Central Nervous System

Central Nervous system (CNS) → brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system (PNS) → connect out to rest of the body

meninges → connective tissue that surrounds and protects CNS

cerebrospinal fluid → fluids that surround CNS & provide connection to endocrine system

notochord →

cerebral cortex → outermost layer & largest of the cerebral hemisphere

reticular formation

thalamus → brain region that interprets sensory input and signals the cerebrum

Blood brain barrier → A network of blood vessels and tissue that is made up of closely spaced cells and helps keep harmful substances from reaching the brain

Spinal Cord → runs from skull to pelvis

Major Regions of Brain & Functions

Regions

Forebrain → largest brain region

• Corpus callosum - thick band of axons connecting left and right of the cerebral hemisphere

midbrain → contains structure (hypothalamus) involved in processing audio and visual info.

hindbrain → at the base of brain and connects brain to spinal cord

• pons → coordinate movements of right and left side of body

• cerebellum → coordinates movement, balance, and posture

• Reticular formation → regulates attention & alertness

• Medulla → controls vital life functions - ex: breathing, heartbeat, etc.

Frontal lobes → executive functions

• thinking

• planning

• problem solving

• personality

• organizing

Parietal lobes → perception

• making sense of the world

• spelling

• arithmetic

Temporal lobes → memory/ language

• memory

• understanding

• language

Occipital lobes → vision

Thalamus → directs messages to the correct region

Hypothalamus → oversees hormone response

Spinal Cord Arrangement