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Anatomy > Chapter 13- The Brain 🧠⚡️💡 > Flashcards

Chapter 13- The Brain 🧠⚡️💡 Flashcards

1
Q

How many neurons are estimated to be in the human brain?

A

Approximately 100 billion neurons.

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2
Q

What are the four major areas of the human brain?

A
  • Brainstem
  • Cerebellum
  • Diencephalon
  • Cerebrum
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3
Q

What are the components of the brainstem?

A
  • Medulla Oblongata
  • Pons
  • Midbrain
  • Reticular Formation
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4
Q

Which part of the brain is known as the ‘thinking brain’?

A

Cerebrum

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5
Q

What is the function of the brainstem?

A

Connects spinal cord to rest of brain and is essential for survival.

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6
Q

What are some reflexes controlled by the brainstem?

A
  • Breathing
  • Swallowing
  • Coughing
  • Vomiting
  • Heart rate
  • Sneezing
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7
Q

Where is the Medulla Oblongata located?

A

Most inferior part of the brainstem.

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8
Q

What are the functions of the Medulla Oblongata?

A

Mostly involved with respiration. Regulating breathing with the pons.
Swallowing, coughing, vomiting, heart rate, and sneezing

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9
Q

What is the role of the Pons in the brain?

A

Sleep center.
Regulates respiration and acts as a relay center between cerebrum and cerebellum.

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10
Q

What structures are contained within the Midbrain?

A

Corpora quadrigemina, which includes superior and inferior colliculi.
Red nuclei and substantia nigra

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11
Q

True or False: Most motor neurons in the brainstem decussate.

A

True

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12
Q

Fill in the blank: The brainstem is essential for survival because it controls many _______.

A

reflexes

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13
Q

What is the function of the superior colliculi?

A

Visual reflexes (turn head in response to stimuli)

Involved in visual processing and reflexive movements related to vision.

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14
Q

What role do the inferior colliculi play?

A

Involved in hearing pathway

They are critical for auditory processing.

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15
Q

What is the function of the red nuclei?

A

Unconscious regulation of motor activities

They play a role in motor coordination.

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16
Q

What is the function of the substantia nigra?

A

Maintaining muscle tone & coordinating movement

It is important for smooth and controlled movements.

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17
Q

What does the reticular formation control?

A

Cyclic activities in the brainstem. Awareness, posture, pain, sleep wake cycle.

It integrates sensory information from various sources.

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18
Q

What is the role of the reticular activating system (RAS)?

A

Involved in waking and maintaining consciousness

It filters stimuli during sleep and activates in response to loud stimuli and light.

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19
Q

What can affect the RAS?

A

Smells, lights, sounds.

Certain drugs can stimulate or depress the RAS
These drugs can impact alertness and sleep patterns.

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20
Q

What is the cerebellum commonly referred to as?

A

‘Little brain’

It plays a significant role in motor control.

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21
Q

What are the three large nerve tracts connecting the cerebellum?

A

Superior, middle, and inferior peduncles

These connect the cerebellum to the midbrain, pons, and medulla.

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22
Q

What is the composition of the cerebellum’s cortex and inner structure?

A

Cortex is gray matter; inside is white matter (arbor vitae)

This structure is crucial for processing and coordinating movement.

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23
Q

List four functions controlled by the cerebellum.

A
  • Balance
  • Posture
  • Fine motor coordination
  • Eye movements
  • Locomotion

Functions are distributed across hemispheres.

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24
Q

What area is located between the brainstem and cerebrum?

A

Diencephalon

It contains several key structures for sensory and hormonal regulation.

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25
What are the components of the diencephalon?
* Thalamus * Epithalamus * Hypothalamus * Subthalamus * Pineal gland Each part has distinct functions related to sensory and regulatory processes.
26
How are the two hemispheres of the thalamus connected?
By the intermediate mass This structure is surrounded by the third ventricle.
27
What is the primary sensory relay center in the brain?
Thalamus Most sensory input synapses onto thalamic neurons which send axons to the cerebral cortex.
28
What role does the thalamus play in relation to mood?
Influences mood & actions associated with strong emotion Some thalamic nuclei are connected to the limbic system and pre-frontal cortex.
29
Where is the subthalamus located?
Just below the thalamus It contains ascending and descending tracts and the subthalamic nucleus.
30
What is the function of the subthalamic nucleus?
Involved in controlling motor functions It works in conjunction with the basal nuclei of the cerebrum.
31
What structures are found in the epithalamus?
Habenular nuclei, pineal gland, and melatonin The habenular nuclei are involved in smells and emotional responses.
32
What is the role of the pineal gland?
Possibly involved in sleep/wake cycle and releases melatonin It may also play a role in the onset of puberty.
33
What is 'brain sand'?
~75% of us have this in the epithalamus ## Footnote It refers to calcified structures found in the pineal gland.
34
Where is the hypothalamus located?
Below the thalamus It plays a significant role in various bodily functions.
35
What is the hypothalamus's connection to the pituitary gland?
Attached by the infundibulum It plays a large endocrine role in the body.
36
What are the functions of the hypothalamus?
* Temperature regulation * Olfactory reflexes * Controls pituitary gland hormones * Regulates food and water intake * Muscle control * Autonomic nervous system control * Tied to mood and emotion * Regulates sleep/wake cycle These functions highlight its importance in homeostasis.
37
What sensory inputs does the hypothalamus receive?
* Visceral organs * Taste buds * Limbic system * External genitalia * Prefrontal cortex ## Footnote These inputs contribute to its role in mood and emotional responses.
38
True or False: The mammillary bodies are involved in emotional responses to odors.
True Found in the hypothalamus— They are similar in function to the habenular nucleus of the epithalamus.
39
What does the hypothalamus house
The thirst (leptin) and hunger center (grehlin)
40
What is the largest portion of the human brain?
Cerebrum ## Footnote The cerebrum is divided into right and left hemispheres.
41
What fissure divides the right and left hemispheres of the cerebrum?
Longitudinal fissure ## Footnote This fissure separates the two hemispheres of the cerebrum.
42
What are gyri and sulci?
Gyri are the ridges; sulci are the grooves ## Footnote These structures increase the surface area of the brain.
43
What is the gray matter on the outside of the cerebrum called?
Cortex ## Footnote The inner white matter is referred to as medulla.
44
What divides the primary motor and primary sensory cortex?
Central Sulcus ## Footnote This structure separates the precentral gyrus from the postcentral gyrus.
45
What is the primary motor area of the brain?
Precentral gyrus ## Footnote This area is responsible for voluntary motor functions.
46
What is the primary sensory area of the brain?
Postcentral gyrus ## Footnote This area processes sensory information from the body.
47
What are the functions of the frontal lobe?
Voluntary motor function, motivation, aggression, mood, smell ## Footnote The frontal lobe plays a key role in higher cognitive functions.
48
What is the main function of the occipital lobe?
Vision ## Footnote This lobe is primarily responsible for processing visual information.
49
What functions are associated with the temporal lobe?
Smell, hearing, abstract thought & judgment, memory ## Footnote The temporal lobe is involved in processing auditory information and memory.
50
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
Receives sensory information other than smell, hearing & vision ## Footnote This lobe integrates sensory information from different modalities.
51
What is Broca's Area responsible for?
Motor function of speech in the frontal lobe ## Footnote This area is crucial for speech production.
52
What is Wernicke's Area responsible for?
Understanding and formulating coherent speech in the parietal lobe ## Footnote This area is essential for language comprehension.
53
What are the three types of white matter fibers in the cerebrum?
* Association Fibers - connects within the same hemisphere * Commissural Fibers - connect one hemisphere to the other * Projection Fibers - tracts btwn the cerebrum and the other parts of the brain and spinal cord ## Footnote These fibers connect different parts of the brain and spinal cord.
54
Where are the Basal Nuclei located?
In the base of the cerebrum, diencephalon, and midbrain These nuclei are involved in coordinating motor functions and unintentional movement.
55
What is the amygdaloid nucleus associated with?
Fear response This nucleus plays a significant role in emotional processing.
56
What are the components of the corpus striatum?
* Caudate nucleus * Lentiform nucleus The corpus striatum is the lower portion of the cerebrum, and part of the basal nuclei and is the largest structure in the brain.
57
What functions does the Limbic System serve?
Memory, reproduction, nutrition, emotions The Limbic System forms a ring in the center of the brain.
58
What is considered a 'primitive' part of the brain?
The limbic system: Includes: Amygdaloid nucleus, hippocampus, olfactory cortex, portions of hypothalamus, mamillary bodies, fornix, cingulate gyrus.
59
What role does the amygdaloid nucleus play?
Fear
60
What functions are associated with the portions of the hypothalamus?
Mood, emotion
61
What is the cingulate gyrus known as?
'Satisfaction center' for feeding and sex
62
What can lesions in the limbic system cause?
* Increased appetite * Increased and perverse sexual activity * Loss of fear or anger
63
How does the limbic system influence visceral responses?
Changes in blood pressure and respiration
64
What are the three layers of the meninges?
* Dura Mater * Arachnoid Mater - vascular * Pia Mater
65
What is the Falx Cerebri?
A fold of meninges down into the longitudinal fissure
66
What is the Tentorium Cerebelli?
A fold of meninges between cerebrum and cerebellum
67
What does the dural sinus contain?
Venous blood from the brain and where CSF is drained to
68
What is found in the subarachnoid space?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
69
What can damage to the dural sinus cause?
Bleeding into the subdural space, leading to subdural hematoma
70
What is a potential consequence of a subdural hematoma?
Pressure on the brain
71
How many lateral ventricles are there, and what percentage of CSF is formed there?
Two lateral ventricles, 80-90% of CSF formed (under the corpus callosum)
72
Where is the 3rd ventricle located?
Near the thalamus
73
Where is the 4th ventricle located?
Near the cerebellum
74
Flow of CSF.
Lateral ventricle interventricular foramen Third ventricle Through cerebral aqueduct 4th ventricle Exits through median and lateral apertures Circulated brain and spinal cord in subarachnoid Exits through arachnoid granulations which project into the Sagittarius sinus
75
What can a skull fracture lead to regarding CSF?
Leakage of CSF, which can result in meningitis if bacteria enters meninges
76
What is the primary function of the internal carotids?
To take fresh blood to the brain ## Footnote They branch into an elaborate network to supply the brain, known as the Circle of Willis.
77
Where are the arteries to the brain located?
In the subarachnoid space ## Footnote Smaller branches enter the pia mater and branch extensively into capillaries.
78
What forms the blood-brain barrier?
Tight junctions of endothelial cells and processes from neuroglial astrocytes These structures completely surround the endothelial cells of capillaries.
79
Which substances can diffuse through the blood-brain barrier?
Lipid soluble substances, like nicotine and alcohol
80
What are the three functions of cranial nerves?
* Sensory (special and general senses) * Somatic motor (control of skeletal muscle) * Parasympathetic (regulation of glands, smooth muscle or cardiac muscle)
81
What is the brianstem mostly composed of
White matter
82
What is contained in the medulla, ponsC and midbrain
Ascending and descending tracts
83
How does the medulla oblongsts force you to breath
Had chemireceptors which detect acidic environment and makes you inhale
84
What occurs to motor neurons in the medulla oblongata
Decussate (crosses over), thus half of the brain controls the opposite half of the body
85
Important areas of the pons
Sleep center Respiratory center coordinates with medulla
86
Superior colliculi
Involved in visual reflexes, receieve info from inferior, eyes, skin, cerebrum
87
Inferior colliculi is involved in
Hearing
88
Inner white matter of cerebellum
Arbor vitae
89
What can the cerebellum do with movements
Can learn muscle patterns with help from frontal lobe
90
Competitive function
Function of the cerebellum- Received feedback from proprioreceptors which relay spatial info to cerebellum. Compares action movements with intended movements and making corrections if necessary.
91
Cerebellar disorder
Poor balance Poor posture Poor hand eye coordination Poor locomotion Missing objects when reaching Intention tremors Alcohol affects cerebellum
92
How does the hypothalamus receive information
Through sensory neurons from visceral organs, taste buds, limbic system, external genitalia, and prefrontal cortex (mood)
93
What is the hypothalamus important in the regulation of
Mood, emotion, sexual pleasure, saturation, rage, fear
94
Hypothalamus dysfunctions
Endocrine disorders Inability to regulate temperature Increased thirst Appetite changes Difficulty sleeping Mood swings Lack of sex drive
95
Amygdaloid nucleus
Associated with the fear response
96
Dysfunctions of the basal nuclei
Difficulty initiating complex maneuvers Jerky movements Rigid muscles Resting tremors Parkinson’s
97
What is the function of the hippocampus
Retrieval of memories
98
What connections are used in association with the fourth ventricle
Connected to third ventricle by cerebral aqueduct. Connected to the subarachnoid space by the lateral and medial apertures

Anatomy (16 decks)

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