Lecture Notes: Brain Anatomy and Development — Flashcards

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering cerebrum structure, cortical landmarks, brain development, major brain regions (thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, basal ganglia), and related functional concepts mentioned in the notes.

What term describes the two halves of the brain's cerebrum?

Cerebral hemispheres.

What are the wrinkly ridges and grooves on the cortex called?

Gyri (ridges) and sulci (grooves).

What function does the somatosensory cortex serve?

Processes touch and body sensation.

Where is the primary motor cortex located?

In the precentral gyrus, just anterior to the central sulcus.

What is the central sulcus and what does it separate?

A major groove that separates the motor cortex (precentral gyrus) from the somatosensory cortex (postcentral gyrus).

What does rostral mean in neuroanatomy?

Toward the beak/anterior end of the brain.

What does caudal mean in neuroanatomy?

Toward the tail/posterior end of the brain.

From which embryonic structure do the pons and cerebellum develop?

Metencephalon (derived from the rhombencephalon, the hindbrain).

What does the mesencephalon refer to?

The midbrain; contains structures like the substantia nigra and inferior colliculus.

What is the substantia nigra and why is it significant?

A dopamine-producing region in the midbrain; its degeneration is linked to Parkinson's disease and it appears pigmented (black).

What structures comprise the metencephalon?

Pons and cerebellum.

What structure arises from the myelencephalon?

Medulla oblongata.

What two major structures arise from the diencephalon?

Thalamus and hypothalamus.

What is the thalamus' role in sensation?

Sensory relay station to the cortex for touch, vision, and hearing; involved in wakefulness/arousal; olfaction largely bypasses it.

What is the hypothalamus involved in?

Autonomic regulation and limbic interactions; maintains homeostasis.

Which limbic structures are central to memory and emotion?

Hippocampus (memory) and amygdala (emotion).

What is the role of the anterior cingulate?

Involved in emotion regulation and evaluation within the limbic system.

What is the septum, and what happens when it is damaged?

Septal region; damage can produce septal rage (unprovoked anger).

What is the nucleus accumbens known for?

A major motivation/reward center in the brain.

What are the caudate and putamen collectively called?

The striatum.

What is the role of the striatum in movement?

Receives input from the motor cortex to help facilitate starting movements; affected in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.

What are the main components of the basal ganglia?

Striatum (caudate and putamen) and pallidal structures (globus pallidus), among others.

What is the inferior colliculus responsible for?

Auditory reflexes and orienting the eyes to sound.

When does the frontal lobe typically come online according to the notes?

Not fully online until around 26 years old.

Why do some animals have smooth brains while others are highly convoluted?

More convoluted brains have more cells and are heavier; birds tend to have smoother brains to stay lightweight for flight; evolution shapes brain size and folding.