Session 2 - intro to nervous system and neuroanatomy Flashcards
cranial
towards the head
caudal
towards the ‘tail’
rostral
towards the face
dorsal
posterior
ventral
anterial
What makes up the central nervous system (CNS)
brain and spinal cord
what makes up the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
cranial nerves, spinal nerves and autonomic nerves
somatic vs autonomic
somatic is voluntary and autonomic is involuntary
cerebrum- describe overall structure of cerebrum
largest part of brain, compsed on neurones and supporting cells, split into left and right hemispheres which are connected
describe cerebral cortex structure
surface is called cerebral cortex (consists of nuerone cell bodies give grey appearance hence grey matter and info is processed here), cortex contains many folds- gyrus (gyri s.) and the grooves between folds are called sulus (sulci s.)
describe inner structure of cerebrum hemispheres
within hemispheres: masses of axons (white matter) and info is transmitted here) , collection of cell bodies (nuclei) and look grey in comparison to white matter
name the lobes within each cerebrum
frontal (largest sits in anterior positon), parietal, occipital (smallest and sits posteriorly), temporal (all named after bones in skull)
the cerebellum- location relating to cerebrum, describe structure
is infereior to posterior part of cerebrum, composed of left and right hemispheres connected, highly folded cortex, cotains white matter and nuclei deep (collection of cell bodies within CNS), attached to brainstem
the brainstem- location, main parts, fucntion
3 main parts: midbrain, pons and medulla, sits inferior to cerebrum, anterior to cerebellum, function- relays info , gives rise to most cranial nerves, contains regulatory centres for breathing and consciousness
the spinal cord- connected to? purpose, structure
continuos with medulla of brainstem and is protected by vertebral column but is shorter than column and actually ends around L1-L2, neurone cell bodies located within are grey matter (appears like a H in transverse cross-section) these are then surrounded by white matter which contains tracts (bundles of axons that connect different parts of CNS together) however these cannot be seen with naked eye. 31 pairs of spinal nerves are attached to spinal cord and corresponds to a difefrnet segment. They carry info between spinal cord and periphery (muscle and skin)
brain ventricles- structure, function
4 ventricles are continuos with each other and are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) produced by specialised cells, CSF leaves venrtivles through small openings and surrounds brain and spinal cord. Function is: provides nutrient to brain, cushions brain, prevents delicate nerves and vessels being compressed, there is also a narrow CSF-filled channel within spinal cord.
the meninges: names of meningeal layers
3 membrane between brain and spinal cord, menegial layers called: dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater
dura mater- structure
Dura mater: lines inner surface of skull and vertebral column, thick and strong, extensions of dura project into cranial cavity
arachnoid mater- structure
deep to the dura, thin and loosley enclose brain and spinal cord
pia mater- structure
deep to arachnoid mater, thin and loosely adgere to surafce of brain and spinal cord, cannot be seen with naked eye
name the four arteries that supply the brain with blood
left and right internal carotid, left and right vertebral arteries
What is the circle of willis
arteries join together to form a circle (example of anastomosis), blood supply to all areas of brain even if an artery is cut off
arteries present in brain
cerebral arteries- supply cerebral hemispheres, cerebellar arteries- supply cerebellum, arteries that supply brain stem and spinak cord
veins present in brain
deep veins and superficial veins which drain blood from brain, also large veins called dural venous sinuses (enclosed in dura mater)