Central Nervous System

Ventricles: the 4 connected cerebrospinal fluid filled cavities in the center of the brain

Cerebral aqueduct: small narrow tube connecting the third and fourth ventricles

Choroid plexuses: network of blood vessels in each ventricle of the brain, produces CSF

Cerebrum: most superior portion of the brain responsible for cognitive functions, contains the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and insula lobes

Cerebral hemispheres: two symmetrical halves of the cerebrum

Longitudinal fissure (cerebral fissure): separates the two hemispheres of the brain

Transverse fissure: separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum

Sulci: shallow depression or groove in the cerebral cortex

Lateral sulcus: separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobe

Central sulcus: separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe

Gyrus: rounded, elevated ridge on the surface of the cerebral cortex

Precentral gyrus: part of the brains frontal lobe that controls voluntary movement

Postcentral gyrus: part of the brain that processes general somatic sensations

Cerebral cortex: outermost layer of the brain made of gray matter

Corpus callosum: thick band of nerve fibers connecting the left and right hemisphere

Fornix: c-shaped bundle of nerves acting as the major output tract of the hippocampus

Basal nuclei (ganglia): group of nuclei in the brain involved in many functions

Optic chiasm: part of the brain where the optic nerves cross

Diencephalon: central portion of the brain, superior to the brainstem, inferior to the corpus callosum

Thalamus: structure in the diencephalon, relays sensory input

Interthalamic adhesion: connects the left and right halves of the thalamus

Hypothalamus: regulates hormone production, controls the glands

Pituitary gland: makes, stores, and releases hormones

Infundibulum: hollow stalk connecting the hypothalamus and pituitary gland

Epithalamus: posterior segment of the diencephalon, connects limbic system to brain

Pineal gland: tiny endocrine gland in the middle that helps regulate circadian rhythm

Corpora quadrigemina: four colliculi that control visual and auditory reflexes

Cerebellum: posterior portion of the brain that regulates motor movement and balance control

Vermis: middle part of brain that connects the two cerebellar hemispheres

Arbor vitae: tree-like structure in white matter that provides afferent and efferent info to and from cerebellum

Brainstem: connects the spinal cord to the cerebrum and cerebellum

Midbrain: superior, relays hearing and vision, motor movement, pain, sleep cycles

Pons: links medulla and thalamus, handles unconscious processes and thoughts

Medulla oblongata: inferior, controls vital processes like heart beat and breathing

Brain coverings: 3 layers of tissue called meninges

Dura mater: tough, outermost layer

Arachnoid mater: thin, web-like layer filled with fluid that cushions the brain

Pia mater: thin, clear membrane that adheres to the surface, rich in veins/arteries

Conus medullaris: tapered end of spinal cord located near first two lumbar vertebrae

Cauda equina: bundle of nerves at end of spinal cord that control movement and sensation in lower body

Anterior median fissure: groove along the anterior midline of spinal cord that incompletely divides it into symmetrical halves

Posterior median sulcus: groove in the posterior midline of the spinal cord

Central canal: CSF filled space that runs through the entire spinal cord

Spinal gray matter: tissue in spinal cord made up of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, and axon terminals, located in the center of the spinal cord

Gray commissure: thin strip of gray matter that connects the two halves

Anterior horn: part of spinal cord’s gray matter that controls skeletal muscle

Posterior horn: part of spinal cord’s gray matter that receives sensory info

Lateral horn: small lateral projection that contains neuronal cell bodies of SNS

Spinal nerve roots: short branches of spinal nerves that connect spinal cord to the PNS

Anterior root: carries info away from spinal cord (efferent nerve fibers)

Posterior root: carries info from body to the brain (afferent nerve fibers)

Posterior root ganglion: cluster of neurons in the posterior root of spinal nerve

Anterior rootlets: carry motor info out of the spinal cord

Posterior rootlets: carry sensory info into the spinal cord

Spinal white matter: outer layer of spinal cord containing myelinated axons bundled together

Funiculus (anterior, lateral, posterior): bundle of nerve fibers forming one of the main tracts of the white matter in spinal cord