General brain anatomy Flashcards by Bethan Williams

Four lobes of the cerebrum

Frontal
Temporal
Parietal
Occipital

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Valleys on the surface of the cerebrum

Sulci

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Ridges on the surface of the cerebrum

Gyri

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Sulcus which divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe

Central sulcus

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Gyrus sitting immediately in front of the central sulcus

Precentral gyrus

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Position of the primary motor cortex

Precentral gyrus in the frontal lobe

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Term for the distorted map of the human body showing areas of the brain dedicated to sensory and motor functions

Homunculus

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Position of the primary somatosensory cortex

Postcentral gyrus in the parietal lobe

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Lobe immediately behind the frontal lobe which covers the top of the brain

Parietal lobe

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Cortices which have a homunculus representation

Primary motor cortex

Primary somatosensory cortex

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Sulcus which divides the frontal lobe from the temporal lobe

Lateral sulcus/Sylvian fissure

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Area of the primary gustatory cortex

Insula in the Sylvian fissure

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Main gyri within the frontal lobe

Precentral gyrus
Superior frontal gyrus
Middle frontal gyrus
Inferior frontal gyrus

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Site of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Middle frontal gyrus

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Area thought to be responsible for executive functioning

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

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Considered the area of motivation

Cingulate gyrus

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Sulcus found on the medial aspect of the frontal and parietal lobes which separates them from the cingulate gyrus

Cingulate sulcus

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Site of Broca’s area

Inferior frontal gyrus of the dominant hemisphere

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Site of Wernicke’s area

Superior temporal gyrus in the dominant hemisphere

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Three regions of the inferior frontal gyrus

Opercular part
Triangular part
Orbital part

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Considered the area for associative learning, social valuation and decision making

Orbitofrontal cortex in the frontal lobe

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Area of the frontal lobe lying just anterior to the primary motor cortex

Premotor cortex

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Functions of the premotor cortex

Control of movement

Planning movement

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Site of the primary auditory cortex

Superior temporal gyrus

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Two gyri which make up the inferior parietal lobe

Supramarginal gyrus | Angular gyrus

Function of the angular gyrus

Complex language functions e.g. reading, writing, interpretation of what has been written Number processing

Function of the supramarginal gyrus

Interpretation of tactile sensory data Proprioception Empathy during social judgements

Site of the primary visual cortex

In and around the calcarine fissure in the occipital lobe

Dominant hemisphere in the majority of right handed people

Left

Percentage of left handed people who are left hemisphere dominant

64%

Percentage of left handed people who are right hemisphere dominant

20%

Percentage of left handed people who show bilateral hemispheric dominance

16%

Most asymmetrical structure in the human brain

Planum temporale

Site of the planum temporale

Superior temporal gyrus

Function of the planum temporale

Language processing - secondary language centre

Hemisphere in which the planum temporale is usually larger

Left

Function of the papez circuit

Control of emotional expression

Elements of the Papez circuit

``` Hippocampus Fornix Mamillary bodies Mammillothalamic tract Anterior thalamic nucleus Genu of the internal capsule Cingulate gyrus Parahippocampal gyrus Entorhinal cortex Perforant pathway ```

Functions of the limbic system

Emotion Behaviour Long term memory Olfaction

Structures in the limbic system

``` Papez circuit Amygdala Basal forebrain including the hypothalamus Nucleus accumbens Orbitofrontal cortex ```

Functions of the hippocampus

Declarative memory | Spatial processing and navigation

Functions of the amygdala

Regulating emotions including fear and aggression | Emotional aspects of memory formation

Alternative name for the forebrain

Prosencephalon

Alternative name for the midbrain

Mesencephalon

Alternative name for the hindbrain

Rhombencephalon

Structures within the forebrain

Cerebral cortex

Structures within the midbrain

``` Superior and inferior colliculi Tegmentum - including the red nucleus Cerebral peduncles and cerebral crus Oculomotor and trochlear nerve Raphe nuclei Substantia nigra Ventral tegmental area ```

Structures within the hindbrain

Medulla oblongata Pons Cerebellum (Collectively the brainstem)

Fibres that connect the two hemispheres of the brain

Corpus callosum

Site of language, logical thinking, and analytical reasoning

Left frontal lobe

Site of non-verbal abilities, imagination, creativity, music and art skills

Right frontal lobe

Neurons which allow the reflection/mirroring of body language, facial expressions, and emotions of others

Mirror neurons

Function of Broca's area

Co-ordination of fluent speech

Functions of the basal ganglia

Planning and programming of movement Converting abstract thoughts into voluntary action Motivation Addictive behaviours and habit formation

Structures of the basal ganglia

Corpus striatum Pallidum Subthalamic nucleus Substantia nigra

Two striatum contained in the corpus striatum

Dorsal striatum | Ventral striatum

Structures in the dorsal striatum

Caudate Putamen Internal capsule

Structures in the ventral striatum

Nucleus accumbens | Olfactory tubercle

Structures of the pallidum

Large globus pallidus | Small ventral pallidum

Name for the combination of the putamen and the globus pallidus

Lentiform nucleus

Structures of the substantia nigra

Pars compacta | Pars reticulata

Five important circuits involving the basal ganglia

Motor circuit Oculomotor circuit Dorsolateral prefrontal circuit (executive) Anterior cingulate circuit (motivation) Lateral orbitofrontal circuit (social intelligence)

Divisions of the forebrain

Diencephalon | Telencephalon

Structure of the forebrain which develops into the cerebrum

Telencephalon

Structures included in the diencephalon

Thalamus Hypothalamus Subthalamus Epithalamus

Functions of the thalamus

Relays sensory signals (except olfactory) Regulates sleep and wakefulness Relays cerebellar and basal ganglia information to the cerebral cortex

Largest nucleus of the thalamus

Pulvinar

Function of the pulvinar

Visual attention

Area of the brain where sleep spindles are generated

Thalamus

Functions of the hypothalamus

Secretes endocrine hormones to produce further hormone secretion from the pituitary Co-ordinates homeostasis Controls food intake Regulates fear responses

Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which stimulates the release of TSH from the anterior pituitary

Thyrotropin releasing hormone

Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which stimulates the release of ACTH from the anterior pituitary

Corticotropin releasing hormone

Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which inhibits the release of prolactin from the anterior pituitary

Dopamine

Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which stimulates the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary

Growth hormone releasing hormone

Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which stimulates the release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary

Gonadotropin releasing hormone

Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus which inhibits the release of growth hormone and TSH from the anterior pituitary

Somatostatin

Hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary (an extension of the hypothalamus) which causes uterine contraction and lactation

Oxytocin

Hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary (an extension of the hypothalamus) which increases water reabsorption into the circulation, and increases arterial blood pressure

Vasopressin/ADH

Satiety centre of the hypothalamus

Ventromedial hypothalamus

Feeding centre of the hypothalamus

Lateral hypothalamus

Nucleus found in the medulla oblongata which projects fibres to the contralateral cerebellar cortex and aids in motor co-ordination

Inferior olivary nucleus

Difference in lack of motor co-ordination caused by an inferior olivary lesion compared to a cerebellar lesion

Ipsilateral signs in a cerebellar lesion | Contralateral signs in an inferior olivary lesion

Narrow midline zone of the cerebellum

Vermis

Lobes of the cerebellum

Anterior lobe Posterior lobe Flocculonodular lobe

Difficulty in coordinating the receiving, processing and expressing of information which may result from disrupted connections between the cerebrum and the cerebellum seen in schizophrenia

Cognitive dysmetria

Structures in the brain stem

Midbrain Pons Medulla

Function of the superior colliculus

Ability to move the eyes together

Function of the inferior colliculus

Localises the source of auditory stimuli

Structure the CSF travels to after the lateral ventricle

Foramina of Monroe

Structure the CSF travels to after the foramina of Monroe

3rd ventricle

Structure the CSF travels to after the 3rd ventricle

Aqueduct of Sylvius

Structure the CSF travels to after the Aqueduct of Sylvius

4th ventricle

Structures the CSF travels to after the 4th ventricle

Foramen of Magendie | Foramina of Luschka

Structure the CSF travels to after the foramen of Magendie and foramina of Luschka

Subarachnoid space

Volume of CSF produced daily

300ml

Structure which separates the two lateral ventricles

Septum pellucidum

Cause of non-communicating hydrocephalus

Obstruction to CSF circulation

Common site of obstruction in a non-communicating hydrocephalus

Foramen of Monroe

Cause of communicating hydrocephalus

Impaired CSF reabsorption in the subarachnoid space

Lobe of the brain where forced utilisation behaviour can be seen

Frontal lobe

Area of damage causing forced utilisation behaviour

Frontal lobe superior to the eye

Feature of forced utilisation behaviour

When an object is placed in front of someone with frontal lobe damage they will pick it up and start using it even when asked not to

Structures included in the hippocampal formation

Hippocampus proper Dentate gyrus Subiculum

Part of the brain which is the last to mature

Prefrontal cortex

Part of the basal ganglia which contains melanin pigment

Substantia nigra

Feature seen in monkeys with impaired amygdalae

Impaired maternal behaviours

Necessity of the amygdala in learning

Not required

Percentage of the brain occupied by the prefrontal cortex

30%

Location of the calcarine sulcus

Runs from the occipital pole to the parieto-occipital sulcus

Location of the fusiform gyrus

Temporal and occipital lobes Beneath the parahippicampal gyrus Above the inferior temporal gyrus

Functions of the fusiform gyrus

Colour recognition Face and body recognition Word recognition

Location of the cuneus

Occipital lobe Behind the parieto-occipital sulcus Superior to the calcarine sulcus

Function of the cuneus

The contralateral inferior visual field

Location of the lingual gyrus

Occipital lobe Inferior to the calcarine sulcus Behind the parahippocampal gyrus which it joins

Location of the cingulate gyrus

Medial aspect of the cerebral cortex | Above the corpus callosum

Function of the red nucleus

Execution of learned behaviour | Coordination of movement

Brodmann areas comprising the postcentral gyrus

1, 2, 3

Brodmann area comprising the precentral gyrus

Brodmann area comprising the primary visual cortex

Brodmann area comprising the primary auditory cortex

Brodmann areas comprising Wernicke's area

22, 39, 40

Hemisphere associated with pictoral memory

Non-dominant

Peak age for synaptogenesis

First two years of life

Structure where mirror neurons are found

Inferior frontal cortex

Area of the brain the ventral tegmental area is located

Midbrain

Location of the lateral geniculate nucleus

Thalamus

Function of the lateral geniculate nucleus

Visual pathway

Brodmann areas comprising Broca's area

44, 45

Functions of the caudate nucleus

Spatial processing | Speed and accuracy of movements

Function of the globus pallidus

Works in conjunction with the cerebellum to produce smooth movements - inhibits actions which balances the excitatory cerebellum

Functions of the putamen

Motor movements | Implicit learning

Function of the nucleus accumbens

Part of the reward system

Function of the pars reticulata in the substantia nigra

Processes signals from the basal ganglia to be sent elsewhere

Function of the pars compacta in the substantia nigra

Motor control

Functions of the cerebellar peduncles

Refine motor movements Learn new motor movements Turn proprioceptive information into posture and balance

Structures which make up the rhombencephalon

Metencephalon | Myelencephalon

Structures included in the metencephalon

Pons | Cerebellum

Structures included in the myelencephalon

Medulla oblongata

Number of Brodmann's areas

Location of the pineal gland

Between the two hemispheres behind the third ventricle

Three cranial fossae

Anterior Middle Posterior

Structures included in the anterior cranial fossa

Frontal lobes Frontal and ethmoid bones - including the cribriform plate Lesser wing of the sphenoid

Structures included in the middle cranial fossa

Temporal lobes Greater wing of sphenoid Sella turcica Majority of temporal bones

Structures included in the posterior fossa

Occipital lobes Cerebellum Medulla Occipital bone

Structure which passes through the foramen spinosum

Middle meningeal artery

Fossa the foramen spinosum is located in

Middle fossa

Structure which passes through the foramen ovale

Mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve

Fossa the foramen ovale is located in

Middle fossa

Structures which pass through the foramen lacerum

Small meningeal branches of the ascending pharyngeal artery | Emissary veins from the cavernous sinus

Fossa the foramen lacerum is located in

Middle fossa

Structure which passes through the foramen magnum

Spinal cord

Fossa the foramen magnum is located in

Posterior fossa

Structures which pass through the jugular foramen

CN IX, X, and XI

Fossa the jugular foramen is located in

Posterior fossa

Folding of the dura mater which separates the two cerebral hemispheres

Falx cerebri

Folding of the dura mater which separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum

Tentorium cerebelli

Folding of the dura mater which separates the cerebellar hemispheres

Falx cerebelli

Folding of the dura mater which covers the pituitary gland

Sellar diaphragm

Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is regulation of the circadian rhythm

Suprachiasmatic

Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to secrete GnRH to stimulate LH and FSH secretion from the pituitary, as well as thermoregulation

Preoptic

Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to produce oxytocin and ADH

Supraoptic

Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to regulate the secretion of oxytocin and ADH, and secrete CRH and TRH

Paraventricular

Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to regulate other systems in order to keep cool

Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to regulate other systems in order to keep warm

Posterior

Nucleus in the hypothalamus whose main function is to secrete dopamine and GnRH

Arcuate

Basal ganglia structure which is part of the forebrain

Nucleus accumbens

Sex in which the asymmetry of the planum temporale is more pronounced

Male

Conditions in which the asymmetry of the planum temporale is less pronounced

Schizophrenia Stuttering Dyslexia

Sulcus which is adjacent to both Broca's area and Wernicke's area

Sylvian (lateral) sulcus

Areas where the blood brain barrier is fenestrated

``` Posterior pituitary Pineal body Area postrema Subfornical organ Vascular organ of lamina terminalis Median eminence ```

Type of junction which joins endothelial cells to make the blood brain barrier

Tight junctions

Solubility of molecules that pass through the blood brain barrier easily

Lipid soluble

Solubility of molecules that do not easily pass through the blood brain barrier

Water soluble

Effect of inflammation on the permeability of the blood brain barrier

Increases

Administration mechanism of drugs which can theoretically cross the blood brain barrier

Nasal

Foramen which is found at the join of the frontal bone with the ethmoid bone

Foramen cecum

Structure the blood brain barrier separates from blood

CSF

Name for the fine, pleat-like gyri on the surface of the cerebellum

Folia

Name of the cerebellar white matter

Arbor vitae

Combined name for areas where the blood brain barrier is fenestrated

Circumventricular organs

Structures the septum pellucidum separates

Lateral ventricles

Loop between the cortex and the basal ganglia

Cortex projects to the striatum Striatum projects to the internal segment of globus pallidus Internal segment of globus pallidus projects to thalamus Thalamus projects to the cortex

Functions of the lingual gyrus

Dreaming | Visual word recognition

Function of the superior frontal gyrus

Laughter | Self-awareness

Location of the parahippocampal gyrus

Surrounds the hippocampus

Function of the parahippocampal gyrus

Memory

Location of the nucleus of Meynert

Substantia innominata | Basal forebrain inferior to the globus pallidus

Area of the brain responsible for moral judgement

Ventromedial prefrontal cortex

Function of the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus

Relay visual signals

Function of the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus

Relay auditory signals

Function of the medial part of the ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus

Relay facial sensation

Function of the lateral part of the ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus

Relay bodily sensation

Function of the ventral anterior and lateral nuclei of the thalamus

Relay motor signals

Two embryonic parts of the brain that make up the prosencephalon

Telencephalon | Diencephalon

Embryonic parts of the brain which make up the rhombencephalon

Metencephalon | Myelencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the cerebral hemispheres arise from

Telencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the corpus callosum arises from

Telencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the lateral ventricles arise from

Telencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the basal ganglia arises from

Telencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the thalamus arises from

Diencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the hypothalamus arises from

Diencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the subthalamus arises from

Diencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the epithalamus arises from

Diencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the optic nerves arise from

Diencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the third ventricle arises from

Diencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the midbrain arises from

Mesencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the cerebral aqueduct arises from

Mesencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the pons arises from

Metencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the cerebellum arises from

Metencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the superior part of the fourth ventricle arises from

Metencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the inferior part of the fourth ventricle arises from

Myelencephalon

Embryonic part of the brain the medulla oblongata arises from

Myelencephalon

Three layers of the meninges

Dura mater Arachnoid mater Pia mater

Outermost layer of the meninges

Dura mater

Middle layer of the meninges

Arachnoid mater

Inner layer of the meninges

Pia mater

Embryonic part of the brain the retina develops from

Diencephalon

Part of the cerebellum whose purpose is balance and spatial coordination

Vestibulocerebellum

Part of the cerebellum whose function is fine tuned movements

Spinocerebellum

Part of the cerebellum whose function is planning and assessment of movement

Cerebrocerebellum

Function of the fornix

Major output tract of the hippocampus

Functions of the ventral tegmental area

Reward system, motivation, addiction | Orgasm

Structures included in the pons

``` Nuclei of cranial nerves V to VIII Lateral lemniscus - main auditory tract of the brainstem Locus coeruleus Reticular formation Medial longitudinal fasciculus Trapezoid body ```

Function of the trapezoid body in the pons

Part of the auditory pathway where some axons decussate

Function of the locus coeruleus

Site of synthesis of noradrenaline

Meaning of the name locus coeruleus

Blue spot

Function of the raphe nuclei found in various parts of the brainstem

CNS site of synthesis of serotonin | Feedback to the suprachiasmatic nucleus to control the circadian rhythm

Structures included in the medulla oblongata

Cranial nerves IX to XII Pyramidal tracts Inferior olivary nucleus Fasciculus gracilis and cuneatus

Function of the pyramidal tracts

Conduct impulses from the brain to the cranial nerves or spinal cord to control motor movement

Function of the cuneate and gracile nuclei

Make up the dorsal column nuclei and carry fine touch and proprioceptive information from the body to the brain

Lobe the hippocampus is found in

Medial temporal lobe

Lobe responsible for the interpretation of sensory stimuli

Parietal

Target for deep brain stimulation treatment of depression due to its role in anticipating and experiencing pleasure

Nucleus accumbens

Bone which the sella turcica is found in

Sphenoid bone

Structure found in the sella turcica

Pituitary gland

Structure of the brain which controls breathing and heartbeat

Medulla

Area of the brain which produces visual imagery

Medial occipital cortex

Area of the brain which processes the meanings of the actions of others

Superior temporal sulcus

Area of the brain which is involved in working memory

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Area of the brain which is activated in states of response conflict e.g. the stroop test

Anterior cingulate

Term for right-left asymmetries in the frontal and parieto-occipital regions of the brain

Cerebral torque

Structure which can pass through the blood brain barrier via the L-type amino acid transporter

L-DOPA

State of molecules which can pass through the blood brain barrier

Gas

Size of molecules which can pass through the blood brain barrier

Small

Percentage of the cerebrum comprised of the frontal lobe

37-41%

Percentage of the cerebrum comprised of the temporal lobe

22-24%

Percentage of the cerebrum comprised of the parietal lobe

19-20%

Percentage of the cerebrum comprised of the occipital lobe

18-19%

Lateralisation of the transverse temporal gyrus (Heschl gyrus) in a healthy right handed person

Larger on the left

Sex where asymmetry of the planum temporale is more pronounced

Male

Part of the brain which mediates engagement and disengagement of attention

Medial parietal cortex

General brain anatomy Flashcards

(251 cards)