Neuroanatomy Overview

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from neuroanatomy, including brain structures and their functions.

Cerebral Hemispheres

Regions of the brain responsible for thinking, personality, and voluntary actions.

Diencephalon

Part of the brain that acts as a relay and regulates homeostasis, including thalamus and hypothalamus.

Brain Stem

The part of the brain that keeps you alive, controlling heart rate and breathing.

Cerebellum

The region of the brain responsible for coordination and balance.

Gray Matter

Composed of neuron cell bodies and dendrites, involved in processing and thinking.

White Matter

Made up of myelinated axons, functioning as signal highways within the brain.

Dura Mater

The tough, outer layer of the cranial meninges.

Arachnoid Mater

The web-like middle layer of the cranial meninges.

Pia Mater

The innermost layer of the cranial meninges that hugs the brain.

Epidural Space

Potential space located between the skull and dura mater.

Subdural Space

Potential space located between dura mater and arachnoid mater.

Subarachnoid Space

Space between arachnoid and pia mater where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) resides.

Ventricles

Cavities in the brain where cerebrospinal fluid is produced and flows.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid that provides buoyancy, protection, and stability within the brain.

Choroid Plexus

A structure made of ependymal cells and capillaries that produces CSF.

Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

A selective barrier that protects the brain from toxins while allowing certain substances to pass.

Frontal Lobe

Part of the cerebrum responsible for motor control, speech, and personality.

Parietal Lobe

Region of the brain involved in touch and spatial awareness.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in hearing, memory, and smell.

Occipital Lobe

Region of the brain responsible for vision.

Insula

Part of the brain responsible for taste and visceral sensation.

Broca’s Area

Region in the frontal lobe responsible for speech production.

Primary Motor Cortex

Area in the frontal lobe that controls voluntary skeletal movement.

Primary Visual Cortex

Area in the occipital lobe that receives visual input.

Primary Auditory Cortex

Area in the temporal lobe that processes pitch and loudness.

Primary Gustatory Cortex

Area in the insula responsible for processing taste.

Primary Olfactory Cortex

Area in the temporal lobe responsible for processing smell.

Gryri ( Gyrus )

ridges

Sulci

Shallow Grooves / Tranverse Fissure

Transverse fissure

Seperates cerebrum and cerebellum

Longitudinal fissure

seperate left and right

Primary Motor Cortex

Somatic Motor area

comtrols contralateral skeletal muscle

Premotor Cortex

learned skilled activities and helps plan movementd