brain structures

corpus callsoum a broad band of nerve fibers joining the two hemispheres of the brain; super highway
limbic system neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
amygdala a limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression
hippocampus a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage
cingulate cortex primary cortical component of the limbic system, involved in emotional and cognitive processing
basal ganglia structures in the forebrain that help to control movement
globus pallidus component of the basal ganglia that connects to the thalamus which relays information to the motor areas and the prefrontal cortex
nucleus accumbens a basal ganglia structure that participates in reward and addiction
olfactory bulb a brain structure located above the nasal cavity beneath the frontal lobes; smell information
thalamus the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
hypothalamus a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion
midbrain region between the hindbrain and the forebrain; it is important for hearing and sight
forebrain the largest and most complicated region of the brain, including the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebrum
endbrain telencephalon (cerebrum)
substantia nigra area of the midbrain that is involved in motor control and contains a large concentration of dopamine-producing neurons
ventral tegmental area (VTA) midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood, reward, and addiction
periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) a region surrounding the cerebral aqueduct in the core of the midbrain, with descending pathways that can inhibit the transmission of pain-causing signals
tectum a part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the environment
tegmentum ventral part of the midbrain; includes the periaqueductal gray matter, reticular formation, red nucleus, and substantia nigra; involved in movement and arousal
hindbrain medulla, pons, cerebellum
pons brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
cerebellum the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance
medulla the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
frontal lobe The lobe at the front of the brain associated with movement, speech, and impulsive behavior; higher cognitive function
temporal lobe area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory information
parietal lobe portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position
occipital lobe region of the cerebral cortex towards the rear back that processes visual information
primary motor cortex the section of the frontal lobe responsible for voluntary movement
primary sensory cortex regions of the cerebral cortex that initially process information from the senses
somatosensory cortex primary sensory cortex in the parietal lobe that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
auditory cortex the area of the temporal lobe responsible for processing sound information
visual cortex visual processing areas of cortex in the occipital (and temporal) lobes
association cortex regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate simpler functions to perform more complex functions; in all lobes; 90% of cerebral cortex
cerebrum largest part of the brain; responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought, and memory.
brain stem connection to spinal cord; filters information flow between peripheral nervous system and the rest of the brain

Central Nervous System (CNS): brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): cranial and spinal nerves

Somatic Nervous System (SNS): skeletal muscles; conscious control

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): balances internal organs; non-conscious control

Sensory function: get and integrate information about the world and create a sensory reality

Motor function: control movements

Plasticity: the brain’s ability to adapt to change in the world by changing physical/chemical properties

Sulci: a groove in the brain cortex

Gyri: a bump on the brain cortex

What is the medulla’s role in respiration? controls breathing rhythm

How does the medulla act as a vomiting center? it detects toxins/poisons and initiates vomiting

Why is CSF important? protects the brain and spinal cord

What causes hydrocephalus? too much CSF, leads to pressure and swelling of the head; has to be drained

Sympathetic division of ANS: rest and digest; stores energy

Parasympathetic division of ANS: fight or flight; automatic response