Brain Model FlashCards

Diencephalon

Contains the thalamus, hypothalamus and epithalamus (pineal gland/body).

Acts as a primary relay and processing center for sensory information and autonomic control via hormone regulation.

Brainstem

Contains the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata.

Responsible for many vital functions including arousal, consciousness, sleep-wake cycles, coordination of certain movements, and cardiovascular control.

Ventricle

Consist of the lateral (1 and2), third and fourth.

Responsible for protecting the brain through cushioning, producing and circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to nourish the brain and remove waste, and maintaining brain homeostasis

Lateral Ventricles

Producing and circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via the choroid plexus.

Choroid plexus

Produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via the ependymal cells that line the ventricles of the brain

Thalamus

Acts as a central relay station for sensory and motor signals, transmitting them to the cerebral cortex. It is also crucial for regulating consciousness, sleep, emotions, alertness, and wakefulness.

Hypothalamus

Maintain the body's internal balance (homeostasis) by regulating essential functions like body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sleep

Epithalamus (pineal body/gland)

Acts as a connection between the limbic system and other parts of the brain

Corpus callosum

Connects the two hemispheres of the brain

Fornix

A white matter tract in the brain that plays a crucial role in memory and cognitive function.

Corpora Quadrigemina

Plays a crucial roles in visual and auditory processing, as well as reflex movements.

Midbrain

Part of the brainstem serves important functions in motor movement, particularly movements of the eye, and in auditory and visual processing

Pons

Part of your midbrain helps with coordination of movement.

Medulla oblongata

Part of the midbrain plays a key role in controlling involuntary functions, including breathing, digestion, and heart rate.

Mammillary body

Located within the hypothalamus, they play a crucial role in memory consolidation and retrieval

Pituitary gland

Plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions by producing and releasing hormones

Cerebellum

Primarily responsible for muscle control, including balance and movement

Arbor Vitae

Tree-like white matter inside the cerebellum that carries sensory and motor information to and from the cerebellum

Cerebral aqueduct

Primary function is to facilitate the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between third and fourth ventricle.

Third ventricle

Main function is to produce and secrete the CSF.

Fourth Ventricle

Main function is to produce and secrete the CSF.

Interventricular foramen

Pathway for CSF to move from the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle.

Olfactory Bulbs

Act as a relay station for smells, receiving information from the nose and sending it to the brain for interpretation.

Olfactory Tract

Transmitting sensory information related to smell from the olfactory bulb to other areas of the brain.

Optic Nerves

Carrying visual information from the retina to the brain, enabling sight.

Optic chiasma

Transmitting visual information by crossing nerve fibers from the optic nerves.

Optic Tracts

Relaying visual information from the optic chiasm to the brain's primary visual centers.

Spinal Cord

Carries nerve signals from your brain to the rest of your body and back

Cranial Nerve 1: Olfactory Nerve

the sense of smell

Cranial Nerve 2: Optic Nerve

transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain

Cranial Nerve 3: Oculomotor Nerve

controlling eye movements, eyelid elevation, and pupil constriction

Cranial Nerve 4: Trochlear Nerve

controlling the movement of the superior oblique eye muscle

Cranial Nerve 5: Trigeminal Nerve

Sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing; it is the most complex of the cranial nerves

Cranial Nerve 6: Abducent Nerve

Controls the movement of the lateral rectus muscle in the eye.

Cranial Nerve 7: Facial Nerve

Responsible for forming facial expressions, communicating orally, tasting and tear production

Cranial Nerve 8: Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Controls hearing and balance.

Cranial Nerve 9: Glossopharyngeal Nerve

Controls taste, swallowing, and sensation in the tongue, throat, and ear.

Cranial Nerve 10: Vagus Nerve

Controls your mood, speech, and breathing, among many other vital functions.

Cranial Nerve 11: Accessory Nerve

Controlling the movements of the neck and shoulders

Cranial Nerve 12: Hypoglossal Nerve

Controlling the muscles of the tongue

frontal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement

occipital lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

parietal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch.

central sulcus

separates frontal and parietal lobes

precentral gyrus

the strip of frontal cortex, just in front of the central sulcus, that is crucial for motor control

postcentral gyrus

the strip of parietal cortex, just behind the central sulcus, that receives somatosensory information from the entire body

lateral sulcus

Separates temporal lobe from parietal and frontal lobes

insular lobe

The lobe tucked away in the lateral sulcus. Crucial for taste, awareness of internal organs

temporal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.