Subcortical Structures And Their Functions

Question 1

What is the basal nuclei?

Answer 1

A collection of nuclei deep to the white matter of the cerebral cortex.

Question 2

What is the basal nuclei composed of?

Answer 2

Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus pallidus
Subthalamic nucleus
Substantia nigra

Question 3

What is the striatum made up of?

Answer 3

The caudate nucleus and the putamen

Question 4

What is the globus pallidus?

Answer 4

It can be subdivided into:
- globus pallidus externa (Gpe)
- globus pallidus interna (Gpi)
Output nucleus of basal nuclei
Both parts are functionally different with different connections

Question 5

What is the lentiform nucleus made up from?

Answer 5

Globus pallidus and the putamen

Question 6

How does the subthalamic nucleus act as part of the basal nuclei?

Answer 6

Receives afferents from the cortex and other basal nuclei structures
Excitatory output to globus pallidus and substantia nigra

Question 7

Where is the substantia nigra found?

Answer 7

In the rostral midbrain
Dopaminergic neurons project to striatum and subthalamic nucleus

Question 8

What are the four main parts of the limbic system?

Answer 8

Cingulate gyrus
Septal nuclei
Hippocampus
Amygdala

Question 9

Where is the limbic system found?

Answer 9

A ring of cortex spanning frontal, parietal and temporal lobes.

Question 10

What structures are part of the limbic system?

Answer 10

Subcallosal gyrus
Cingulate gyrus
Parahippocampal gyrus
Hippocampal formation
Amygdaloid nucleus mammillary
Anterior thalamic nucleus

Question 11

What are the three main parts to the hippocampus?

Answer 11

Subiculum
Hippocampus proper
Dentate gyrus

Question 12

What is neuro genesis?

Answer 12

The process in which neurones are generated from stem cells in the adults, the growth and development of nervous tissue.

Question 13

What afferents are involved in the amygdala?

Answer 13

Visual
Somatosensory
Gustatory
Olfactory
Thalamic
Cortical

Question 14

What roles does the amygdala have?

Answer 14

Emotions
Emotional memory and learning
Fear
Reward
If damaged normal facilitation of attention and memory of emotional stimuli is affected

Question 15

Where is the Diencephalon found?

Answer 15

Between the brain stem and the cerebral hemisphere.

Question 16

List the features of the thalamus.

Answer 16

2 thalami, one on each side of the 3rd ventricle
Connected by inter thalamic connection
Received and processes all info coming to the cerebrum
Subcortical structures project to the cortex via thalamus
Mediates emotional response, arousal and emotion

Question 17

Name the sensory relay nuclei found in the thalamus.

Answer 17

VPL - ventral posterolateral (spinothalamic)
VPM - ventral posteromedial (trigeminal)
MGN - medial geniculate nucleus (cochlea)
LGN - lateral geniculate nucleus (retina)

Question 18

Name the motor relay nuclei found in the thalamus.

Answer 18

VA - ventral anterior nucleus
VL - ventral lateral nucleus

Question 19

Name the two limbic relay nuclei in the thalamus.

Answer 19

Anterior nucleus (ANT)
Lateral dorsal nucleus (LD)

Question 20

Describe the anterior nucleus.

Answer 20

Input from ipsilateral mammillary body, relayed to cingulate cortex and prefrontal and parietal cortices

Question 21

Describe the lateral dorsal nucleus.

Answer 21

Input from entorhinal cortex relayed to cingulate cortex and prefrontal and parietal cortices

Question 22

What do the association nuclei do within the thalamus?

Answer 22

Modulators in interactions of one part of the cortex with another

Question 23

Name the two association nuclei within the thalamus.

Answer 23

Pulvinar
Dorsomedial

Question 24

Describe the pulvinar nucleus.

Answer 24

Receives input from retina and visual association areas to integrate and evaluate.
Visuospatial working memory
Related to auditory processing coordinates and engages areas important in language

Question 25

Describe the dorsomedial nucleus.

Answer 25

Afferent fibres from basal nuclei and amygdala
Plays a roles in limbic circuit of motivational and emotional aspects of behaviour

Question 26

Which nuclei are found in the thalamus?

Answer 26

Intralaminar nuclei
Thalamic reticular nucleus

Question 27

What two nuclei make up the intralaminar nuclei?

Answer 27

Centromedian (CM)
Parafasicular (PF)

Question 28

What do the intralaminar nuclei do?

Answer 28

Play a role in arousal and in facilitating awareness and vigilance
Connections to the striatum suggest a role in facilitating goal orientated behaviour

Question 29

Where is the thalamic reticular nucleus found and what does it do?

Answer 29

Sheet of neurones surrounding the thalamus
Modulate excitatory projections between the thalamus and cortex
Influence the flow of information from the thalamus

Question 30

Where is the hypothalamus found?

Answer 30

The floor of the Diencephalon
It is attached to the pituitary gland at the central side by the infundibulum and is penetrated by the 3rd ventricle

Question 31

What is the general role of the hypothalamus?

Answer 31

Main homeostatic centre
Direct contact with blood
Monitors everything
Secretes hormones

Question 32

What nuclei are found in the hypothalamus?

Answer 32

Supraoptic
Paraventricular
Ventromedial
Suprachiasmatic
Dorsomedial
Arcuate
Tuberal

Question 33

What are the afferent connections of the hypothalamus?

Answer 33

General somatic, visceral and gustatory
Limbic system
Olfactory information
Thalamohypothalamic
Retinohypothalamic

Question 34

What are the efferent connections of the hypothalamus?

Answer 34

Descending to visceral motor and nuclei via brainstem and spinal cord
(Sympathetic and parasympathetic nuclei and ganglia)
Ascending to the thalamus

Question 35

Where is the epithalamus found?

Answer 35

Forms the roof of the Diencephalon

Question 36

What are the components of the epithalamus?

Answer 36

The pineal gland (circadian rhythms)
Hebenular nucleus

Question 37

What is the role of the herbenular nucleus?

Answer 37

Centre for integration for olfactory, visceral and somatic efferent pathways