Brain practical study guide

pituitary gland (hypophysis)

-"Master Gland"--controls many body processes through secretion of various hormones

cranial nerves

12 pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain

spinal nerves

31 pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord. Carry impulses to and from the spinal cord

circle of willis

A circle of arteries at the base of the brain that supply blood to the brain

lateral ventricle

A complexly shaped lateral portion of the ventricular system within each hemisphere of the brain.

frontal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement. Essentially, it is the area of executive decision making

occipital lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

Parietal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch. Receives sensory input for touch and body positioning. Includes determining the sense of taste or gustation.

superior sagittal sinus

A venous sinus located in the midline just dorsal to the corpus callosum, between the two cerebral hemispheres. It allows blood to drain from the lateral aspects of anterior cerebral hemispheres to the confluence of sinuses.

Where does a stroke/aneurysm occur?

An aneurysm is a ballooning of an artery that can occur anywhere in the body. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, possibly by an aneurysm. Would occur in the circle of willis

Temporal lobe

An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory information, as well as smell (olfactory).

pons

Consists of white matter and and scattered masses of nuclei. The white matters acts as a bridge connecting the spinal cord to the brain by way of nerve fibers that travel longitudinally and transversely. Some nuclei operate with the centers in the medulla oblongata in regulating breathing rhythm, while others rely sensory impulses from peripheral nerves to the cerebral cortex. Also involved in regulating heart rate and blood pressure. Word origin: bridge

thalamus

Contains clusters of neuron cell bodies (nuclei), many of which serve as relay stations for most sensory impulses on their way to the cerebral cortex for processing. Word origins=thalamos=inner chamber

longitudinal fissure

Divides the right and left cerebral hemispheres across the midline of the brain

hypothalamus

Is the control center for the autonomic nervous system. It regulates all visceral activities such as digestion, respiration, and heart rate. It also serves as an intermediary between the nervous and endocrine system in that it stimulates or inhibits the pituitary gland. Word origins: hypo=below, thalamos=inner chamber

choroid plexus

Responsible for the production of CSF within the ventricles by the filtration of blood plasma through dense networks of capillaries. Word origins: vascula, plexus=network

spinal cord

Serves as a conduction pathway for impulses traveling between the brain and peripheral nerves, and as a reflex center

optic tract

The bridge that sensory impulses travel from the optic chiasm to the thalamus for integration and processing

cerebrum

The largest structure of the brain. Often called the "higher brain" because of it's varied and complex functions in conscious thought, memory, and learning. It also receives and interprets sensations, and initiates motor responses. It is divided into right and left portions called cerebral hemispheres. word origin: brain/skull

cerebellum

The posterior portion of the hindbrain. It consists mostly of white matter, with a thin shell of grey matter. The white matter forms the branching structure called the arbor vitae. This structure contains fibers that carry sensory information from sensory organs in muscles, joints, and the inner ear and enable the brain to determine the status of voluntary motor activities, equilibrium, and balance. word origin: little brain

somatic sensory area

area of the brain where impulses traveling from the body's sensory receptors (except for the special senses) are localized and interpreted. word origin: somatic=body

4th ventricle

between pons and cerebellum

ventricles of the brain

canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid word origins: ventri=belly/chamber, cle=little

White matter in cerebrum and cerebellum

carry nerve impulses between neurons

medulla oblongata

composed of white matter on the outside and grey matter on the inside. It's white matter consists of all the ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) nerve fibers that extend between the brain and spinal cord. They grey matter consists of reflex centers that play a role in visceral reflexes, consciousness, and arousal. Contains a cardiac center, vasomotor center, and a respiratory center. word origin: medulla=central part and oblongata=long

right hemisphere of brain

controls left side of the body and contains creativity and the arts

left hemisphere of the brain

controls right side of the body and is logical, contains mathamatics, lauguage, & speech

arachnoid

delicate middle layer of the meninges word origin: arachnid=spider-like

optic nerve

each of the second pair of cranial nerves, transmitting impulses to the brain from the retina at the back of the eye.

3rd ventricle

found in the diencephalon and communicates with lateral ventricles via intraventricular foramen

skull/cranium

head

grey matter in cerebrum and cerebellum

includes regions of the brain involved in muscle control, and sensory perception such as seeing and hearing, memory, emotions, speech, decision making, and self-control.

Meningies

protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, contains the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater

primary motor area

sends impulses to skeletal muscles

central fissure

separates frontal and parietal lobes

corpus callosum

the bridge connecting the two cerebral hemispheres. It is composed to white matter, and it relays impulses from one hemisphere to another word origin: corpus=body, callosum=hard

sulci

the deep grooves in the cerebrum

pia mater

the delicate innermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord. word origin: pia=tender, mater=mother

gyri

the elevated folds of the cerebrum

olfactory bulb

the first brain structure to pick up smell information from the nose

optic chiasm

the point in the brain where the visual field information from each eye "crosses over" to the appropriate side of the brain for processing

dura mater

thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord. word origin: hard, feminine, mater=mother

Where is CSF located?

ventricles and subarachnoid space

arbor vitae

white matter of the cerebellum. It brings sensory and motor information to and from the cerebellum. word origin: the tree of life