lab chap 15

Arbor Vitae

Coordinates motor control and sensory information; involved in motor learning.

A tree-like structure in the cerebellum that carries information to and from the cerebellum.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements such as balance, posture, and motor learning.

Located at the back of the brain, it’s responsible for fine motor control and balance.

Central Sulcus

Separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe; involved in motor and sensory processing.

A prominent groove in the cerebral cortex that divides motor (frontal) and sensory (parietal) regions of the brain.

Cerebral Aqueduct

Channels cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between the third and fourth ventricles.

A small tube that connects the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle, located in the midbrain.

Cerebrum

Higher cognitive functions such as thinking, memory, and voluntary movement.

The largest part of the brain, consisting of two hemispheres; it is involved in a wide range of sensory, motor, and cognitive functions.

Choroid Plexus

Produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that circulates through the brain and spinal cord.

Located in the ventricles of the brain, this tissue filters blood plasma to produce CSF.

Corpora Quadrigemina

Controls reflexes related to vision and hearing (superior colliculus) and eye movements (inferior).

A set of four nuclei in the midbrain that form part of the tectum; includes the superior and inferior colliculi.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, allowing communication between them.

A thick band of nerve fibers located beneath the cerebral cortex that connects the two hemispheres.

Fornix

Involved in the limbic system, particularly memory and emotional responses.

A C-shaped bundle of nerve fibers in the brain that connects the hippocampus to the hypothalamus.

Fourth Ventricle

Contains cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions and nourishes the brain.

Located between the cerebellum and the brainstem, this ventricle is one of the cavities through which CSF circulates.

Hypothalamus

Regulates autonomic functions such as hunger, thirst, temperature control, and hormone release.

Located beneath the thalamus, it is responsible for maintaining homeostasis and regulating the endocrine system through hormone release.

Lateral Sulcus

Separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.

A deep groove on the lateral surface of the brain that separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.

Lateral Ventricle

Contains cerebrospinal fluid, which helps protect the brain from injury.

Located in each hemisphere of the brain, these large cavities contain CSF and circulate it throughout the brain.

Frontal Lobe

Involved in decision-making, problem-solving, planning, and motor function.

The front part of the cerebral cortex, responsible for higher cognitive functions and voluntary motor control.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information and helps with spatial orientation and body awareness.

Located behind the frontal lobe, it integrates sensory information related to touch, spatial awareness, and body positioning.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in auditory processing, memory, and language.

Located below the lateral sulcus, it is responsible for processing auditory information and memory formation.

Occipital Lobe

Primarily responsible for processing visual information.

Located at the back of the brain, it processes information from the eyes and is involved in visual perception.

Longitudinal Fissure

Separates the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

A deep groove that runs from front to back, dividing the brain into two halves.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls autonomic functions such as heart rate, breathing, and digestion.

Located at the base of the brainstem, it connects the brain to the spinal cord and regulates vital life-sustaining functions.

Meninges (Dura Mater)

Protects and covers the brain and spinal cord.

The outermost layer of the meninges, a tough membrane that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord.

Meninges (Arachnoid Mater)

Acts as a cushion for the brain, protecting it from trauma.

The middle layer of the meninges, a web-like structure that also helps circulate cerebrospinal fluid.

Meninges (Pia Mater)

Provides nutrients to the brain and spinal cord.

The innermost layer of the meninges, which is in direct contact with the brain and spinal cord and supplies blood to the nervous system.

Olfactory Bulb

Processes smells detected by the nose.

Located at the base of the brain, it is involved in the sensory processing of smell.

Optic Nerve/Chiasm

Transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.

The optic nerve carries visual information from the eyes, while the optic chiasm is the point where the nerves cross.

Pineal Gland

Regulates sleep-wake cycles through melatonin production.

A small gland located deep in the brain that secretes the hormone melatonin, helping regulate circadian rhythms.

Pituitary Gland (Hypophysis)

Regulates other endocrine glands and vital bodily functions such as growth and metabolism.

A pea-sized gland at the base of the brain that controls many functions through hormone secretion.

Pons

Relays signals between the cerebrum and cerebellum and controls breathing.

Located in the brainstem, it connects the medulla oblongata and the midbrain, involved in sleep regulation and facial movements.

Precentral Gyrus

Contains the primary motor cortex, responsible for voluntary motor movements.

Located in the frontal lobe, just in front of the central sulcus, it is where motor functions are initiated.

Postcentral Gyrus

Contains the primary somatosensory cortex, which processes touch and proprioception.

Located in the parietal lobe, just behind the central sulcus, it processes sensory input such as touch and body position.

Spinal Cord

Transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body, and coordinates reflexes.

A long, cylindrical structure extending from the medulla oblongata that carries sensory and motor information to and from the brain.

Thalamus

Relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

Located deep in the brain, it acts as a relay station for signals between the brainstem and the cerebral cortex.

Third Ventricle

Contains cerebrospinal fluid and circulates it around the brain.

Located in the diencephalon, it is a narrow cavity that is part of the system of ventricles that circulat