Chapter 3b: Brain Anatomy and Hindbrain

The 3 Major Divisions of the Brain:

- 1.) Hindbrain - 2.) Midbrain - 3.) Forebrain

Cerebellum

A large Hindbrain structure with many deep folds. - controls coordination (smooth movements) & skilled movements taught over time (guitar playing, keyboard typing, drawing, etc...) - osterior part of the brain - ____ = (more, but smaller folds); cortex = (less, but larger folds)

Medulla (Medulla Oblongata)

A structure of the brain that is just above the spinal cord and could be regarded as an enlarged extension of the spinal cord but located in the skull. - controls some vital reflexes (breathing, heart rate, vomiting, salivation, coughing, sneezing)

Cranial Nerves

Nerves that control sensations from the head, muscle movements in the head, and much of the parasympathetic output to the organs. - the Medulla controls some vital reflexes through the ___ ___ - are 12 of them (pg. 90) - each one originates in a nucleus

Cerebral Cortex

The layer of cells on the outer surface of the cerebral hemispheres of the fore brain.

Hindbrain

The posterior part of the brain, consists of the Medulla, Pons, and Cerebellum.

Pons

The structure of the brain in which axons from each half of the brain cross to the opposite side of the spinal cord so that the left hemisphere controls the muscles of the right side of the body an the right hemisphere controls the left side. - contains nuclei for several Cranial Nerves - controls: sleep/wake cycle & attention

Reticular Formation

This brain structure has two parts: descending and ascending - descending: controls the motor areas of the spinal cord - ascending: sends output to much of the Cerebral Cortex, selectively increasing arousal and attention in one area or another - contained within the Medulla and Pons

Brainstem

This brain structure is made of the Pons, Midbrain, and certain central structures of the Forebrain.