Nervous System - The Brains :Structure + Function Flashcards
(9 cards)
Function of the cerebrum
- controls intelligence, consciousness, memory and language
Function of the cerebellum -
Controls balance, co-ordination of movement the coordination of muscular activity
Function of the Medulla
Controls unconscious activities - heartbeat + breathing
Function of the spinal cord
responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body
what are the benefits of brain procedures
- develop new drugs and medical treatments for some disorders and diseases
how do scientist identify and study people with brain damage
- map the regions of the brain to particular functions by studying patients with brain damage
- electrically stimulating different parts of the brain
- using MRI, CT, PET scanning techniques
what are the risks and difficulties of brain procedures
complexity and delicacy of the brain makes investigating and treating brain disorders very difficult –> damage can be long term
- difficult to fix with drugs + chemicals –> not yet understand side effects + underlying process
what can go wrong with the brain upon surgery
- tumours
- trauma
- infections
- mental health problems
why is it hard to surgically work on the brain
- Skull = physically difficult to access
- surrounding tissue is fragile