Fundamentals of Brain Anatomy & Physiology – Lecture Overview

These vocabulary flashcards summarize key anatomical structures, physiological concepts, clinical terms, and illustrative phenomena discussed in the lecture on brain organization, protection, development, and perception.

Neuron

Basic nervous-system cell; transmits signals via ion movements (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺) across its membrane.

Brainstem

Inferior brain portion connecting spinal cord to cerebrum; includes medulla, pons, and midbrain.

Medulla Oblongata

Lowest brainstem segment; regulates vital autonomic functions such as cardiac and respiratory rhythms.

Pons

Bulging middle brainstem section; relays signals and links cerebellum with higher centers.

Cerebellum

Posterior, textured brain region; coordinates balance, posture, and fine motor control.

Midbrain (Tectum)

Upper brainstem (a.k.a. tectum); involved in visual & auditory reflexes and basic alertness.

Thalamus

Diencephalon relay ‘middleman’ that sorts and routes incoming sensory and outgoing motor signals.

Hypothalamus

Region below thalamus; master autonomic & endocrine regulator controlling temperature, hunger, hormones.

Cerebrum

Largest brain division; houses the cerebral cortex, responsible for conscious thought, sensation, and movement.

Frontal Lobe

Anterior cerebral lobe; handles voluntary motor planning, reasoning, personality, speech production.

Parietal Lobe

Superior-posterior lobe; processes somatic sensory information and spatial awareness.

Occipital Lobe

Posterior cerebral lobe dedicated primarily to visual processing.

Temporal Lobe

Lateral lobe beneath lateral sulcus; manages hearing, language comprehension, memory, and emotion.

Insula

Deep cortical region hidden by other lobes; involved in taste, visceral sensation, and self-awareness.

Sulcus (plural: Sulci)

Groove or valley on the cerebral surface between gyri.

Gyrus (plural: Gyri)

Raised ridge or mound on the cerebral cortex between sulci.

Central Sulcus

Major groove separating frontal and parietal lobes; landmark for pre- and postcentral gyri.

Precentral Gyrus

Frontal ridge anterior to central sulcus; primary motor cortex initiating voluntary movement.

Postcentral Gyrus

Parietal ridge posterior to central sulcus; primary somatosensory cortex receiving body sensation.

Lateral Sulcus (Sylvian fissure)

Deep groove dividing temporal lobe from frontal & parietal lobes.

Longitudinal Fissure

Deep midline groove separating left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Cerebral Hemisphere

One half of the cerebrum (left or right), each controlling contralateral body functions.

Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB)

Selective barrier formed by capillary tight junctions and astrocytes, limiting blood substance entry into CNS.

Astrocyte

Star-shaped glial cell; supports neurons and reinforces the BBB with perivascular ‘feet’.

Meninges

Three protective connective-tissue layers—dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater—surrounding brain & spinal cord.

Dura Mater

Outermost, tough meningeal layer adhering to skull; provides durable protection.

Arachnoid Mater

Middle meningeal layer with web-like fibers; forms subarachnoid space for cerebrospinal fluid.

Pia Mater

Delicate innermost meningeal layer that closely covers brain surface and follows sulci.

Meningitis

Inflammation of meninges, usually infectious; symptoms include fever, stiff neck, headache, vomiting.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear fluid filling ventricles & subarachnoid space; provides buoyancy, cushioning, and chemical stability.

Neural Crest Cells

Embryonic cells that fold and fuse to form the neural tube and give rise to diverse nervous tissues.

Neural Tube

Embryonic precursor to spinal cord, brainstem, and brain formed from fused neural folds.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve paired nerves (I–XII) emerging from brain; control head/neck sensory and motor functions.

Olfactory Nerve (I)

Pure sensory cranial nerve transmitting smell information from nasal mucosa to cerebrum.

Optic Nerve (II)

Sensory cranial nerve conveying visual input from retina to brain.

Oculomotor Nerve (III)

Motor nerve controlling most extraocular muscles, pupil constriction, lens shape.

Trochlear Nerve (IV)

Motor cranial nerve that drives the superior oblique muscle, enabling downward & lateral eye movement.

Trigeminal Nerve (V)

Mixed cranial nerve providing facial sensation and motor control of mastication muscles.

Abducens Nerve (VI)

Motor nerve controlling lateral rectus muscle to abduct the eye laterally.

Facial Nerve (VII)

Mixed nerve managing facial expressions, lacrimation, salivation, and anterior-tongue taste.

Encephalopathy

General term for disease or dysfunction of the brain, often associated with infection or toxins.

Rabies Virus

Neurotropic virus causing fatal encephalopathy; symptoms include agitation, hydrophobia, hypersalivation.

Hydrophobia

Painful spasms when attempting to swallow liquids; classic rabies symptom leading to fear of water.

Sphenopalatine Ganglioneuralgia

Medical term for ‘brain freeze’; sudden palate-triggered neuronal pain from rapid cold stimulation.

Checker-Shadow Illusion

Visual illusion where identical shades appear different because the brain compensates for perceived shadow.

“The Dress” Phenomenon

Internet viral image illustrating color perception differences based on assumed light source (blue-black vs. white-gold).