Parts of the Brain/Spinal cord & functions

Pons

-Relays sensory information to cerebellum and thalamus -Subconscious somatic and visceral motor centers

Medulla Oblongata

-Relays sensory information to thalamus and to other portions of the brain stem Autonomic centers for regulation of visceral function (cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive system activities.)

Neuron

86 million, another name for nerve cell

ANS

Autonomic Nervous System-regulates body process, regulates breathing, involuntary.

CNS

Central Nervous System, consists of the brain and spinal cords and optic nerves

How do impulse travel from one neuron to another?

Chemical neurotransmitters help the impulse "JUMP" across the space between the cells.

Lobes of the Brain

Frontal Parietal Occipital Temporal

What is the main function of the spinal cord?

It carries messages to and from the brain and the nerves that go to the muscles and glands.

afferent neurons

Nerve cells that carry impulses towards the central nervous system (CNS)

PNS

Peripheral Nervous System. Arms and legs. Consist of the nerves that connect the CNS. Located outside of the CNS.

Sympathetic System

System-division of the ANS prepares the body for action in an emergency. Fight or Flight

Meninges

The brain and spinal cord are covered and protected by 3 thin layers of tissue (membranes) called the meninges: dura mater - thickest outer layer arachnoid layer - middle, thin membrane pia mater - inner, thin membrane CSF flows in the space between the arachnoid layer and the pia mater. This space is called the subarachnoid space. The tentorium is a flap made of a fold in the meninges. It separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum. The supratentorial area of the brain is the area above the tentorium. It contains the cerebrum, the first and second (lateral) ventricles, the third ventricle, and glands and structures in the centre of the brain. The infratentorial area is located at the back of the brain below the tentorium. It contains the cerebellum and brain stem. This area is also called the posterior fossa.

Brain Stem

The brain stem is a bundle of nerve tissue at the base of the brain. It connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord and sends messages between different parts of the body and the brain. The brain stem has 3 areas: midbrain pons medulla oblongata The brain stem controls: breathing body temperature blood pressure heart rate hunger and thirst Cranial nerves emerge from the brainstem. These nerves control facial sensation, eye movement, hearing, swallowing, taste and speech.

Cerebellum

The cerebellum is the next largest part of the brain. It is located under the cerebrum at the back of the brain. It is divided into 2 parts or hemispheres and has grey and white matter, much like the cerebrum. The cerebellum is responsible for: complex somatic motor patterns adjusts output of other somatic motor centers in brain and spinal cord movement posture balance reflexes complex actions (walking, talking) collecting sensory information from the body

Cerebrum

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is divided into 2 parts (halves) called the left and right cerebral hemispheres. The 2 hemispheres are connected by a bridge of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum. The right half of the cerebrum (right hemisphere) controls the left side of the body. The left half of the cerebrum (left hemisphere) controls the right side of the body. The outer surface of the cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex or grey matter. It is the area of the brain where nerve cells make connections, called synapses, that control brain activity. The inner area of the cerebrum contains the insulated (myelinated) bodies of the nerve cells (axons) that relay information between the brain and spinal cord. This inner area is called the white matter because the insulation around the axons gives it a whitish appearance. The cerebrum is further divided into 4 sections called lobes. These include the frontal (front), parietal (top), temporal (side) and occipital (back) lobes. -Conscious thought processes, intellectual functions -Memory Storage and processing -Conscious and subconscious regulation of skeletal muscle contractions

Ventricles

The ventricles are fluid-filled spaces (cavities) within the brain. There are 4 ventricles: The first and second ventricles are in the cerebral hemispheres. They are called lateral ventricles. The third ventricle is in the centre of the brain, surrounded by the thalamus and hypothalamus. The fourth ventricle is at the back of the brain between the brain stem and the cerebellum. The ventricles are connected to each other by a series of tubes. The fluid in the ventricles is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The CSF flows through the ventricles, around the brain in the space between the layers of the meninges (subarachnoid space) and down the spinal cord.

What is the purpose of the vertebrae?

To protect the spinal cord.

Parasympathetic

Vagus Nerve, decrease heart rate.

Associative

a type of neuron called interneuron because it carries messages between the other two types of neurons.Only in CNS.

Temporal Lobe

controls hearing, memory and emotions. The left temporal lobe also controls speech.

Frontal Lobe

controls movement, speech, behaviour, memory, emotions and intellectual functioning, such as thought processes, reasoning, problem solving, decision making and planning.

Parietal Lobe

controls sensations, such as touch, pressure, pain and temperature. It also controls spatial orientation (understanding of size, shape and direction).

Occipital Lobe

controls vision

Myelin Sheath

fatty tissue that covers axon and speeds up impulses as they travel from cell to cell

Corpus Callosum

is a bundle of nerve fibres between the 2 cerebral hemispheres. It connects and allows communication between both hemispheres.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

is a clear, watery liquid that surrounds, cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord. The CSF also carries nutrients from the blood to, and removes waste products from, the brain. It circulates through chambers called ventricles and over the surface of the brain and spinal cord. The brain controls the level of CSF in the body.

Hypothalamus

is a small structure in the middle of the brain below the thalamus. It plays a part in controlling body temperature, hormone production. A substance that regulates specific body functions, such as metabolism, growth and reproduction. secretion, blood pressure, emotions, appetite, and sleep patterns.

Pituitary Gland

is a small, pea-sized organ in the centre of the brain. It is attached to the hypothalamus and makes a number of different hormones that affect other glands of the body's endocrine system endocrine system The group of glands and cells in the body that make and release hormones (which control many functions such as growth, reproduction, sleep, hunger and metabolism) into the blood.. It receives messages from the hypothalamus and releases hormones that control the thyroid and adrenal gland, as well as growth and physical and sexual development.

Thalamus

is a structure in the middle of the brain that has 2 lobes or sections. It acts as a relay station for almost all information that comes and goes between the brain and the rest of the nervous system in the body. (sensory information)

Pineal Gland

is a very small gland in the third ventricle of the brain. It produces the hormone melatonin, which influences sleeping and waking patterns and sexual development.

efferent

motor neuron,carry or move away from CNS

Synapse

space between the dendrite and axon