional processing, particularly fear and pleasure.

Cingulate Gyrus

A region of the brain located above the corpus callosum, involved in emotional regulation and processing.

Parahippocampal Gyrus

Brain structure adjacent to the hippocampus, involved in memory encoding and retrieval.

Fornix

A C-shaped bundle of nerve fibers in the brain that connects the hippocampus to other limbic structures.

Limbic System

A complex system of brain structures that plays a key role in emotional responses and memory.

Reticular Formation

A set of interconnected nuclei that regulate arousal and consciousness.

Cognition

The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

Agnosia

An inability to recognize or understand the meaning of stimuli.

Alzheimer's Disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline.

Beta-Amyloid Plaques

Protein aggregates that accumulate in the brains of those with Alzheimer's disease.

Korsakoff Syndrome

A chronic neurocognitive disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, often associated with alcohol misuse.

Amnesia

A partial or total loss of memory, typically caused by brain injury or psychological trauma.

Concussion

A type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head resulting in temporary loss of function.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A serious injury to the brain caused by an external force that can result in lasting damage.

Persistent Vegetative State

A condition of unresponsiveness where a person may exhibit wakefulness without awareness.

Coma

A deep state of prolonged unconsciousness where a person cannot be awakened, even with stimuli.

Phylum Terminale

The fibrous extension of the pia mater that anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx.

Dura Mater

The tough, outermost layer of the meninges that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

Subarachnoid Space

The space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater that contains cerebrospinal fluid.

Efferent Neurons

Neurons that carry signals away from the central nervous system to effectors (muscles or glands).

Afferent Neurons

Neurons that carry sensory signals towards the central nervous system.

Conus Medullaris

The tapered, conical end of the spinal cord, typically located at the L1 vertebral level.

Cauda Equina

The collection of spinal nerves and nerve roots located below the conus medullaris.

Dermatomes

Areas of skin that are mainly supplied by a single spinal nerve root.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that mediates a reflex action.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain responsible for coordination and smoothness of movement.

Wernicke's Area

A region in the brain associated with language comprehension.

Broca's Area

A region in the brain associated with speech production.

Dyslexia

A learning disorder characterized by difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds.

Apraxia

A motor disorder characterized by difficulty in the purposeful movement of muscles.

Phineas Gage

A patient known for surviving a severe brain injury that significantly changed his personality.

Olfactory Cortex

The part of the brain involved in the sense of smell.

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

A network of neurons in the brainstem that regulates wakefulness and sleep-wake transitions.

Seizures

Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain causing changes in behavior, movements, feelings, or consciousness.

Hypothalamus

A brain region involved in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system and various homeostatic processes.

Endoneurium

The innermost layer of connective tissue that surrounds each individual nerve fiber.

Perineurium

The connective tissue layer that surrounds each nerve fascicle.

Epineurium

The outermost layer of connective tissue that surrounds an entire nerve.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Meninges

Three protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Vagus Nerve

The tenth cranial nerve that innervates the heart, lungs, and digestive tract.

Cognition and Emotion

The interdependence of cognitive functions and emotional responses in the brain.