Central Nervous System and Brain Structures

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the Central Nervous System and brain structures.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Cephalization

Evolutionary development of the rostral portion of the CNS, leading to an increased number of neurons in the head.

Diencephalon

Part of the brain consisting of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

Cerebellum

A structure of the brain that regulates motor control and coordination.

Gyri

Ridges on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres.

Sulci

Shallow grooves on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres.

Fissures

Deep grooves that separate major regions of the brain.

Cerebral Cortex

Thin, superficial layer of gray matter that constitutes 40% of the brain’s mass.

Broca's Area

A motor speech area located in the frontal lobe that directs muscles of the tongue.

Wernicke's Area

A region involved in understanding written and spoken language.

Primary Motor Cortex

Located in the precentral gyrus, responsible for conscious control of voluntary movements.

Primary Somatosensory Cortex

Located in the postcentral gyrus, it receives sensory information from the skin and muscles.

Limbic Association Area

Part of the limbic system involved in emotional impact that helps establish memories.

Visual Association Area

Surrounds the primary visual cortex, interpreting visual stimuli based on past experiences.

Auditory Association Area

Located posterior to the primary auditory cortex, stores memories of sounds.

Multimodal Association Areas

Regions that receive inputs from multiple sensory areas and send outputs to multiple areas.

Anterior Association Area (Prefrontal Cortex)

Involved in intellect, cognition, judgment, reasoning, and personality.

Posterior Association Area

Plays a role in recognizing patterns, faces, and understanding language.

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Liquid contained in the ventricles of the brain; provides cushioning and nourishment.

Neural Canal

Central cavity surrounded by a gray matter core in the spinal cord.