brain anatomy (4e) Flashcards
(33 cards)
what protects the brain and spinal cord
bones of the skull and vertebral column
meninges
CSF
blood brain barrier
what are the meninges
three connective tissue membranes
dura mater (outer)
arachnoid (middle)
pia mater (inner)
what is meningitis
inflammation of the meninges caused by bacteria and viruses
what is the location and function of the CSF
between meninges, ventricles, central canal
shock absorption, support brain weight, nourishment, waste removal, intercranial pressure buffer
what are the names of the ventricles of the brain
right and left lateral ventricles, third and fourth ventricles
what is the cerebral aqueduct
connection between third and fourth ventricles
structure and function of blood brain barrier
formed by tight junctions between cells in the walls of capillaries supplying the CNS
protects CNS by selecting the substances that can enter the CSF from the blood (water based molecules have a harder time passing through except glucose)
what are the four anatomical regions of the brain
cerebral hemisphere/cerebrum
diencephalon (thalamus and hypothalamus)
brainstem (midbrain, pons, medulla)
cerebellum
what is the cerebrum composed of
frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes
what is the anatomy of the cerebrum
covered with wrinkles called sulci and the space between them called gyri
longitudinal fissure divides the left and right sides of the brain from front to back
central sulcus separates the frontal from parietal lobes
lateral sulcus separates the frontal and temporal lobes
what hemisphere of the brain controls which side
the right side of the brain receives sensory information and controls movement in the left side of the body
what is the cerebral cortex
thin outer layer on each hemisphere composed of an outer layer of gray matter and an inner layer of white matter
characteristics of the temporal lobe
contains primary auditory cortex (processing of sound)
target for auditory and vestibular sensory information
contains wernicke’s area (language comprehension)
characteristics of the occipital lobe
contains primary visual reception area (visual interpretation)
characteristics of the parietal lobe
contains primary somatosensory cortex at the front of the lobe (sensory information from body)
allows us to sense our position in space
what is located at the back of the somatosensory area
association area that controls fine sensation
what is the sensory homunculus
map of brain areas in the primary somatosensory cortex that receive sensory information from corresponding body regions
characteristics of the frontal lobe
involved in planning, organization, problem solving, behaviour and emotions (higher cognitive functions and personality)
anterior portion is called the prefrontal cortex
where are the motor areas of the cerebral cortex
primary motor cortex is located in the back of the frontal lobe (has been mapped like the somatosensory cortex)
premotor cortex is before the motor cortex
difference between the motor cortex and the premotor cortex
motor cortex contains neurons that produce movement
premotor cortex modifies the movement and serves as storage of motor patterns and voluntary activities
what are cortical association areas
found next to each primary sensory area
communicate with sensory and motor areas and other parts of the brain to analyze and act on sensory input
necessary for perceptual activities (recognizing objects) and associating new info with previously received info (recognizing a face youve seen before)
characteristics of the prefrontal cortex
association area
receives projections from whole cortex
involved in concentration, judgement, personality and working memory (short term information)
characteristics of the limbic system
organized by function
primarily responsible for emotional life and formation of memories
made of the hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala and other nearby areas
characteristics of the hippocampus
two horns that curve from the amygdala
crucial in the conversion of short term memory into long term memory
