Brain Regions/Functions – Hindbrain, Midbrain, and Subcortical Forebrain Structures

Question 1

Hindbrain Structures

Answer 1

Medulla Oblongata
Pons
Cerebellum

Question 2

Medulla

Answer 2

Located above the spinal cord.
Controls involuntary actions like swallowing, coughing, and sneezing.
Regulates essential functions such as respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Vulnerable to disruption from brain injury, diseases, and certain drugs like opioids.

Question 3

Pons

Answer 3

Connects the two halves of the cerebellum.
Coordinates movements on both sides of the body.
Relays messages between the cerebellum and cerebral cortex.
Plays a role in respiration and sleep regulation.

Question 4

Cerebellum

Answer 4

Coordinates voluntary movements and maintains posture and balance.
Damage can cause ataxia, impairing muscle control and coordination.
Involved in processing and storing procedural memories.
Contributes to non-motor functions like attention, language processing, and visuospatial abilities.

Question 5

Midbrain Structures

Answer 5

Reticular Formation
Substantia Nigra

Question 6

Reticular Formation

Answer 6

Network of neurons extending from the medulla to the midbrain.
Regulates muscle tone, eye movements, and pain.
Contains the reticular activating system (RAS) responsible for consciousness, arousal, and sleep-wake cycles.
Lesions can lead to coma, while stimulation can awaken a sleeping person.

Question 7

Substantia Nigra

Answer 7

Involved in reward-seeking behavior and motor control.
Degeneration of dopamine-producing cells leads to symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Question 8

Subcortical Forebrain Structures:

Answer 8

Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Basal Ganglia
Limbic System (includes amygdala, cingulate cortex, hippocampus)

Question 9

Hypothalamus

Answer 9

Maintains body homeostasis, regulating temperature, blood pressure, hunger, and sleep.
Influences sexual and reproductive behaviors.
Involved in aggression and emotional reactions.
Contains the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) regulating circadian rhythms.

Question 10

Thalamus

Answer 10

Acts as a relay station for sensory information (excluding smell) to the cortex.
Coordinates sensory and motor functions and plays a role in memory.
Damage can lead to Korsakoff syndrome, characterized by amnesia and confabulation.

Question 11

Basal Ganglia

Answer 11

Comprises the striatum (caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens) and globus pallidus.
Initiates and controls voluntary movements, procedural learning, and cognitive functions.
Associated with mood disorders, ADHD, OCD, and Parkinson’s disease.

Question 12

Limbic System

Answer 12

Includes the amygdala, cingulate cortex, and hippocampus.
Amygdala regulates emotions, fear responses, and memory formation.
Cingulate cortex influences motivation, memory, and emotional reactions to pain.
Hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory consolidation and spatial memory.

Question 13

Korsakoff Syndrome:

Answer 13

Location: Thalamus and Mammillary Bodies
Description: Neurological disorder resulting from thiamine deficiency, often due to chronic alcoholism. Characterized by severe anterograde amnesia, retrograde amnesia, and confabulation.

Question 14

Parkinson’s Disease:

Answer 14

Location: Substantia Nigra
Description: Neurodegenerative disorder caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra. Symptoms include slowed movement, tremors, rigidity, and other motor symptoms.

Question 15

Alzheimer’s Disease:

Answer 15

Location: Hippocampus and Entorhinal Cortex
Description: Progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. Degeneration of cells in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex leads to impairments in episodic memory and spatial navigation.

Question 16

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder):

Answer 16

Location: Amygdala and Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex (VPC)
Description: Anxiety disorder triggered by traumatic events. Abnormal functioning of the amygdala and VPC leads to hyperactivity in the amygdala, producing distressing memories and symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors.

Question 17

Cushing’s Syndrome:

Answer 17

Location: Hippocampus
Description: Disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels in the hippocampus impair the retrieval of declarative memories.

Question 18

Kluver-Bucy Syndrome:

Answer 18

Location: Amygdala, Hippocampus, Temporal Lobes
Description: Condition resulting from bilateral lesioning of the amygdala, hippocampus, and temporal lobes. Symptoms include hyperphagia, hyperorality, reduced fear, hypersexuality, and visual agnosia (psychic blindness).