Functional Anatomy of the Brain Flashcards
1
Q
What are the regions of the brain?
A
- Brain stem
- Cerebellum
- Forebrain: diencephalon and cerebrum
2
Q
What function does the brain stem have?
A
- It acts as a relay centre between spinal cord and higher brain
- Reticular formation - sensory input, wakefullness, consciousness
- Reflexes involved with balance and posture
- Medulla oblongata - vital reflex centre (breathing, circulation, digestion)
- Midbrain - susbtantia nigra
3
Q
What function does the Cerebellum have?
A
- Attached to brain stem
- Execution of coordinated voluntary movement (fine control) - planning and initiation of movement
- Procedural memory
- Recieves sensory information from the body
4
Q
What function does the Diencephalon have?
A
- The thalamus - relay centre directs signals
- Hypothalamus - homeostatic control centre, regulates autonomic nervous system and endocrine system
5
Q
Describe the Limbic system.
A
- Interconnecting group of structures in the forebrain
- Basic emotions - fear, anxiety, anger, pleasure, satisfaction
- Neural centres controlling basic behaviour - laughing, crying, survival, punishment
- Olfaction - smell
- Memory - hippocampus
6
Q
What makes up the cerebrum?
A
The cerebral cortex and the basal nuclei
7
Q
Describe the basal nuclei.
A
- Collection of neuronal cell bodies
- Involved in control of movement (extrapyramidal motor system)
8
Q
Describe the cerebral cortex.
A
- Two hemispheres
- Concerned with higher functions - sensory analysis, perception, motor initiation, coordination, unconscious thought, language and intellect
9
Q
What lobes make up the cerebral cortex?
A
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Temporal lobe
Occipital lobe
10
Q
Describe the somatosensory cortex.
A
- Analysis inputs from mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors and nociceptors
- Loacted in parietal lobe
- The area of the cortex devoted to each area is proportional to the amount of information recieved frm that area
- Plasticity in the neurons within - size of area can change if one area recieves more stimulation
11
Q
Describe the motor cortex.
A
- Responsible for voluntary movement
- Located in frontal lobe
12
Q
What areas of the brain are involved with language?
A
- Broca’s area - involved in the articulation of speech (controls the muscles - via motor cortex, for speaking)
- Wernicke’s area - involves comprehension and planning/coherence of language
