Brain Atlas (Functions) Flashcards by Alexa Lambros

inferior olivary nucleus (ION)

coordinates signals from the spinal cord to the cerebellum to regulate motor coordination and learning

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flocculus

small lobe of cerebellum; aids in learning basic motor skills

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superior parietal lobule

Spatial orientation
Receives a great deal of visual input
Receives sensory input from one’s hand
Also involved with other general functions of the parietal lobe

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orbital gyri

important in emotion and inhibition

tends to get damaged in TBIs from the brain rubbing against the skull in this area

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temporal pole

corresponds to Brodmann area 38

has strong connections with the amygdala and orbital prefrontal cortex

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postcentral gyrus

site of the primary somatosensory cortex

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supramarginal gyrus

portion of the parietal lobe

plays a role in phonological processing and emotional responses

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choroid plexus

highly vascular portion of the pia mater

projects into the ventricles of the brain

secretes cerebrospinal fluid

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superior frontal gyrus

thought to contribute to higher cognitive functions and particularly to working memory (WM)

NOTE: function is debated

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frontal pole

monitor action outcomes¹

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superior temporal gyrus

plays a role in verbal and nonverbal communication

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angular gyrus

plays a part in language and number processing, memory and reasoning¹

damage to the angular gyrus has been shown to cause agraphia, alexia, Gerstmann syndrome and behavioral changes²

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precentral gyrus

a.k.a. primary motor cortex

involved in executing voluntary motor movements

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inferior frontal gyrus

(shown is triangular part)

includes Broca’s area

involved in processing speech and language

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inferior parietal lobule

(shown posteriorly)

composed of a supramarginal gyrus (rostrally) and an angular gyrus (caudally)

involved with sensorimotor integration, spatial attention and visuomotor and auditory processing¹

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middle temporal gyrus

connected with processes as different as contemplating distance, recognition of known faces, and accessing word meaning while reading¹

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occipital pole

contains the part of the primary visual cortex (Brodmann area 17) representing the macular (central) vision

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subthalamus

(right image is subthalamic nucleus)

connects to the globus pallidus, a basal nucleus of the telencephalon

receives afferent connections from the substantia nigra and striatum

regulates skeletal muscle movements

largest division of the subthalamus is the subthalamic nucleus that is involved with integration of somatic motor function^<a>1</a>

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infundibulum

a.k.a. pituitary stalk

largely outside the blood brain barrier like the rest of the pituitary

allows for hormones synthesized in the hypothalamus to be sent to the posterior pituitary for release into the bloodstream

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superior medullary velum

thin layer of tissue suspended between the superior cerebellar peduncles, forming the roof of the fourth ventricle (along with the inferior medullary velum)

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stria medullaris of thalamus

fiber bundle containing efferent fibers directly connecting frontolimbic areas to the habenula

allows the forebrain to influence midbrain monoaminergic output¹

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cingulate gyrus

forms a major part of the limbic system which has functions in emotion and behavior

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lingual gyrus

various visual functions

right lingual gyrus: perception and recognition of familiar landmarks/scenes; identification of faces; may also play a role in dreaming

bilateral lingual gyri: visual identification of facial expressions of emotions¹

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posterior commissure

transversely-oriented commissural white matter tract that connects the two cerebral hemispheres along the midline

thought to play a role in the visual system

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subcallosal gyrus

portion of the limbic system behind the cingulate cortex inhibits motor neuron activity (reciprocal function to that of cingulate cortex)

central canal

carries cerebrospinal fluid, which it receives from the ventricular system of the brain helps to transport nutrients to the spinal cord helps protect spinal cord by cushioning the impact of a force

optic chiasm

midline structure where the nasal (medial) fibers of the optic nerves decussate to continue posteriorly as the optic tracts lies in the chiasmatic cistern completely encircled by the circle of Willis

median exit foramen

*a.k.a. foramen of Magendie, median aperture* links the fourth ventricle and the cisterna magna one of the three sites that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can leave the fourth ventricle and enter the subarachnoid space

anterior commissure

transversely oriented commissural white matter tract that connects the two cerebral hemispheres along the midline connects different parts of the limbic system on both sides plays a role in the interhemispheric transfer of visual, auditory, and olfactory information between temporal lobes[¹](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16970884)

median eminance

functional link between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland[¹](https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780323297387)

interpeduncular fossa

deep groove separating the **cerebral peduncles** contents include **oculomotor nerve** and **circle of Willis**

quadrigeminal cistern

*a.k.a. superior cistern, or cistern of the great cerebral vein* one of the CSF-filled subarachnoid cisterns.

septal nuclei

consist of a subset of four nuclei involved in regulation of emotional responsiveness (e.g., rage behavior)[¹](https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780323265119)

interventricular foramen

a.k.a. foramen of Monro part of the ventricular system; connection between the **third ventricle** and the **lateral ventricle** allow for the flow of CSF between lateral ventricles and third ventricle

midbrain tegmentum

runs through the pons and medulla oblongata in the adult brain, it contains all the brainstem nuclei contains serotonin- and dopamine-producing neurons[²](https://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/know-your-brain-midbrain)

septum pellucidum

thin transparent membrane located in the brain between the body and anterior horns of the lateral ventricles forms an important link in the limbic system and serves as an important relay station[¹](http://www.ajnr.org/content/ajnr/10/5/989.full.pdf)

midbrain tectum

a.k.a. quadrigeminal plate, tectal plate constituted by the superior and inferior colliculi responsible for auditory and visual reflexes[¹](https://www.imaios.com/en/e-Anatomy/Anatomical-Parts/Tectum-of-midbrain#:~:text=The%20tectum%20of%20midbrain%20is,for%20auditory%20and%20visual%20reflexes.)

mammillary nuclei

form part of the limbic system primarily associated with recollective memory[¹](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537192/#:~:text=The%20primary%20function%20associated%20with,CA3%20neurons%20in%20the%20hippocampus.&text=Mammillary%20bodies%20project%20to%20the%20anterior%20thalamic%20nuclei%20through%20the%20mammillothalamic%20tract.)

cuneus

wedge-shaped region on the medial surface of the occipital lobe corresponds to Brodmann area 17 receives visual information from the contralateral superior retina representing the inferior visual field

lamina terminalis

forms the anterior wall of the third ventricle and anterior boundary of the hypothalamus has an essential role in the regulation of Na+ excretion as lesion of this brain region strongly reduces excretion of a Na+ load[¹](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/lamina-terminalis)

fornix

main efferent system of the hippocampus and an important part of the limbic system one of the commissural fibers connecting the cerebral hemispheres involved in memory and recall[¹](https://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/know-your-brain-fornix)

cerebral aqueduct

structure within the brainstem that connects the third and fourth ventricles filled with CSF

vagus nerve

afferent fibers bringing information of the inner organs (e.g., gut, liver, heart, and lungs) to the brain

vestibulocochlear nerve

innervation to the cochlea for hearing innervation to the vestibule for acceleration and balance senses

medial occipitotemporal gyrus

formed by parahippocampal gyrus (temporal) and lingual gyrus (occipital)

pyramid

a.k.a. pyrammidal desuccation contain the motor fibers that pass from the brain to the medulla oblongata and spinal cord where motor fibers cross to opposite side of body

gyrus rectus

may be involved in higher cognitive function (e.g. personality)[¹](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158890525X)

middle cerebellar peduncles

paired structures connecting the cerebellum to the pons purely afferent

trigeminal nerve

primary role is relaying sensory information from the face and head also provides motor control to the muscles of mastication

anterior perforated substance

area in the basal forebrain plays an important role in the blood supply of deep grey matter structures of the brain

cerebral peduncles

anterior part of the midbrain that connects the remainder of the brainstem to the thalami. paired, separated by the interpeduncular cistern contain the large white matter tracts that run to and from the cerebrum

internal capsule ## Footnote *(shown is anterior limb)*

concentration of white matter projection fibers that form the **corona radiata** high concentration of both motor and sensory projection fibers

claustrum

vertical curved sheet of subcortical grey matter hypothesized to play a central role in the generation of consciousness¹, which would explain why it has white matter projections from all areas of the cortex

putamen

paired structure and one of the nuclei that make up the basal ganglia together with the caudate nucleus, it may be referred to as the **corpus striatum** regulates movements and influence various types of learning employs dopamine to perform its functions plays a role in degenerative neurological disorders, such as Parkinson disease

parahippocampal gyrus

surrounds the hippocampus plays an important role in both spatial memory and navigation[¹](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/parahippocampal-gyrus#:~:text=The%20parahippocampal%20gyrus%20is%20a,et%20al.%2C%201996).)

globus pallidus

one of the nuclei that make up the **basal ganglia**; forms the **lentiform nucleus** with the putamen main function is to control conscious and proprioceptive movements[¹](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557755/#:~:text=Structure%20and%20Function,-The%20GP%20is&text=The%20main%20function%20of%20the,sends%20information%20to%20the%20thalamus.) the globus pallidus externus (the intrinsic nucleus) acts as a relay for information the globus pallidus internus (the output nucleus) primarily sends information to the thalamus

uncus

innermost part of parahippocampal gyrus constitutes a large part of the **primary olfactory area**[¹](https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-0-387-79948-3_372) common origin of temporal lobe seizures; seizures starting in the uncus may be preceded by olfactory or gustatory hallucinations

caudate nucleus

involved in maintaining body and limb posture involved in controlling approach-attachment behaviors[¹](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20407491)

basal nucleus

(a.k.a. basal nucleus of Meynert) formed by a group of cells that lies in the substantia innominata rich in acetylcholine its degeneration has been correlated to Alzheimer disease

insula

(a.k.a. insular cortex) serves as the **primary gustatory cortex** has important connections to language and visual-vestibular integration¹ has important autonomic function, particularly sympathetic tone from the right insula; damage to this area has been associated with cardiac arrhythmias¹

transverse temporal gyrus

*(a.k.a. Heschl's gyrus)* part of the temporal lobe contains the **primary auditory cortex** (Brodmann area 41)

vena and stria terminalis

**vena terminalis:** long vein passing forward in the groove between the thalamus and caudate nucleus **stria terminalis:** band of fibers running along the lateral margin of the ventricular surface of the thalamus; serves as a major output pathway of the amygdala

substantia niagra

one of the brainstem nuclei and part of the extrapyramidal system serves as an important relay station in the motor system

mammillothalamic tract

arises from cells in the **mammillary body** and by fibers that are directly continued from the **fornix** carries signals from the mammillary bodies via the anterior thalamus to support spatial memory^2,3

inferior cerebellar peduncles

paired structures containing important white matter fiber tracts which connect the cerebellum to the medulla mainly concerned with integrating proprioceptive sensory input with motor vestibular functions such as balance and posture maintenance

inferior colliculi

involved in auditory processing receive input from various brainstem nuclei and project to the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus, which relays auditory information to the primary auditory cortex

superior colliculi

involved in preliminary visual processing and control of eye movements

superior cerebellar peduncles

paired white matter fiber tracts that connect the cerebellum with the midbrain contains vital afferent and efferent fibers

habenula

receives input from the brain via the stria medullaris outputs to many midbrain areas involved in releasing neuromodulators, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin it has many functions, including pain processing, reproductive behavior, nutrition, sleep-wake cycles, stress responses, and learning

Brain Atlas (Functions) Flashcards

(69 cards)