A&P Head & Neuroanatomy Anatomy Terms

Inferior colliculi

Bottom two swellings on the posterior aspect of the midbrain - part of the quadrigeminal plate - colliculi means mound - responsible for auditory reflexes - ex: turning your head towards a sound

What are the functional areas of the cerebral cortex generally called? And what are these

Brodmann areas - each area is associated with a particular function and has a number

Function of the medulla

Contains nuclei for cardiovascular control, gagging and coughing reflexes,

Coronal

Crown (literally)

Cranial nerve IX

(glossopharyngeal nerve) - Origin in the medulla

Cerebellum

- Has a convoluted, folded external surface - consists of two (cerebellar) hemispheres that are connected by vermis

3 openings in the fourth ventricle to the subarachnoid space

1 & 2. Paired lateral apertures 3. Median aperture

Where does the cerebrospinal fluid circulate

1. Around the brain in the subarachnoid space 2. In open cavities/ spaces called ventricles * continuous area that allows CSF to flow from one spot to the next

3 important sulci to know

1. Central sulcus 2. lateral sulcus 3. parieto-occipital sulcus

Seven subdivisions of the central nervous system

1. Cerebrum 2. Diencephalon 3. Cerebellum 4. Midbrain 5. Pons 6. Medulla 7. Spinal Cord

Cerebrospinal Fluid

1. Clear fluid that bathes the brain 2. Function is to provide the brain with buoyancy so that it doesn't collapse under its own weight 3. Circulates around the brain in a subarachnoid space and in open cavities or spaces called ventricles

Third Ventricle

1. Contained within the diencephalon

Cranial nerves that originate and have initial axonal projections from the pons

1. Cranial nerve V (trigeminal) 2. Cranial nerve VI (abducent) 3. Cranial nerve VII (facial) 4. and some of Cranial nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear)

What nerves originate in the medulla (6)

1. Cranial nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear) 2. Cranial Nerve IX (glossopharyngeal) 3. Cranial nerve X (vagus) 4. Cranial nerve XI (accessory) 5. Cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal) 6. Spinal nerve I

SIX lobes fo the cerebral cortex

1. Frontal lobe 2. Parietal lobe 3. occipital lobe 4. temporal lobe 5. Insular lobe (just insula) 6. Limbic lobe

What two structures to know in the thalamus and their location

1. Lateral geniculate nucleus (aka body) 2. medial geniculate nucleus *Located at the posterior, inferior and lateral edge of the thalamus just lateral and inferior to the pineal gland and superior and lateral to the quadrigimal plate of the midbrain

Structures Associated with cerebrospinal fluid flow (11)

1. Lateral ventricles 2. Third ventricle 3. Fourth Ventricle 4. Septum pellucidum 5. Interventricular foramen 6. Cerebral aquaduct 7. Central canal 8. Median aperture 9. Cerecellomedullary cistern 10. Choroid plexus 11. Arachnoid granulations

Arachnoid Mater (6)

1. One of the 3 connective tissues covering the brain (meninges) 2. Deep to the dura mater 3. the middle layer of the meninges 4. more delicate structure than dura mater 5. has a meshwork of collagen fibers called the arachnoid trebeculae 6. occupies the subarachnoid space

Pia Mater (6)

1. One of the 3 connective tissues covering the brain (meninges) 2. Deepest layer of meninges 3. very thin and delicate 4. adheres strongly to the brain tissue itself 5. Follows all contours of the cerebrum 6. Gives the brain its shiny glistening appearance

Dura mater (7 characteristics)

1. One of the 3 connective tissues covering the brain (meninges) 2. most superficial 3. toughest and thickest of the three 4. attached to the inner side of the skull 5. covers the brain but does not follow the contours of gyri and sulci 6. splits into two in several places in the cranial cavity 7. dives deep to separate the two the two cerebrum hemispheres in half (at midline) --> flax cerebra

Putamen (5)

1. One of the 5 basal ganglia in the cerebrum 2. Just lateral to the globes pallidus 3. together they look like a discus 4. works with the putamen to plan and coordinate movement 5. Located within the arc of the C of the caudate nucleus

Globus pallidus (5)

1. One of the 5 basal ganglia in the cerebrum 2. Located within the arc of the C of the caudate nucleus 3. anterior and slightly lateral to the thalamus 4. along with the putamen the two look like a discus 5. works with the putamen to plan and coordinate movement

Amygdala (6)

1. One of the 5 basal ganglia in the cerebrum 2. expanded region of the tail of the caudate nucleus 3. involved in emotion 4. Part of the limbic lobe of the cerebral cortex 5. A peanut shaped swelling that appears to come off the anterior aspect of the hippocampus 6. It is actually the end of the tail of the caudate nucleus

Caudate nucleus (7 characteristics)

1. One of the 5 basal ganglia in the cerebrum 2. is a C-shaped structure 3. arc follows the arc of the lateral ventricles 4. form some of the floor of the anterior horn and roof of the inferior horn of the lateral ventricles 5. wraps around the globes pallidus and thalamus 6. involved in controlling fine motor movements 7. RECENT: roles in learning, memory, language, and love

Claustrum (4)

1. One of the 5 basal ganglia in the cerebrum 2. long thin layer of gray matter lateral to the putamen 3. just barely still within the white matter of the cerebrum 4. unknown function

3 connective tissues that cover the brain (meninges) from deep to superficial

1. Pia mater 2. Arachnoid Mater 3. Dura mater

Structures of the hypothalamus to know

1. Pituitary gland 2. Infundibulum 3. optic chiasm

Functionally important nuclei deep within the midbrain that we don't need to identify

1. Substantia nigra 2. Red nucleus 3. Reticular formation

What three tracts of axons connect the cerebellum to the brainstem (and what they connect)

1. Superior cerebellar peduncle - connects the cerebellum to the midbrain 2. Middle cerebellar peduncle - connects the cerebellum to the pons 3. Inferior cerebellar peduncle - connects the cerebellum to the medulla

Cerebral aqueduct

1. aka mesencephalic aqueduct 2. Narrow tube-like space that runs through the midbrain to the fourth ventricle

What does the cerebrum consist of? (3)

1. basal ganglia 2. white matter 3. cerebral cortex

7 Aspects of the limbic lobe of the cerebral cortex (and what they all do)

1. cingulate gyrus 2. parahippocampal gyrus 3. Hippocampus 4. Amygdala 5. Fornix 6. Denate gyrus 7. Mammillary body *all the structures interact to control emotion

What are the three commissural tracts that connect the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex together

1. corpus callosum 2. anterior commissure 3. posterior commissure

What are the main functions of the structures of the brainstem

1. function as a relay area for other parts of the brain 2. origin for cranial nerves 3. site of functionally distinct nuclei for reflexes (involuntary things)

Characteristics of the white matter in the cerebrum

1. it is mostly axons of cell bodies that are traveling to or from the cerebral cortex 2. Bundled in tracts 3. connect the cerebral cortex to other subdivisions of the brain

Lateral ventricles

1. the largest cavities in the ventricular system 2. Located in the cerebrum 3. Separated from each other by a thin membrane called the septum pellucidum

Diencephalon (and what it consists of (3))

A subdivision of the CNS located deep underneath the cerebrum but still superior to the brainstem, near the midline. Consists of: 1. epithalamus 2. thalamus 3. hypothalamus

Cranial nerve VI

Abducent - originate and has initial axonal projections in the pons

Tentorium Cerebelli

An invagination of the dura into the cranial cavity from the scalp that lies over the superior aspect of the cerebellum

What are the lobes of the cerebral cortex defined by

Anatomically distinguished by particular sulci

Hypothalamus (where its at and what it does)

Aspect of the diencephalon region deep within the cerebrum - hangs off the anterior, inferior aspect of the thalamus - sits on top of the sella turcica of the skill - control the endocrine system

Brodmann Area 9-11

Associated with the highest order reasoning and judgment that the brain is capable of - define our personalities - most different from animal brains

Cranial nerve VII

Facial - originate and has initial axonal projections in the pons

How many basal ganglia are there are what are their names?

Five 1. Caudate nucleus 2. putamen 3. globis pallidus 4. claustrum 5. amygdala

Sulci

Grooves or indentations of neural tissue between the gyri

Foramen

Hole, plural form foramina

Brodmann Areas 22 and 42

Inferior but near area 41 - auditory association areas - receive signals from area 41 - conduct more sophisticated information processing on these inputs

Cerebral peduncles

Lies on the anterior aspect of the midbrain - bundles of axons that project from the primary motor cortex (in the precentral gyrus of the cerebral cortex) to the lower brain stem and spinal cord - example of the midbrain's role as a relay station

Brodmann Area 6

Located anterior to area 4 - the premotor area of the cerebral cortex - Involved in coordinating muscle acton - the motor equivalent of the sensory association areas (7 and 40)

Fourth Ventricle

Located between the pons and cerebellum - has the central canal - Has 3 openings to the subarachnoid space (lateral apertures and median aperture)

Areas 1-3 of the Brodmann areas

Located in the postcentral gyrus which are immediately behind the central sulcus - Part of the brain that receives sensory input from receptors throughout the body - input is not random, certain parts of the body signal to certain areas of the 1-3 Areas *Areas 1-3 are the primary somatosensory cortex located on the post central gyrus

Brodmann Area 17

Located on the back of the occipital lobe - the primary visual cortex - the first cortical area to receive inputs form the visual system (from the thalamus because that is where the signals from the retina go)

Brodmann Area 4

Located on the precentral gyrus which is on the other side of the central sulcus than the postcentral gyrus - primary motor cortex - control skeletal muscle movement - oriented similarly to the sensory inputs - Muscles that control the right leg have neurons along the midline of the left precentral gyrus - Muscles that control the right cheek are on the left lateral precentral gyrus

Brodmann Areas 7 and 40

Located posterior to the post central gyrus and make up most of the rest of the parietal lobe - the sensory association areas - receive signals from areas 1-3 and process more sophisticated sensory information

Pons

Means bridge - the middle segment of the brainstem - the fourth ventricle is located near the posterior aspect of it - function 1. relay station 2. origin of cranial nerves 3. site for nuclei controlling automatic or reflexive behaviors *most important nuclei are involved in the timing and depth of breathing

Cranial nerves III

Oculomotor - housed in the midbrain - control some of the muscles of eye movement

Precentral gyrus

On the other side of the central sulcus than the postcentral gyrus - where area 4 is locates (a primary motor cortex)

Middle cerebellar peduncle

One of the axon tracts that connect the cerebellum to the brainstem - Connects the cerebellum to the pons ALSO Forms the most posterior wall of the pons - an axonal tract from the cerebellum to the pons - structure of the pons that functions as a relay center

Inferior cerebellar peduncle

One of the axon tracts that connect the cerebellum to the brainstem - connects the cerebellum to the medulla ALSO Lateral to the olive - from the cerebellum

Superior cerebellar peduncle

One of the axon tracts that connect the cerebellum to the brainstem - connects the cerebellum to the midbrain

Frontal lobe

One of the six lobes of the cerebral cortex - anterior to the central sulcus

Parietal lobe

One of the six lobes of the cerebral cortex - between the central sulcus and the parietal-occipito sulcus

Median Aperture

One of the three opening sin the fourth ventricle to the subarachnoid space - connects the ventricular system (forth ventricle) with the subarachnoid space at a cavity called the cerebellomedullary cistern

Epithalamus

Part of the diencephalon region - at the back of the diencephalon region - consists of the pineal gland and the habenular nucleus

Thalamus

Part of the diencephalon region deep within the cerebrum - consists of an oval shaped mass of gray matter on each side of the midline - connected across the midline by the interthalamic adhesion - responsible for initial processing of sensory information of various kinds (smell, sound, etc.) - transmits signals on to primary areas of the cerebral cortex - 2 nuclei to know are lateral geniculate nucleus and medial geniculate nucleus

Pineal Gland

Part of the epithalamus in the diencephalon region deep within the cerebrum - peneal means pinecone - looks like a tiny pinecone hanging off the back end of the diencephalon - just superior to the quadrigimal plate of the midbrain - releases melatonin

Habenular nucleus

Part of the epithalamus in the diencephalon region deep within the cerebrum - superior to the pineal gland - involved in emotional responses to odor which makes it functionally in the limbic system - still under research

Dentate gyrus

Part of the limbic lobe of the cerebral cortex - a series of folds of gray matter off of the medial aspect of the hippocampus

Hippocampus

Part of the limbic lobe of the cerebral cortex - an area of gray matter located on the superior aspect of the parahippocampal - looks like a swelling off the top of the gyrus

Cingulate gyrus

Part of the limbic lobe of the cerebral cortex - arcs over the top of the corpus callosum - cingulate means to surround - continuous with the parahippocampal gyrus which arcs underneath and lateral to the diencephalon

Parahippocampal gyrus

Part of the limbic lobe of the cerebral cortex - continuous with the cingulate gyrus - arcsunderneath and slightly lateral to the diencephalon - the hippocampus is an area of gray matter located on its superior aspect

Brodmann Areas 18, 19, 20, 21, 37, and 39

Receive signals from area 17 (the primary visual cortex) - each process a different aspect of the visual signal - Huge portion of the cerebral cortex is associated with vision

Postcentral gyrus

Region of the cerebral cortex located immediately behind the central sulcus - where brodmann areas 1-3 are located - primary region for somatosensory cortex - receives sensory (touch, pain, temp) input from receptors throughout the body

What order (moving laterally) are the parts of the area 1-3 of the brodmann areas that receive sensory information from what parts of the body?

Starting at the midline, the closest part receives input from the legs - Moving laterally it goes arms, then hands, then face, then tongue and throat *The right hemisphere receives signals from the left side of the body because of crossing over in the spinal cord

Pituitary gland

Structure associated with the hypothalamus - a grape like structure that hangs off the bottom of the hypothalamus

Infundibulum

Structure associated with the hypothalamus - connects the pituitary to the hypothalamus

Optic chiasm

Structure associated with the hypothalamus - point where the optic nerves cross over

Decussation of the pyramids

Structure where the nerve tracts of the pyramids cross over in the medulla - Result in the right hemispheric primary motor cortex controlling muscles on the left side of the body and vice versa

Olive

Swelling lateral to the pyramids in the anterior aspect of the medulla - axonal tracts of sensory inputs ascending into the brain

Cerebellomedullary Cistern

The cavity where the median aperture connects the fourth ventricle to the subarachnoid space - continuous with the rest of the subarachnoid space

Cerebral cortex

The gray matter on the outer aspect of the cerebrum - divided into lobes (anatomical not functional distinctions) -

Central Canal

The hole in the inferior aspect of the fourth ventricle which runs through the length of the spinal cord

Medulla

The most inferior portion of the brainstem - two tall thin swellings called pyramids are on its anterior - has nuclei responsible for cardiovascular control, reflexes like gagging and coughing

Subdural hemorrhage

The phenomenon that occurs at the subdural space. - There is actually no space between the two layers. However, if the blood vessels in the dura mater were to hemorrhage, the blood would pool between the two layers. - Happens often in medicine

Lepto-

Thin

Arachnoid granulations

Tiny extensions of the arachnoid mater that perch the dura and form tunnels into the sinus - reabsorbed CSF into the blood at the dural sinuses

Cranial nerve V

Trigeminal - originate and has initial axonal projections in the pons

Cranial nerve IV

Trochlear - housed in the midbrain - control some of the muscles of eye movement

Pyramids

Two tall thin swellings on the anterior aspect of the medulla - axonal tracts that originated in the primary motor cortex (on the pre central gyrus of the cerebral cortex) - nerve tracts cross over in the medulla at a structure called the decussation of the pyramids

Cranial nerve VIII

Vestibulocochlear - somewhat originate and has SOME initial axonal projections in the pons

Fossa

a hollowed depression or space

Meatus

a small tunnel-like opening

Fornix

a tract of white matter that connects the hippocampus to the mammillary body (a nucleus in the diencephalon) -Part of the limbic lobe of the cerebral cortex

Midbrain (plus 3 functions)

aka mesencephalon - most superior portion of the brainstem. - Cerebral aquaduct (connecting the third and fourth ventricles) runs through the center of it - functions: 1. as a relay area for other parts of the brain 2. origin for cranial nerves 3. site of functionally distinct nuclei responsible for reflexive type behaviors

Cerebrum

aka telecephalon - the site of conscious thought in the human brain - has two hemispheres - consists of the basal ganglia, white matter, and cerebral cortex

Suture

an immobile joint between skull bones

Mammillary body

an important nucleus in the diencephalon - considered part of the limbic system

Telencephalon

another name for the cerebrum

Basal ganglia

areas of gray matter (neuronal cell bodies) buried within the white matter of each cerebral hemisphere

Subdural Space

boundary between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater where there actually is no space - gets the name because of the subdural hemorrhage phenomenon that happens often in medicine.

Encepal-

brain

How do the lateral ventricles communicate with the third ventricle?

by way of a small opening called the interventricular foramen

Parieto-occipital sulcus

divides the parietal and the occipital lobe

lateral sulcus

divides the temporal lobe from the parietal lobe?

Ot-

ear

Ophthalm-

eye

Tachy-

fast

Squamous

flat

What do the splits in the dura mater in the cranial cavity result in

form the walls of large blood-filled spaces called venous sinuses

Quadrigeminal plate

four swellings on the posterior aspect of the midbrain - top two are called the superior colliculi - bottom two are called the inferior colliculi

Nuclei

group of neural cells found in the same location and with the same function

What does melatonin released by the pineal gland do?

helps control circadian rhythms

Where is CSF made?

in the lateral, third and fourth ventricles by special capillary beds called choroid plexus

Afferent

incoming or toward

Primary fissure

indentation separating the anterior and posterior lobes of the cerebellum

Temporal lobe

inferior to the lateral sulcus

Posterior lobe of the cerebellum

larger back lobe of the cerebellum

Brodmann Area 41

located in the temporal lobe immediately medial to the inner ear - the primary auditory cortex - receives the first signal from the ear - superior to areas 22 and 42

Limbic lobe

more recently added - limbus means border - located deep within the cerebral cortex - lies along the midline - makes a C-shape around the corpus callosum and diencephalon - structures completely encircle the corpus callosum and diencephalon

Insular lobe

more recently added - medial to the temporal lobe and underneath the lateral aspect of the frontal lobe - can be seen if one retracts the temporal lobe at the lateral sulcus - involved with the processing of emotional aspects of the sensory experience

-kinesia

movement

Neuro-

nerve

posterior commissure

one of the three commissural tracts that connect the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex together

Corpus callosum

one of the three commissural tracts that connect the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex together - large structure superior to the lateral ventricles - large enough to help hold the two hemispheres together (axons of neurons)

anterior commissure

one of the three commissural tracts that connect the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex together - smaller tract - anterior to the spot where the thalamus and the hypothalamus come together - about an inch superior of the tuberculum sellae/ optic chiasm in the vertical direction

Efferent

outgoing or away from

-algia

pain

Occipital lobe

posterior to the parietal-occipital sulcus

Gyri

raised folds of neural tissue

Gli-

referring to glial cells - literally means glue

Radicul-

referring to spinal nerve roots

Somatic

referring to the body

Cerebello-

referring to the cerebellum

Visceral

referring to the organs

Pont-

referring to the pons

Thalam-

referring to the thalamus

Vag-

referring to the vagus nerve

Sagittal

refers to a section that splits something into left and right halves - Literally means arrow

Brady-

slow

Anterior lobe of the cerebellum

smaller front lobe of the cerebellum

Choroid plexus

special capillary beds in the lateral, third and fourth ventricles that make CSF

-phasia

speech

Myelo-

spinal cord

Central sulcus

splits the frontal lobe and the parietal lobe - one of the three important sulci to know

Vermis

structure that connects the two cerebellar hemispheres of the cerebellum

Arachnoid trebeculae

the meshwork of collagen fibers in the arachnoid mater - connect the arachnoid mater to the deepest of the meninges (pia mater)

What part of Area 1-3 of the Brodmann areas gets sensory input from the legs

the part closest to the midline

Subarachnoid space

the space that is spanned by the arachnoid trabeculae

Meninges

the three protective connective tissue layers over the brain

Superior colliculi

the top two swellings on the posterior aspect of the midbrain - part of the quadrigeminal plate - colliculi means mound - responsible for visual reflexes - ex turning your head in the direction of something you've noticed in peripheral vision

Falx cerebri

the vertical segment of the dura mater that dives deep into the cranial cavity in the midline separating the two cerebral hemispheres in half

Gloss-

tongue

What are the bundles of the axons grouped together in the brain called?

tracts - axons in a tract travel to similar locations

Cerebellar hemispheres

two halves of the cerebellum that are connected by the vermis - have a smaller anterior lobe and a larger posterior lobe - have an indentation called the primary fissure that separates the lobes

Association tracts

white matter tracts in the cerebral cortex that connect one part of the cortex to another within the same hemisphere

commissural tracts

white matter tracts in the cerebral cortex that connect the two hemispheres together

projection tracts

white matter tracts that connect the cerebral cortex to other subdivisions of the brain