Brain Anatomy Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing the anatomy and function of the human brain.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher functions such as interpreting touch, vision, hearing, speech, reasoning, emotions, learning, and fine control of movement.

Cerebellum

Located under the cerebrum, it coordinates muscle movements, maintains posture, and balance.

Brainstem

Acts as a relay center connecting the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord; performs automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, body temperature, wake and sleep cycles, digestion, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and swallowing.

Corpus Callosum

A bundle of fibers that connects the right and left hemispheres of the cerebrum, transmitting messages from one side to the other.

Frontal Lobe

Involved in personality, behavior, emotions, judgment, planning, problem-solving, speech (Broca's area), body movement, intelligence, concentration, and self-awareness.

Parietal Lobe

Interprets language, words; sense of touch, pain, temperature; interprets vision, hearing, sensory and memory; spatial and visual perception.

Occipital Lobe

Interprets vision (color, light, movement).

Temporal Lobe

Understanding language (Wernicke's area), memory, hearing, sequencing, and organization.

Broca's Area

Located in the left frontal lobe, it controls speech production. Damage results in difficulty speaking and writing (Broca's aphasia).

Wernicke's Area

Located in the left temporal lobe, it is involved in understanding language. Damage causes Wernicke's aphasia, where speech is fluent but nonsensical.

Cortex

The surface of the cerebrum, containing gray matter (neurons) and having a folded appearance (gyri and sulci).

Gyrus

A fold on the surface of the cortex.

Sulcus

A groove between folds (gyri) on the surface of the cortex.

Hypothalamus

Located in the floor of the third ventricle, it is the master control of the autonomic system, regulating hunger, thirst, sleep, sexual response, body temperature, blood pressure, emotions, and hormone secretion.

Pituitary Gland

Located at the base of the skull, it controls other endocrine glands in the body and secretes hormones that control sexual development, promote bone and muscle growth, and respond to stress.

Pineal Gland

Located behind the third ventricle, it helps regulate the body’s internal clock and circadian rhythms by secreting melatonin.

Thalamus

Serves as a relay station for sensory information going to the cortex; plays a role in pain sensation, attention, alertness, and memory.

Basal Ganglia

Includes the caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus; works with the cerebellum to coordinate fine motions.

Limbic System

The center of emotions, learning, and memory; includes the cingulate gyri, hypothalamus, amygdala (emotional reactions), and hippocampus (memory).

Short-term memory

Occurs in the prefrontal cortex. It stores information for about one minute and its capacity is limited to about 7 items.

Long-term memory

Is processed in the hippocampus of the temporal lobe and is activated when you want to memorize something for a longer time. This memory has unlimited content and duration capacity. It contains personal memories as well as facts and figures.

Skill memory

Is processed in the cerebellum, which relays information to the basal ganglia. It stores procedural learned memories like tying a shoe, playing an instrument, or riding a bike.

Ventricles

Hollow fluid-filled cavities in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear, colorless fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord from injury; produced by the choroid plexus in the ventricles.

Skull

Protects the brain from injury and is formed from 8 bones that fuse together.

Foramen Magnum

The large opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord exits.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that originate in the brain and control hearing, eye movement, facial sensations, taste, swallowing, and movement of the face, neck, shoulder, and tongue muscles.

Meninges

Three layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Dura Mater

The outermost, strong, thick membrane that closely lines the inside of the skull.

Arachnoid Mater

A thin, web-like membrane that covers the entire brain.

Pia Mater

Hugs the surface of the brain following its folds and grooves; contains many blood vessels.

Circle of Willis

An important safety feature of the brain. If one of the major vessels becomes blocked, it is possible for collateral blood flow to come across the Circle of Willis and prevent brain damage.

Neurons

Nerve cells that convey information through electrical and chemical signals. Consist of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.

Glia Cells

Cells of the brain that provide neurons with nourishment, protection, and structural support; include astroglia, oligodendroglia, ependymal cells, and microglia.

Synapse

Neurons transmit their energy, or “talk”, to each other across a tiny gap.