Nervous System: The Brain and Spinal Cord

cerebrospinal fluid flows in the...

"subarachnoid space"

responsible for developing and refining muscle coordination and balance

Cerebellum

the quality control center for the body's motor activities

Cerebellum

the hub that possesses specialized nerve centers that interpret sensory stimuli and determine motor responses

Cerebrum

the primary hub for intelligence, creativity, and reasoning

Cerebrum

The 3 meningeal layers from superficial to deep...

Dura mater, Arachnoid mater, Pia mater (DAP)

a collection of neural structures that surround the superior edge of the brainstem and are believed to play an important role in memory, emotion, and learning

Limbic system

a triple-layered membrane that surrounds and protects the delicate tissues of the brain and spinal cord

Meninges

The 3 meningeal layers from deep to superficial...

Pia mater, Arachnoid mater, Dura mater (PAD)

appears to play a critical role in the ability to effectively process and express emotions, especially those involving anger, fear, and love

amygdala

Damage to the dorsal results in loss of sensation, which is called _________________, while damage to the ventral root results in the inability to respond to stimuli, which is called __________________.

anesthesia, paralysis

appears to be strongly associated with our ability to link actions to outcomes (causes and effects) ~ which promotes learning

cingulate gyrus

The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres (left/right) that are connected in the middle by a dense cluster of "powerlines" called the...

corpus callosum

the superficial part of the cerebrum is the...

cortex

all sensory/motor nerves to and from the cerebrum pass through the medulla where they criss-cross to form the...

decussation of the pyramids

The _______________________ receives sensory information from the body's receptors, while the ________________________ delivers the motor responses to the body's effectors.

dorsal (afferent) root, ventral (efferent) root --- enters the dorsal and leaves the ventral

deep grooves

fissures

lobe that interprets the sense of smell (olfaction)

frontal lobe

lobe that plays a primary role in higher order thinking such as problem solving, analysis, planning, and foresight

frontal lobe

bulges

gyri

vital body processes include...

heart-rate, breathing, and blood pressure

appears to be actively involved in converting short-term memory to long-term memory

hippocampus

functions as the "general manager" of homeostasis by coordinating the activities of both the nervous system (impulses) and endocrine system (hormones)

hypothalamus

The numerous convolutions (folds) in the cerebrum function to ______________ for neural connections

increase surface area

The Central Nervous System (CNS) consists of both the brain and spinal cord and is composed mainly of...

interneurons

the hemisphere that is oriented more toward logic and reason

left hemisphere

the most inferior part of the brainstem where 3 of the 4 vital body processes are regulated

medulla oblongata

the part of the brainstem that controls some non-vital body processes such as swallowing, coughing, sneezing, and vomiting

medulla oblongata

controls the body's reflexive movements in response to visual and auditory stimuli

midbrain

the deeper part of the cerebrum is composed primarily of ___________________ and is called "white matter"

myelinated axons

lobe that interprets visual stimuli

occipital lobe

lobe that interprets the sense of touch (tactility) and sensations such as pain, pleasure, and temperature

parietal lobe

the "bridge" that allows for nerve signals to pass from the medulla oblongata to the cerebrum and cerebellum

pons

a nerve center in the medulla called the __________________ acts as a "watchdog" to alert the cerebrum and cerebellum when intense sensory stimuli are detected.

reticular formation

the hemisphere that is oriented more toward emotion and creativity

right hemisphere

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) consists of all parts of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord and is composed of all the ________________ leading to and from the brain and spinal cord (CNS)

sensory and motor neurons

The cortex is composed primarily of __________ and is referred to as "gray matter"

somas

shallow grooves

sulci

lobe that interprets the sense of hearing (audition)

temporal lobe

lobe that interprets the sense of tate (gustation)

temporal lobe

lobe that is responsible for the understanding of language

temporal lobe

acts as a relay station for all sensory and motor signals (except olfaction) going to and coming from the cerebral cortex ~ functions as the brain's "post office"

thalamus

the hypothalamus is also responsible for (among many)...

thirst and hunger, sleep/wake cycle, body temperature, sexual behavior