Brainstem functions & Autonomic System Flashcards
(45 cards)
The function of the Medulla Oblongata is…
- responsible for several functions of the autonomous nervous system which include:
- respiratory via cheoreceptors of the carotid and aortic bodies
- vasomotor via baroreceptors
- heart rate (cardiovascular center) - sympathetic NS & PSNS
Nerves that originate in the medulla oblongata are:
- CN IX - glossopharyngeal
- CN X - vagus
- CN XI - accessory
- CN XII - hypoglossal
Spinal tracts that cross at the medulla oblongata are:
- Dorsal columns
- Lateral corticospinal tract
The function of the Pons is:
- Secondary respiratory center
- apneutic and pneumotaxic centers
- Damage: will not have smooth transition from inspiration to expiration
Nerves that originate in the Pons are:
- CN 5
- CN 6
- CN 7
- Cn 8
Elevated regions of the brain are called
Gyri
Fissures in the brain are called
sulci
The Cerebrum consists of
- Cerebral cortex (exterior layer of gray matter), white matter and basal ganglia (islands of gray matter in interior)
The Cerebral cortex (exterior layer of the cerebrum) is sometimes called ________ and is composed of
- the “executive suite”, the conscious mind
- composed of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, and associated glia and blood vessels
The cerebral cortex has the following three types of functional areas:
- Motor areas
- Sensory areas
- Association areas
All neurons in the cerebral cortex are
inteneurons
Each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is concerned with the sensory and motor functions of
- the contralateral (opposite) side of the body
- Damage to one hemisphere will affect the functions of the opposite side of the body
The primary motor cortex is located _______; it’s function is _________.
- In the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex on the precentral gyrus between the central sulcus and premotor cortex
- control of precise or skilled voluntary movement
- illustrated by the motor homunculus
Is the primary motor cortex ipsilateral or contralatera?
- Contralateral
- DAMAGE will result in loss of voluntary control of muscles on the opposite side of the body
Body regions of fine motor control as illustrated by the motor homunculus are:
- Lips, face, eye, thumb and fingers
Body regions of course motor control as illustrated by the motor homunculus are:
- Wrist, elbow, knees, toes, arm
The Premotor cortex is located ___________ and its function is _________
- anterior to the precentral gyrus in the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex
- help plan movements
Broca’s Area is located ____________ and its function is ____________
- Anterior to the inferior region of the premotor cortex within the frontal lobe
- As a motor speech area which directs the muscles involved in speech production
What is Broca’s aphasia
- A type of aphasia where comprehension is usually preserved, but language production is not fluent. Aka expressive aphasia
- The language deficit ranges from muteness to slowed, simple speech using key words.
- They often express nouns as only singular and eliminate adjectives or adverbs (eg. “the large gray cat” becomes “gray cat”)
The Prefrontal cortex is located __________; its function is ___________
- At the anterior portion of the frontal lobe
- Function is integration of visual, auditory, and sensory info and plans the proper motor response
The Parietal lobe somatic sensory cortex (aka. Postcentral gyrus) is located ___________; its function is __________
- Postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe
- To receive information from the somatic sensory receptors of the skin and from proprioreceptors in skeletal muscles, joints and tendons and identify the body region being stimulated (spatial discrimination)
- represented by the sensory homunculus
Regions of high sensitivity (many receptors) as represented by the sensory homunculus are:
- Large: fingers, hands, cheek
Regions of low sensitivity (few receptors) as represented by the sensory homunculus are:
- Small: elbows, knees, back
The location of the somatosensory association cortex is __________; its function is ___________.
- Just posterior to the primary somatosensory cortex within the parietal lobe
- Integrate of sensory inputs (temperature, pressure etc) relayed by the primary somatosensory cortex to produce understanding of an object
- DAMAGE results in inability to recognise objects by touch
