Brain & Spinal Cord Anatomy and Cranial Nerves

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the anatomy of the brain, spinal cord, and cranial nerves.

Dura mater

protects the brain

Arachnoid

protects the brain

Pia mater

protects the brain

Cerebral hemispheres

Right and left parts of the brain that control skeletal muscles and sensory interpretation.

Longitudinal fissure

A deep groove that separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres.

Central sulcus

A groove that separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.

Lateral sulcus

A groove that separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.

Transverse fissure

A groove that separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum.

Prefrontal cortex

Part of the frontal lobe involved with intellect, judgment, and personality.

Primary motor cortex

controls skeletal muscles.

Premotor cortex

planning and controlling learned motor skills

Frontal eye field

controls voluntary movements of the eyes.

Broca's area

controlling tongue muscles involved in speech

Primary somatosensory cortex

conscious awareness and interpretation of touch

Somatosensory association area

stores touch memories

Primary visual cortex

receives and interprets visual input from the retina “sees”

Visual association area

Stores visual memories

Primary auditory cortex

Area that receives sensory imput from inner ear; conscious awareness and interpretation of sound (pitch, rhythm, loudness)

Auditory association area

stores sound memories.

Olfactory cortex

Area of the brain that interprets smell.

yoo

hoo

Gustatory cortex

interpretation of taste from taste buds.

Visceral association area

conscious awareness of vital organs

Vestibular cortex

Area associated with balance awareness.

Thalamus

Brain structure that sorts, filters, and transmits sensory information imput to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

regulates temperature and fluid/electrolyte balance

Pineal gland

produces melatonin

Choroid plexuses

produce cerebrospinal fluid in ventricles.

Cerebellum

coordination and movement planning.

Arbor vitae

Tree-like structure in the cerebellum that enhances nerve transmission speed.

Brainstem

controls automatic survival behaviors.

Midbrain

generates visual and auditory reflexes.

Pons

Part of the brainstem that regulates breathing.

Medulla oblongata

controls vital signs

Corpus callosum

connects the cerebral hemispheres.

Fornix

Bundle of fibers connecting parts of the limbic system.

Limbic system

emotion generation.

Olfactory bulbs

Structures receiving olfactory input from olfactory nerves.

Optic nerve

Nerve transmits visual input from the retina

Optic chiasma

Point of partial decussation of optic nerve fibers

White matter

increases nerve impulse transmission speed.

Gray matter

slow impulse transmission

Central canal

Channel in the spinal cord that circulates cerebrospinal fluid.

Dorsal root

attaches the spinal nerves to the back of the spinal cord; transmits sensory input from the spinal nerves to the spinal cord

Ventral root

attaches the spinal nerves to the front of the spinal cord; transmits motor output from the spinal cord to the spinal nerves

olfactory tracts

transmits olfactory input to the thalamus

4 chambers of the brain

circulate cerebrospinal fluid