The Brain Flashcards
(46 cards)
Where does the nervous system develop from?
The nervous system develops from a hollow neural tube, which central cavity is modified in embryo
Name the Ventricles of the Brain
The first 2 ventricles are paired and known as the Cerebrum. The 3rd ventricle is the Diancephalon, the fourth is the Brainstem
How many planes can the brain be viewed in and what are their names?
The brain can be viewed in 3 planes: Coronal, Saggital, and Horizontal/Transversal
Name some ways in which the brain is protected
The brain is protected in a number of ways: Skin and hair on head, Cranium, 3 Meningeal sheaths, Cerebrospinal Fluid, and a highly selective blood barrier
Name some facts about the Cerebrum
The cerebrum is the largest portion of the brain, made up of two hemispheres (R&L), connected by a corpus callosum. It is the central processing centre of the brain and its main structures are the cerebral cortex and basal nuclei.
What are the 3 main regions of the brain
The 3 main regions of the brain are: The brain stem, Cerebellum, and Forebrain
What structures are included under the brain stem?
The structures included under the brain stem are: the midbrain, the pons, and medulla
What structures are included under the forebrain?
The structures that are included under the forebrain are: the diencephalon (hypothalamus, and thalamus), the basal nuclei, and the cerebral cortex
What are gyri?
Gyri are the bumps in the brain. They’re also each peak of lumps and bumps
What are sulci?
Sulci are the indentations of the brain. Each lower parts of lumps and bumps.
What is the structure of the cerebrum?
The cerebrum is made up of 2 hemispheres (R&L), it is connected by the corpus callosum. It has a thin outer shell made up of grey matter and a thick central core made up of white matter.
What is grey matter?
Grey matter: consists primarily of neuron cell bodies, but also contains dendrites. It is responsible for information processing, thinking, learning, and decision-making.
What is white matter?
White matter: Composed of long, myelinated axons that transmit signals between different parts of the brain. This facilitates communication between different brain regions. It appears white due to the presence of myelin
Describe the structure of the Cerebral Cortex
The cerebral cortex has a thin outer grey matter layer and a white matter core. In each hemisphere, deep folds divide the cortex into 4 lobes: Frontal. Parietal, Occipital, and Temporal
What are the higher functions of the cerebral cortex?
The higher functions of the cerebral cortex are: Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area, Association cortices, Primary auditory cortex, and Primary Visual cortex.
What is Broca’s area responsible for?
Broca’s area is responsible for speech
What is Wernicke’s area responsible for?
Wernicke’s area is responsible for speech understanding
What is the somatosensory cortex?
The Somatosensory cortex is the site of initial processing and perceptions of body sensations. As well as proprioception, it has information that is received from the CNS.
What is the Primary motor cortex?
The primary motor cortex allows voluntary control over skeletal muscle movement. Stimulation of the primary motor cortex produces movement in parts of the opposite side of the body
What does Homonculi mean?
Homonculi is essentially a distorted map of the body in the brain
What are the three areas of the higher motor cortex?
The 3 higher motor cortex areas are supplementary, Posterior Parietal, and Premotor Cortex.
How does the Cerebellum work with the higher motor cortex areas?
The cerebellum sends input into these regions, and therefore plays a role in initiating, planning, and timing some movements.
What is the limbic system comprised of?
The limbic system is comprised of a ring of interconnected forebrein structures: Thalmus, Hypothalmus, Hippocampus, and Amygdala
What does the limbic system play a key role in?
The Limbic system plays a key role in: Survival behaviour, Subjective emotional feelings, Emotional expression, and memory and learning
