Intro To Nervous System Flashcards
1
Q
The CNS is made up of these 3 (or 4) parts:
A
Brain (Cerebrum and Cerebellum)
Brainstem
Spinal cord
2
Q
Gray matter is made up of:
A
Multiple neuron cell bodies
3
Q
White matter is made up of:
A
Group of neuronal processes (fibers)
Axon or dendrites
4
Q
What is a nucleus?
A
Group of similar neuron cell bodies (gray matter)
5
Q
What is laminate?
A
“Layer” or “band” of gray matter
6
Q
What are bodies?
A
Collection of neuron cell bodies (gray matter)
7
Q
What is the cortex?
A
Gray matter found on outer surface of brain and cerebellum
8
Q
What is a tract or fasciculus?
A
Group of fibers/axons (white matter)
9
Q
What is lemniscus?
A
“Ribbon” or “band” of axons (white matter)
10
Q
What is funiculus?
A
“Column” or “cord” of axons (white matter)
11
Q
List the names of white matter from smallest fibers to largest group of fibers:
A
- tract or fasciculus (bundle of axons)
- lemniscus (group of fibers)
- funiculus (column or cord, can contain many tracts)
12
Q
White matter can go in these directions:
A
Ascending, descending
13
Q
What is the function of the brainstem?
A
Connects spinal cord to cerebrum and cerebellum
14
Q
Brainstem is also called
A
“Bulb” or “bulbar”
15
Q
Brainstem is made up of 3 divisions
A
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla oblongata
16
Q
In the medulla oblongata, gray matter is located in:
A
The inferior olivary nuclei “olives”
17
Q
Describe the inferior olivary nuclei:
A
Paired L & R, grey matter
Forms bulging landmarks on ventrolateral surface “olives”
18
Q
The medulla oblongata has these cranial nerve nuclei:
A
CN 12 - hypoglossal CN 11 - cranial root of spinal accessory CN 10 - vagus CN 9 - glossopharyngeal CN 8 - part of vestibulocochlear complex CN 5 - part of Trigeminal complex
19
Q
White matter in the medulla oblongata is located in:
A
“Pyramids” on ventral surface and Inferior Cerebellar peduncles (ICPs) on dorsal surface
20
Q
Where are “pyramids”?
A
Paired L+R on the ventral surface of medulla oblongata medial to “olives” (which is gray matter)
21
Q
Which direction of fibers does “pyramids” in the medulla oblongata contain?
A
Descending fibers ie. corticospinal axons
22
Q
What is the inferior cerebellar peduncles (ICPs)?
A
Paris L+R white matter on the dorsal surface of the medulla oblongata. “Stalks” of axons going to and from cerebellum.
23
Q
What is the function of the ICP?
A
Helps attach cerebellum to medulla
24
Q
The posterior pons contains:
A
White and gray matter
25
White matter in the dorsal pons includes:
Middle cerebellar peduncles (MCPs)
26
What are middle cerebellar peduncles (MCPs)?
Paired L+R, stalks of axons mainly going to cerebellum, help attach cerebellum to pons
27
Grey matter in dorsal pons includes cranial nerve nuclei:
CN 8 - part of vestibulocochlear complex
CN 7 - facial
CN 6 - abducens
CN 5 - part of trigeminal complex
28
The ventral (anterior) pons is also called
Basal or basilar pons
29
The ventral (anterior) pons contains
Gray and white matter
| Includes pontine nuclei
30
Decussate
When something crosses midline
31
The midbrain is also called
Mesencephalon
32
The midbrain (mesencephalon) includes what structure that divides the mesencephalon into ventral and dorsal portions
Cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius)
33
Ventral midbrain comprised of ___ and contains cranial nerve nuclei (aka gray matter):
Blank: 2 cerebral peduncles
CN 3 - oculomotor
CN 4 - trochlear
CN 5 - part of trigeminal
```
Red nucleus (motor)
Substantia nigra (motor)
```
34
What is the substantia nigra?
Serotonergic nuclei
35
substantia nigra is important in
Motor control
Think: Parkinson’s disease
36
The dorsal midbrain (aka mesencephalon) is called
“Tectum”
37
The tectum (dorsal midbrain) contains:
2 paired nuclei: superior and inferior colliculi
And superior cerebellar peduncles (SCPs)
38
What does the superior colliculi do?
Reflexes
39
What does the inferior colliculi do?
Auditory
40
Describe the superior cerebellar peduncles (SCPs)
Paired L+R white matter of the dorsal midbrain “tectum” that connects the cerebellum and cerebrum to itself, the midbrain
41
The cerebellum contains
Gray and white matter
42
The gray matter of the cerebellum is located
Mostly on outer surface = cortex
43
The cortex of cerebellum is arranged in leaf-like folds called
folia
44
The white matter of the cerebellum is located here
In the core, called medullary center
45
The ICP (inferior cerebellar peduncle) connects the ____ to the _____
Cerebellum to the medulla
46
The MCP (middle cerebellar peduncle) connects the ____ to the _____
Cerebellum to the pons
47
The SCP (superior cerebellar peduncle) connects the ____ to the _____
Cerebellum to the midbrain and cerebrum
48
What does the cerebellum function to do?
Receive sensory input from cerebral cortex, sensory systems and other CNS areas
Influence skeletal muscle activity: posture, equilibrium, coordination + control of movement
49
The cerebellum is mainly ____ control of motor activity
Unconscious (though there is some research proving otherwise)
50
The cerebrum has 2 major distinctions or cerebral hemispheres called:
Diencephalon and telencephalon
51
Diencephalon means
“Between” “brain”
52
Telencephalon means
“End” “brain”
53
The diencephalon is separated into R + L by:
III ventricle
54
The diencephalon forms the majority of _____ matter and some ______ matter
Gray; white
55
The diencephalon is divided into 4 parts
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Epithalamus
Subthalamus
56
The thalamus is a relay center for what kind of information
Sensory
57
The thalamus is involved in what kind of control
Motor
58
The thalamus influences what kind of brain activity:
Behavior
Judgement
Emotion
Consciousness
59
The hypothalamus is located
Beneath thalamus
60
What is the main autonomic center of the brain?
Hypothalamus
61
The hypothalamus aids in control of the:
Pituitary gland (endocrine system)
62
Where is the epithalamus located?
Dorsomedial to thalamus
63
The epithalamus contains this gland:
Pineal gland. Aka “epiphysis”
64
The pineal gland secretes _____ and plays a role in:
Melatonin; circadian rhythm
65
The subthalamus is located:
Inferior to thalamus and posterior to hypothalamus
66
The subthalamus includes a nucleus with what kind of function? And what is the name of the nucleus?
Motor function; subthalamus nucleus
67
The telencephalon consists of R+L hemisphere separated by
Longitudinal cerebral fissure
68
Gray matter of the telencephalon is located here:
Cerebral cortex, aka found on the surface
69
Define corpus striatum
‘Body’ ‘striped/striated’
70
Where is the white matter of the telencephalon found?
Medullary center
71
The 3 fiber types of white matter in the telencephalon are:
1. Association fibers
2. Commissural fibers
3. Projection fibers
72
What are association fibers?
Connect different cortical areas in the same hemisphere
73
What are commissural fibers?
Connect opposite hemispheres (R and L sides)
| Commissural fibers decussate.
74
What are projection fibers?
Connect cortical region to subcortical region
75
Right occipital lobe connecting to Right frontal lobe.
What is that an example of?
Association fibers
76
Corpus callosum
What is that an example of?
Commissural fibers
77
Thalamus-cortico fibers OR internal capsule
What is that/are those an example of?
Projection fibers
78
Why is the internal capsule important?
Major sensory and motor pathway
79
The internal capsule is sensitive to:
Ischemia (stroke)
80
The telencephalon has folds called
Gyri
81
Grooves between adjacent gyri are called
Sulci
82
Deeper grooves of the telencephalon are called
Fissures
83
Name the 5 anatomical lobes
```
Frontal
Parietal
Occipital
Temporal
Insula (Island of Reil)
```
84
What is the ventricular system?
Series of fluid-filled cavities (not actual spaces) within brain
85
Where is the ventricular system derived from in development?
Neural canal of embryonic neural tube
86
What is included within the ventricular system?
Choroid plexus
87
What does the choroid plexus do and where is it?
Produces and secretes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricular system
88
What is the flow of CSF?
Produced and secreted in choroid plexus
Enters the subarachnoid space around brain and spinal cord
Absorbed by arachnoid villi
89
What does CSF function to do?
Shock absorber
Circulate nutrients
Metabolic waste removal (aid)
90
Name the ventricles of the ventricular system in order:
Lateral ventricles - 2 paired L+R
III ventricle
IV ventricle
91
What are the parts of the lateral ventricles?
```
Anterior (frontal) horn
Body (central part)
Posterior (occipital) horn
Inferior (temporal) horn
Collateral trigone
```
92
Where is the anterior (frontal) horn of the lateral ventricle located?
Projects into frontal lobe
93
Where is the body (central part) of lateral ventricle located?
Area of pre- and post-central gyri
94
Where is the posterior (occipital) horn of lateral ventricle located?
Projects into occipital lobe
95
Where is the inferior (temporal) horn of lateral ventricle located?
Projects (because its a horn) into the temporal lobe
96
Where is the collateral trigone of the lateral ventricle?
Communication intersection of 3 parts (body, post and inf horns)
97
Describe the III ventricle
Unpaired chamber between two halves of diencephalon
98
What contains choroid plexus?
Ventricles
99
How do the lateral ventricles communicate with III ventricle?
Interventricular Foramina (of Monro)
100
What is the interventricular foramina (of Monro) and how does it connect ventricles?
Pair structure that connects anterior horn of each lateral ventricle to the III ventricle
101
What connects the III ventricle to the IV ventricle?
Cerebral Aqueduct (of Sylvius)
102
What is the Cerebral Aqueduct (of Sylvius), where is it located and how does it connect ventricles?
Single canal located in the midbrain that connects III ventricle to IV ventricle.
103
What divides anterior midbrain from posterior midbrain (tectum)?
Cerebral Aqueduct
104
What is the IV ventricle?
Unpaired ventricle, contains some choroid plexus
105
What are the borders of IV ventricle?
```
Roof = Cerebellum
Floor = Pons + Medulla = rhomboid fossa
```
106
What is the floor of the IV ventricle called?
Rhomboid fossa
107
Name the 3 openings for CSF to exit IV ventricle
1. & 2. Paired R+L lateral apertures (foramina of Luschka)
3. Median aperture (foramen of Magendie)
108
Where do the lateral apertures (foramina of luschka) extend and what does it do?
Extends around the sides of medulla and connects the IV ventricle to subarachnoid space
109
Where does the median aperture (foramen of Magendie) extend and what does it do?
Between cerebellum and medulla and connects IV ventricle to subarachnoid space through cisterns magna
110
What is the cisterns magna (cerebellomedullary cistern) and what aperture communicates with it?
Reservoir between cerebellum and medulla; median aperture (foramen of Magendie)
111
What aperture flows directly into IV ventricle?
Lateral apertures (foramina of Luschka)
112
What happens if production and resorption of CSF is unbalanced?
Hydrocephalus
113
What is hydrocephalus>
Excess CSF, increased pressure of CSF
114
What causes hydrocephalus?
Excess secretion, poor resorption or blockage of CSF
115
What are the 3 classifications of Hydrocephalus?
1. Non-communicating (obstructive) hydrocephalus
2. Communicating hydrocephalus
3. Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)
116
What is non-communicating hydrocephalus?
Blockage of CSF circulation exiting the ventricles (excess CSF upstream of blockage)
117
What is a common cause of non-communicating hydrocephalus?
Aqueductal stenosis
118
What is communicating hydrocephalus?
Excess CSF through entire ventricular system.
119
Why might communicating hydrocephalus happen?
Dysfunctional CSF resorption
120
What is normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)?
Abnormal CSF level increase that might result in enlarged ventricles
121
What kind of “activities” does NPH sometimes follow?
Trauma, surgery, infection
122
What are the potential negative effects of hydrocephalus?
Mechanical damage to nervous tissue
123
What 3 types of mechanical damage might hydrocephalus cause?
1. Neurological deficits
2. Headaches
3. Papilledema - optic disc edema due to increased pressure on optic nerve
124
What’s a potential treatment for hydrocephalus?
Ventriculoatrial shunt to resorb CSF into cardiac atrium.
| Also, ventricuoperitoneal shunt to pleural space
125
What 4 structures border the ventricular system? Which ones are grey matter and which ones are white matter?
Caudate nucleus
Amygdaloid
Hippocampus
Fornix - white matter, all others are grey matter
126
Where are the 3 parts of the caudate nucleus located?
Head - lateral wall of anterior (frontal) horn of lateral ventricle
Body - lateral wall of the body (central part) of lateral ventricle
Tail - roof of inferior (temporal) horn of lateral ventricle
127
Where is the amygdala located?
Anterior to the tip of the inferior (temporal) horn of the lateral ventricle and tail of the caudate nucleus
128
Where is the hippocampus located?
Floor of inferior (temporal) horn of lateral ventricle
129
What is the function of hippocampus?
Memory and emotions (limbic system)
130
Where is the fornix located?
Fiber tract connecting hippocampus to diencephalon (so, white matter). Forms arch over thalamus
131
The corpus striatum is made up of:
Caudate nucleus and
| Lenticular (lentiform) nucleus
132
The Lenticular (lentiform) nucleus is made up of 2 parts. Name the parts and any directional (lateral/medial, ant/post, etc) significance.
Globes pallidus - medial part
| Putamen (like forAMEN) - lateral part
133
The internal capsule is made up of _____ fibers which do what?
Projection fibers; [sub]cortical region to [sub]cortical region communication
So, white matter (because: fibers.)
134
Name the 3 regions of the internal capsule:
Anterior limb
Genu
Posterior limb
135
What does the anterior limb of internal capsule do?
Separates lenticular nucleus from head of caudate nucleus
136
What does gene (knee) of internal capsule do?
Connects anterior limb to posterior limb
137
What does posterior limb of internal capsule do?
Separates lenticular nucleus from thalamus
138
How does CSF exit IV ventricle?
Apertures
