Ch. 10 Brain Structures

Cerebral Aqueduct

CFS passes through this small canal in the midbrain

Visual receiving area

Collects sensory information from the retina. located in the occipital lobe

Respiratory Center

Controls the muscles of respiration in response to chemical and other stimuli.

Auditory Receiving Area

Detects sound impulses transmitted from the environment. located in the temporal lobe

Limbic System

A diffuse collection of neurons involved in emotional states and behavior. It has extensive connections with all brain regions.

Brain Stem

Anterior region below the cerebrum. 3 divisions: midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata Functions: Connects the cerebrum and diencephalon with the spinal cord.

Pons

Anterior to the cerebellum. Functions: Connects the cerebrum with lower portions of the brain. Helps regulate respiration.

Midbrain

Below center of the cerebrum. Functions: Has reflex centers concerned with vision and hearing.

Cerebellum

Below the posterior portion of the cerebrum and divided into two hemispheres. Functions: Coordinates voluntary muscles. Maintains balance and muscle tone.

Diencephalon

Between the cerebrum and the brain stem. Contains the thalamus and hypothalamus. Functions: The thalamus sorts and redirects sensory input; The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis; controls the autonomic nervous system and pituitary gland.

Medulla Oblongata

Between the pons and spinal cord. Functions: Links the brain with spinal cord. Centers for control of vital functions.

Wernicke Area

Functions in speech recognition and the meaning of words.

Cardiac Center

Helps regulate the rate and force of the heartbeat.

Auditory Association Area

Interrupts the sound. found in the temporal lobe

Cerebrum

Largest and most superior portion of the brain. Divided into two hemispheres; each subdivided into lobes. Functions: Cortex (outer layer) is site for conscious thought, memory, reasoning, and abstract mental functions, all localized within specific lobes.

Frontal Lobe

Lies anterior to the central sulcus. motor functions (movement) involved in planning and conscious thought

Hypothamalmus

Located in the midline area inferior to the thalamus and forms the floor of the third ventricle.

Basal Nuclei

Modulate motor inputs and facilitate practiced, routine motor tasks.

Pariental Lobe

Occupies the superior part of each hemisphere and lies posterior to the central sulcus; estimated sizes, distances, and shape contains primary sensory area

Vasomotor center

Regulates the contraction of smooth muscle in the blood vessel walls and thus controls blood flow and blood pressure.

Reticular Formation

Sausage-shaped network of neuronal cell bodies spanning the length of the brain stem

Hippocampus

Shaped like a sea horse and located under the lateral ventricles.

Thalamus

Sorts out the impulses and directs them to a particular area of the cerebral cortex.

Cingulate Gyrus

The portion of the cerebral cortex looping over the corpus callousum. It associates with emotions with memories.

Amyglada

Two clusters of nuclei deep in the temporal lobes.

Cerebral Cortex

a thin layer of grey matter that covers the cerebral hemisphere; responsible for conscious thought, reasoning and abstract mental thought

Pia Mater

attached to the nervous tissue of the brain and spinal cord and follows all contours of these structures

Cerebrospinal fluid

clear liquid that circulates in and around the brain and spinal cord; supports nervous tissue and to cushion shocks transports waste product from cells produced in ventricles

Lateral Sulcus

curves a long the side of each hemisphere and separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.

Ventricles

four spaces within the brain that CSF forms lateral- largest, located in cerebral hemispheres third- surrounded by diencephalon fourth- located between brain stem and spinal cord horns- extend into lobes of cerebrum

Corpus Callosum

important band of white matter located at the bottom of the longitudinal fissure; its a bridge between left and right hemispheres, permitting impulses to cross from one side of the brain to the other

Primary somatosensory area

impulses from the skin such as touch, pain, & temperature are recieved

Visual association area

interprets the impulses into a mental "picture" located in the occipital lobe

Prefrontal Cortex

involved in memory, problem solving, and conscious thought.

Central Sulcus

lies between the frontal and the parietal lobes of each hemisphere at right angles to the longitudinal fissure

Temporal Lobe

lies inferior to the lateral sulcus and folds under the hemisphere on each side; functions in speech and recognition and the meaning of words (hearing) helps you to smell

Occipital Lobe

lies posterior to the parietal lobe and extends over the cerebellum; contains the visual receiving area, collects sensory information from the retina visual association area, interprets impulses into a mental "picture"

Posterior association area

much of the parietal lobe, as well as portions of the temporal and occipital lobes form this; accepts information from all of the sensory association areas and our memories to construct an integrated view of the world

Choroid Plexus

network of ependymal cells and blood vessels

Primary Motor Area

provides conscious control of skeletal muscles

Interventricular formina

small openings that allow CSF to flow through to get to the third ventricle

Arachnoid Mater

the middle layer of the meninges; loosely attached to the pia mater.

Meninges

three layers of connective tissue that surround both the brain and the spinal cord layers: Dura Mater, Arachnoid Mater, Pia Mater

Dura Mater

toughest of the meninges; in two layers around the brain, outer layer is fused to cranial bones

Broca Area

within the prefrontal cortex in one cerebral hemisphere