2. Functional Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology Flashcards
(128 cards)
1
Q
The brain is suspended in what?
A
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
2
Q
The brain is the centre of…
A
Cognition, emotion, behaviour and consciousness
3
Q
Santiago Ramon y Cajal was a Spanish anatomist who studied what?
A
The structure of the nervous system by going through slices of the brain tissues to create a picture of neurons and what they look like
4
Q
Outline the neurone ‘doctrine’
A
Neurons…
- Are the basic unit of the NS
- Are distinct and separate from each other (they are not interconnected)
- Have cells bodies, axons and dendrites
- Transmit information (in one direction only)
5
Q
What are the 4 ways in which the neuron receives and processes signals?
A
- Collects information
- Integrates information
- Conducts information
- Outputs information
6
Q
What are the 3 ways in which we know that neurons connect to other neurons?
A
- Can stimulate other neurons
- Can inhibit other neurons
- Can send output to many neurons
7
Q
What do dendrites do & what zone are they referred to?
A
They seek information from other neurons and are considered the input zone
8
Q
Cell body acts as which zone?
A
The integration zone
9
Q
Information travels down the axon to the axon terminals where….
A
A synapse will connect the axon terminals to another neuron
10
Q
What are the 2 main cells in the NS?
A
Neurons and Glia
11
Q
Describe features of Neurons and Glia
A
The ‘building blocks’ of the nervous system
Small
Low contrast under a microscope
12
Q
Which cell is the main cell of the NS and which has a more supportive role?
A
Neurons = main Glia = supportive
13
Q
Neurons can connect to make __, __, or __
A
Circuits, chains or networks
14
Q
Give an example of a circuit, chain and network
A
Circuit - simple reface arc
Chains - retina
Networks - convergence and divergence
15
Q
Where are networks present?
A
In the cortex
16
Q
The function of a neural circuit depends on…
A
- How the neurons are connected
- How strong the connections are
- Whether the synapses are excitatory (EPSP) or inhibitory (IPSP)
17
Q
What is critical between excitatory and inhibitory synapses?
A
Balance
18
Q
What do Glia cells not take part in?
A
The signalling or processing
19
Q
What is the main function of glia cells?
A
To sustain the neurons by ensuring that nutrients are supplied to the neurons
20
Q
What are the 2 functions that glia cells are through to have?
A
Protective function and metabolic function
21
Q
What are the 4 types of glia?
A
Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes
Schwann cells
Microglia
22
Q
Astrocytes attach to blood vessels and neurons to provide…
A
Physical support as well as blood and oxygen
23
Q
How do astrocytes ensure that each neuron gets enough oxygen?
A
By detecting how active neurons are and providing the sufficient nutrients required
24
Q
What is the function of astrocytes in terms of synapses?
A
They keep them separate and clean up any debris
25
What is the main function of oligodendrocytes?
To support and insulate axons which speeds up neurotransmission (the myelin sheath)
26
Oligodendrocytes latch around the axon and excels their membrane around it multiple times to serve as...
An electrical insulation - myelination
27
Oligodendrocytes are only found where?
The CNS
28
What is multiple sclerosis?
A demyelinating disease which causes issues with motor and cognitive functions
29
Describe the 3 main functions of microglia and which disease they may be responsible for
1. Precursors of blood cells
2. Part of the brain's immune system
3. Related to macrophages (eats up debris_
May be responsible for Alzheimers
30
The CNS is made up of what?
The brain and spinal cord
31
The PNS (Peripheral nervous system) is made up of what?
All nerves and neurons that reside outside, or extend beyond the CNS
32
What is a nerve?
An enclosed bundle of axons
33
Why is there great interest in medicine in the PNS?
Because lots of diseases can cause issues in the PNS
34
What are the structural subdivisions in the PNS?
Cranial nerves
| Spinal nerves
35
How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?
12
36
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
31
37
What are the functional subdivisions of the PNS?
Somatic nervous system and the automatic nervous system
38
What is the somatic nervous system?
The part of the NS that regulates emotion and conscious sensations
39
What is the autonomic nervous system?
The unconscious part which keeps your body working
40
What are the two aspects of the ANS?
Sympathetic NS
| Parasympathetic NS
41
What are cranial nerves really important for?
Our perceptions
| All our main senses are connected via them
42
Spinal nerves connect through...
'Branches' which are known as roots
43
Outline the different pairs of spinal nerves
```
8 cervical nerve pairs,
12 thoracic nerve pairs,
5 lumbar nerve pairs,
5 sacral nerve pairs,
1 coccygeal nerve pair
```
44
Each nerve has a ___ root (2 different types)
Ventral root and Dorsal root
45
What does the ventral root contain?
Efferent fibres (projecting away from the CNS - come from the brain back to the spinal cord)
46
What does the dorsal root contain?
Afferent fibres (projecting towards the CNS - come from the spinal cord to the brain)
47
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
Prepares the body for action - fight/flight response
48
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
Generally helps the body to relax, recuperate and prepare for future action
49
The CNS is the ___ part of the nervous system
Largest
50
What is the CNS cushioned by and protected by?
Cushioned by fluid and protected by bone
51
What are the membranes that cover the CNS called?
Meninges
52
What are the 3 meninges?
Pia mater - soft matter
Arachnoid mater - spider-like
Dura mater - hard matter
53
What is the purpose of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
For protection and nutrition
54
The CSF is critical for...
Survival to protect the NS
55
The CSF helps prevent the brain from...
Moving around too much and becoming physically damaged
56
CSF also fills what in the brain?
Large ventricles
57
What are the two types of matter in the brain?
Grey and white matter
58
What is grey matter and where is it found?
The cells bodies of neurons - found on the cerebral cortex or in concentrated areas of cell body nuclei
59
What is white matter and where is it found?
The axons of neurons - found on the outside of the spinal cord
60
Define lateral
To the side
61
Define medial
To the middle
62
Define Ipsi
Same
63
Define contra
Opposite
64
Define Ipsilateral
On the same side
65
Define contralateral
On the opposite side
66
Define bilateral
On both sides
67
Define superior
To the top
68
Define inferior
To the bottom
69
Define anterior
To the front
70
Define posterior
To the back
71
Define dorsal
Towards the backbone
72
Define ventral
Towards the stomach
73
Define rostral
Towards the snout
74
Define caudal
Towards the tail
75
What are the 3 slices?
Coronal, Sagittal and Horizontal
76
What are the 4 parts of the CNS?
Spinal cord, brainstem, diencephalon and the forebrain
77
What makes up the brainstem?
Hindbrain, mesencephalon - cerebellum
78
What makes up the diencephalon?
The thalamus and hypothalamus
79
What makes up the forebrain
The isocortex, basal ganglia and the limbic system
80
What is the main function of the spinal cord?
Connects the brain and body
81
What does the spinal cord house?
Local reface pathways
82
Damage to the brainstem is usually...
Fatal
83
What is the Medulla Oblongata?
The extended marrow
84
What does the midbrain provide?
Important info for the eyes and ears
85
The pons is involved in controlling what?
Nerves
86
What vital body functions does the brainstem control?
Breathing, heartbeat, artery dilation, salivation and vomiting
87
What is the pons closely connected to and what is it important for?
Connected to the cerebellum - important for movement and balance
88
The midbrain contains important...
Sensory and motor centres
89
Where does the cerebellum sit?
On top of the brainstem
90
What does the cerebellum do once the brain has sent 'copies' of commands to the cerebellum?
Compels the predicted response to what it actually receives and will make corrections
91
The cerebellum coordinates movements such as...
Balance, motor planning, motor learning and eye movement control
92
Outline the 5 features of the thalamus
1. Complete cluster of nuclei
2. Connected to almost any area of the cortex
3. Most important relay station for outputs and inputs to the cortex
4. Involved in regulating sleep
5. Decides what needs to be sent to the cortex
93
What are the 3 main features of the hypothalamus
1. A cluster of numerous nuclei
2. Regulates homeostasis, metabolic processes, autonomic activities
3. Links the nervous and endocrine system via pituitary gland
94
What does the pituitary gland do?
Releases reproductive, sex and growth hormones into the bloodstream via the hypothalamus
95
What is the basal ganglia comprised of?
The caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallid us and substantiated nigra
96
What is the basal ganglia important for?
Motor control
97
What is the limbic system involved in?
Emotion, motivation and emotional memory
98
The hippocampus (in the limbic system) is essential for the formation of what?
Memories
99
What does the olfactory bulb mediate?
The sense of smell
100
What is the largest part of the human brain?
The cerebrum
101
The cerebrum consists of how many cerebral hemispheres and what are these connected by?
2 which are connected by the corpus callosum
102
What characterises the cerebral cortex?
Layers
103
How thick is the cerebral cortex?
2-4mm
104
The type of cortex in the cerebrum is called what?
The isocortex or also the neocortex
105
How many layers of cells does the isocortex have?
6
106
The allocortex has less than _ layers
6
107
The cerebral cortex forms a single deeply folded surface which allows for what?
A larger surface area (about 1 square meters)
108
Define gyrus (pl. gyri)
A ridge in the cerebral cortex
109
Define sulcus (pl. sulci)
A groove
110
The surface of the cerebral cortex is organised into what type of areas?
Cortical areas
111
Each cortical area is defined by having a unique combination of how many criteria?
3 (or 4)
112
What are the specific criteria for each cortical area?
1. Physiology (function)
2. Architecture (anatomy)
3. Connectivity (connections)
4. (Topography (maps))
113
How many lobes are there in the brain?
4
114
What are the 4 lobes?
1. Frontal
2. Parietal
3. Temporal
4. Occipital
115
Which is the smallest of the 4 lobes?
the Occipital lobe
116
What is the occipital lobe exclusively concerned with?
Visual processing
117
What separates the occipital lobe and the parietal love?
The parietal-occipital sulcus
118
Which is the most active lobe?
The occipital lobe
119
What separates the parietal lobe from the frontal lobe?
The central sulcus
120
What is the parietal lobe important for?
1. Somatosensory perception
2. Intersensory integration
3. Spatial vision
4. Spatial attention
121
Give an example of somatosensory perception
Touch
122
What is intersensory integration from the parietal lobe?
Integrates different information from our sense
123
If the parietal is lesioned, what can this lead to?
Visual neglect (such as, Gerstmann's syndrome & Balint's syndrome)
124
What separates the temporal lobe from the frontal lobe?
The Sylvian fissure
125
Where is the sense of hearing mediated?
The superior temporal gyrus (A1)
126
What separates the parietal lobe from the frontal lobe?
By the central sulcus
127
What is the largest lobe?
The frontal love
128
What are the 4 main functions of the Frontal lobe?
1. Movement
2. Impulse control
3. Decision making
4. Planning & executing behaviour
