Intercranial Anatomy Flashcards
(28 cards)
What are the two main parts of the skull?
Cranium and facial skeleton
The cranium has eight bones and the facial skeleton has fourteen bones.
List the bones of the cranium.
- Frontal
- Sphenoid
- Temporal
- Parietal
- Occipital
- Ethmoid
List the bones of the facial skeleton.
- Frontal
- Sphenoid
- Lacrimal
- Ethmoid
- Maxilla
- Zygomatic
What is the function of the optic chiasm?
Optic nerves cross so nerve impulses from the left side of both eyes go to the right side of the brain and vice versa.
What does the lacrimal apparatus do?
Produces and drains lacrimal fluid (tears) to clean and lubricate the eyes.
What are the components of the auditory system?
- External ear
- Middle ear
- Internal ear
What is the role of the brainstem?
Regulates autonomic functions, connects cerebrum and cerebellum, and contains reflex centers.
What are the three main components of the brainstem?
- Midbrain
- Pons
- Medulla Oblongata
What are the functions of the cerebellum?
- Motor movement
- Balance (equilibrium)
- Coordination
- Emotional responses
What is the largest part of the brain?
Cerebrum
What separates the two hemispheres of the cerebrum?
Longitudinal fissure or sagittal sulcus.
List the lobes of the brain.
- Frontal Lobe
- Parietal Lobe
- Occipital Lobe
- Temporal Lobe
What is the primary function associated with the left hemisphere of the cerebrum?
Language and systems of maths or logic.
What role does the hippocampus play in the brain?
Consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation.
What is the corpus callosum?
A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres.
What is grey matter composed of?
- Neurons
- Glial cells
Where is grey matter found in the brain?
Forms the cerebral cortex, outer cerebellum, and central area of the spinal cord.
What is white matter primarily composed of?
Myelinated nerve fibers.
What are the three important collections of grey matter in the cerebrum/diencephalon?
- Basal ganglia
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
What is the function of the basal ganglia?
Responsible for motor control and suppressing unwanted patterns of movement.
What does the thalamus do?
Relays sensory impulses to the cerebral cortex and regulates sleep.
What functions does the hypothalamus regulate?
- Body temperature
- Hunger
- Thirst
- Defence reactions
What is the structure of the pituitary gland?
Pea-sized structure that hangs off the hypothalamus.
What is acromegaly?
A rare disorder caused by excess growth hormone from the pituitary gland.
