Gross Anatomy

The divisions of the Nervous System

Nervous System:

Central Nervous System:

Peripheral Nervous System: Sensory Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System

Autonomic Nervous System: Sympathetic and Parasympathetic

\ What are some similarities and differences between human brains and the brains of other mammals?

Similarities: brain ares, connections between ares, and types of neurons

Differences: brain sizes, development of specific parts olfactory bulb, auditory cortex

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What are the 3 primary divisions of the brain? 

hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain

What 3 structures comprise the brainstem? Hindbrain?

Brainstem: MidBrain, Pons, Medulla

Hindbrain: Cerebellum

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For the following brain structures, be able to identify them on a midline section of the brain, and know the major functions they are involved in: medulla, pons, cerebellum, midbrain, thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pineal gland, corpus callosum

Medulla: controls vital relflexes (breathing, heart rate)

Pons: involved in sleep/ REM sleep

MidBrain: Reflexive orienting to vital and auditory stimuli, intrinsic, descending pain control system (2 major sources of dopamine)

Cerebellum: movement and coordination (rate, range, force, and direction)

Thalamus: Relay Station/ filter for sensory information on its way to the cortex

Hypothalamus: Involved in drive related behaviors and maintenance of homeostasis 

(balance of hormones)

Pituitary Gland: Hormone Producing (makes and releases hormones) into the bloodstream

Olfactory Bulb: Processes sense of smell

Pineal Gland: Makes and secretes melatonin (for sleep)

Corpus Callosum: Huge bundle of axons that connects the 2 hemispheres of the cortex

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We discussed 2 systems: the limbic system and the basal ganglia. Know the general function(s) of each. What are the 2 major structures of the limbic system?

Limbic System: Hippocampus (Memory)  and Amygdala (Emotion)

Basal Ganglia: interconnected structures for the facilitation of 

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On a lateral view of the brain, be able to locate the lobes of the cortex and give functions associated with each. Included in this, be sure that you identify which lobe contains each of the following: motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, auditory cortex, visual cortex, prefrontal cortex, Broca’s area, Wernike’s area. Also be able to describe or label the lateral fissure, longitudinal fissure, and central sulcus.

Frontal Lobe: Primary Motor Cortex, Brocas’s Area, Prefrontal Cortex

Temporal Lobe: Wernike’s Area, Primary Auditory Cortex

Occipital Lobe: Priamry Visual Cortex

Parietal Lobe: Primary Somatosensory Cortex, 

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What are ventricles? What is in them?

Ventricles are a network of hollow spaces that holds and creates Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Cerebrospinal Fluid is what flows through ventricles, then through the brain, and then absorbed into blood circulation.

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What are the meninges (know the layers) and what is the general function of the meninges? How is this function achieved?

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Meninges have three layers: Dura Mater, Arachnoid Matter, and Pia Mater. There is Cerebrospinal Fluid in the subarachnoid space. This stabilizes and protects the Central Nervous System.