4 The Brain - Anatomy

Course Overview

• Biological Psychology

• Course Code: 4PSYC003W

Protection: The Meninges

• Structure:

  • Skin

  • Aponeurosis

  • Periosteum

  • Bone

  • Meninges (Dura mater, Arachnoid, Pia mater)

  • Arachnoid trabeculae

Meninges Description

• Dura Mater: Tough outer layer

• Arachnoid Mater: Spider-like middle layer

• Pia Mater: Tender inner layer

Specific Structures of Dura Mater

• Falx Cerebri

• Tentorium Cerebelli

• Superior & Inferior Sagittal Sinus

Cerebral Arteries

• Major arteries in the brain:

  • Right Anterior Cerebral Artery

  • Anterior Communicating Artery

  • Right Internal Carotid Artery

  • Left Middle Cerebral Artery

  • Right Posterior Communicating Artery

  • Right Posterior Cerebral Artery

  • Basilar Artery

  • Left Vertebral Artery

Circle of Willis

• An arterial circle providing blood supply:

  • Right & Left Anterior Communicating Arteries

  • Anterior Cerebral Arteries

  • Middle Cerebral Artery

  • Posterior Communicating Arteries

  • Posterior Cerebral Arteries

  • Verterbral Arteries

Blood Brain Barrier

• Capillaries in the Body: Fenestrated with loose junctions

• Capillaries in the Brain: Non-fenestrated with tight junctions

The Ventricular System

• Components:

  • Lateral Ventricles

  • Third Ventricle

  • Cerebral Aqueduct

  • Fourth Ventricle

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

• Functions:

  • Cushions the brain and spinal cord

  • Buoyancy

  • Nutrient supply

  • Waste removal

• Location:

  • Ventrical regions and subarachnoid space

• Creation: Choroid plexus in lateral, third, and fourth ventricles

Cortical Cell Layers

• Types of Cells:

  • Small pyramidal cells

  • Large pyramidal cells

  • Spindle cells

• Layers:

  • Molecular layer

  • External granular layer

  • Internal granular layer

  • Inner pyramidal layer

  • Multiform layer

Lobes of the Brain

• Frontal Lobe: Motor functions, sensory modalities, memory

• Parietal Lobe: Somatosensory processing

• Occipital Lobe: Visual processing

• Temporal Lobe: Auditory processing and emotion

• Cerebellum: Coordination and memory aspects

Topographical Organisation

• Body representation in motor and sensory cortex:

  • Nose, Face, Lips, Toes, Genitals, Jaw, Tongue

Sagittal Section Overview

• Key Components:

  • Limbic Lobe, Cingulate Gyrus, Fornix, Putamen, Corpus Callosum

Brainstem and Structures

• Components include:

  • Pineal Gland

  • Thalamus

  • Pons

  • Medulla

Coronal and Transverse Sections

• Crucial structures:

  • Caudate Nucleus

  • Thalamus

  • Fornix

  • Internal Capsule

Brain Tracts

• Key Tracts:

  • Corpus Callosum

  • Internal Capsule

  • Cingulate Gyrus

  • Decussation of Pyramids

  • Anterior Commisure

  • Lateral and Anterior Cerebrospinal Fasciculus