Embryonic Development of the Human Brain

These flashcards cover vocabulary terms related to the embryonic development of the human brain, brain structure, and function.

Neural tube

The embryonic structure from which the brain and spinal cord develop.

Prosencephalon

The forebrain, one of the three primary brain vesicles.

Mesencephalon

The midbrain, one of the three primary brain vesicles.

Rhombencephalon

The hindbrain, one of the three primary brain vesicles.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, consisting of cerebral hemispheres, cortex, white matter, and basal nuclei.

Diencephalon

A region of the brain that includes thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

Cerebellum

A brain structure that coordinates motor activity and balance.

Cerebral aqueduct

A channel connecting the third and fourth ventricles in the brain.

Spinal cord

The part of the central nervous system that extends down from the brain.

Limbic system

A group of structures in the brain associated with emotions and memory.

Reticular formation

A network of neurons in the brainstem that regulates alertness and activity.

Central canal

The fluid-filled space within the spinal cord.

Gray matter

Regions of the brain and spinal cord containing neuron cell bodies.

White matter

Regions of the brain and spinal cord containing myelinated axons.

Embryonic growth

The phase in which the brain develops rapidly while folding to occupy space.

Cephalization

The evolutionary development of the anterior portion of the nervous system.

Vermis

The narrow band of tissue that connects the two hemispheres of the cerebellum.

Motor areas

Regions in the cerebral cortex responsible for planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements.

Sensory areas

Regions in the cerebral cortex that process sensory information like touch, vision, and sound.

Association areas

Parts of the cerebral cortex involved in higher mental functions like learning and memory.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the cerebrum, containing gray matter and involved in various functions.

Hemispheric lateralization

The specialization of function in one hemisphere of the brain over the other.

Broca's area

A region in the frontal lobe responsible for speech production.

Wernicke's area

A region involved in language comprehension, located in the temporal lobe.

Cortex

The outer layer of gray matter in the cerebral hemispheres.

Brainstem

The structure that connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions.

Functional brain systems

Networks of brain regions that work together to accomplish complex functions.

Motor cortex

The part of the cerebral cortex that controls voluntary movements.

Sensory cortex

The area of the cerebral cortex that processes sensory input.

Cerebellar peduncles

The tracts connecting the cerebellum to the brainstem.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The part of the nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord.

Neural canal

The hollow part of the neural tube that develops into the ventricular system of the brain.