Central nervous system Flashcards
Where is the brain
within the skull
Where is the spinal cord
within the vertebral column
What is the meninges
protective membranes that cover the organs of the central nervous system
What is cerebrospinal fluid
between the two inner meninges, has two functions
-cushions brain and spinal cord against shock
-removes waste materials from the brain
What is the spinal cord
extends downward from the medulla. through the spinal cord, sensory and motor information passes between the brain and the other parts of the body. all sensory and motor nerves located below the neck must pass through the spinal cord on the way to the brain
What is the cerebellum
controls muscle coordination and balance
What is the medulla oblangata
controls subconscious activities, such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, swallowing, and vomiting
What is the pons
relays information between the cerebellum and cerebral cortex
What is the midbrain
relays visual (sight) and auditory (hearing) information between areas of the hindbrain and forebrain
What is the thalamus
sensory relay center, recieves sensations of touch, pain, heat, cold, etc. as well as muscle information and relays it to the cerebrum. prevents sensory overload by sending only those stimuli that are most important. it prevents being constantly stimulated by common objects, like clothing
What is the hypothalamus
regulates the pituitary gland (release of hormones), heart rate, blood pressure, water balance and temperature: controls drives such as hunger, thirst, aggression and sexual desire. plays role in autonomic responses
What are the parts (lobes) of the cerebrum
Frontal, occipital, temporal, and parietal lobes
What is the frontal lobe
Associated with conscious though, intelligence, reasoning, creativity, memory, and personality: control voluntary skeletal muscle movements. has brocas area that controls muscles involved in speech
What is the temporal lobes
Involved in hearing, speech, smell
What is the parietal lobes
Receive sensory information from the skin and muscles and taste
What is the occipital lobes
Process visual information (sight)
What is the corpus callosum
Connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres through nerve tracts
