Anatomy & Physiology 12B

Cerebrum

the largest portion of the brain

Gyri

thick ridges found in the brain

Sulci

divide up the gyri

Cerebellum

second largest region of the brain; contains more neurons than the rest of the brain

Brainstem

contains three structures: Midbrain, Pons, Medulla Oblongata

Longitudinal Fissure

divides the right and left halves of the cerebral hemispheres

Corpus Callosum

a thick bundle of nerves that connects the left and right hemispheres

Cortex

is specifically gray matter that covers the cerebrum and cerebellum

Nuclei

are patches of gray matter in the white matter

Choroid plexus

network of blood vessels lining the floor or wall of each ventricle

Ventricles (brain)

canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Fluid that circulates around the brain and spinal cord.

Blood Brain barrier

Restricts what substances can pass from the bloodstream into the brain.

Capillaries

Consists mainly of endothelial cells (tightly packed) forming the blood-brain barrier.

Midbrain

Relays sensory and motor impulses and is integral to auditory and visual reflexes.

Pons

Responds to signals from different parts of the brain and has attachments for several cranial nerves.

Medulla Oblongata

Attaches the brain to the spinal cord and controls the cardiac center and respiratory centers.

Diencephalon

Contains the thalamus and hypothalamus, which control sensory impulses and autonomic functions.

Thalamus

Gateway for every sensory impulse, transmitting to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Controls the autonomic nervous system and influences the endocrine system.

Frontal lobe

Controls voluntary movements, memory, social judgment, decision making, reasoning, and aggression.

Temporal lobe

Controls hearing, smell, learning, memory, emotional behavior, and visual recognition.

Occipital Lobe

Concerned with analyzing and interpreting visual information.

Parietal lobe

Receives and interprets body sensations such as touch, temperature, pressure, and pain.

Insula

Plays a role in perception of pain, basic emotions, addiction, motor control, and self-awareness.

White matter

Bundles of myelinated fibers called tracts that carry impulses from one part to another.

Cerebral Cortex

Surface of the cerebrum, a thin layer of gray matter.

Basal Nuclei or Ganglia

Masses of gray matter found deep in the cerebrum that help in the control of movement.

Limbic System

The 'emotional brain' that is the seat of emotion and learning.

Hippocampus

Converts short-term memory into long-term memory.

Amygdala

Stores and can recall emotion, controlling emotions of anger, jealousy, and fear.

Postcentral gyrus

The primary somatic sensory area that receives impulses of heat, cold, and touch.

Somatic Association Area

concerned with determining the location and intensity of the sensory messages

Motor Association Area

Determines which movement is required for a particular task before movement begins.

Precentral Gyrus

Sends impulses through the motor tracts to reach the skeletal muscles for movement.