Brain & Cranial Nerves Flashcards
– consists of its major regions which are the brainstem, the cerebellum,
the diencephalon, and the cerebrum.
Brain
– connects the spinal cord to the remainder of brain
Brainstem
Thalamus
Epithalamus
Hypothalamus
Diencephalon
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla oblongata
Brainstem
Location:
inferior portion; continuous with spinal cord
Features:
Pyramids – two enlargement at uppermost part (anterior); involved in
conscious control of skeletal muscle
Functions:
regulates heart rate, blood vessel diameter, breathing, swallowing, vomiting, hiccupping, coughing,
sneezing, balance
Medulla oblongata
Location:
superior to medulla oblongata
Features:
Arched Footbridge – anterior surface;
aids in assisting functions of medulla
oblongata
Functions:
serves as functional footbridge between cerebrum & cerebellum, breathing,
swallowing, balance, chewing, salivation
Pons
Location:
smallest region;
superior to the pons
Features:
Superior Colliculi – 2 mounds;
involved in visual reflexes & receive
touch & auditory input Inferior
Colliculi – major relay centers for
auditory nerve pathways in CNS
Substantia Nigra – black nuclear mass
that is involved in regulating general
body movements
Functions:
coordinated eye movements, controlling pupil diameter, lens shape
Midbrain
a group of nuclei scattered throughout the brainstem
Function: regulates cyclical motor function (respiration, walking, chewing)
This is a major component of the Reticular Activating System, which plays an important role in arousing and maintaining consciousness, and in
regulating sleep-wake cycle
Reticular formation
Attached to brainstem by several large connections called cerebellar
peduncles; known as “little brain”
Cerebellum
Structure: Cortex is composed of gray matter, gyri, and sulci; internally
contains gray nuclei & white nerve tracts
Cerebellum
Functions: Maintaining balance & muscle tone, coordination of fine motor
movements, learning motor skills
cerebellum
CEREBELLUM
___ – a major function which serves as a sensing device that compares the data from two sources – motor cortex & peripheral structures
Comparator
– innervated in joints, tendons, and muscles that provide information
about the position of the body; send action potentials to cerebellum
Proprioceptive Neurons
located at the surface of cerebrum that is composed of gray matter
Functions: controls thinking, communicating, remembering,
understanding, & initiates involuntary movements
Cerebral Cortex
Prominent features of cerebral cortex
– folds on cerebral cortex that greatly increase the surface area
Gyri
Prominent features of cerebral cortex
– intervening grooves; shallow indentations
Sulci
separates the frontal and parietal lobes
o Central Sulcus
separates most of the temporal lobe from the rest of cerebrum
Lateral Fissure
largest part consists of cluster of nuclei shaped like a yo-yo
Thalamus
THALAMUS
centrally connect the two large, lateral parts influences moods & detects pain
(unlocalized)
Interthalamic Adhesion
influences moods & detects pain
(unlocalized)
Thalamus
small area superior & posterior to thalamus consists of few small nuclei
Epithalamus
Epithalamus
an endocrine gland that influences the onset of puberty & controlling some long-term cycles that are influenced by
the light-dark cycle
Pineal Gland
emotional & visceral response to odors
Epithalamus
