Week 20 Flashcards
(21 cards)
What are the principal parts of the brain?
- Cerebrum
- Diencephalon (thalamus & hypothalamus)
- Cerebellum
- Brainstem (medulla, pons & midbrain)
What does the medullary rhythmicity area control?
Sets basic rhythm of breathing
What are the functions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
- Mechanical protection
- Chemical protection
- Circulation
What is the role of the thalamus in the brain?
Relay station for sensory information on the way to cortex
Which part of the brain is associated with the regulation of heart rate and blood vessel diameter?
Cardiovascular center
What two main pathways are involved in somatic sensory pathways?
- Posterior column-medial meniscus pathway
- Antero-lateral (spinothalamic) pathway
What is the function of the reticular activating system (RAS)?
Alerts cerebral cortex to sensory signals to awaken from sleep
What does the limbic system regulate?
Emotional responses and memory efficiency
Fill in the blank: The _______ is a tract of nerve cells that carries motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord.
Cortico-spinal tract
What is the function of the red nucleus in the midbrain?
Coordinates muscular movements by sending information from cerebellum and cortex
True or False: The hypothalamus regulates circadian rhythms and states of consciousness.
True
What structures are included in the protective covering of the brain?
- Cranial bones
- Cerebrospinal fluid
- Cranial meninges (dura mater, arachnoid, pia mater)
What is the primary function of the cerebellum?
Correct voluntary muscle contraction and posture based on sensory data
What are the components of the brainstem?
- Medulla
- Pons
- Midbrain
What is the role of the substantia nigra?
Helps control subconscious muscle activity; loss is associated with Parkinson disease
What is the function of the pneumotaxic and apneustic areas?
Help control breathing
What is the primary role of the basal ganglia?
Coordinate automatic muscle movement and help regulate muscle tone
What are the two main types of fibers in cerebral white matter?
- Association fibers
- Commissural fibers
- Projection fibers
What is the function of the epithalamus?
Secretes melatonin during darkness to promote sleepiness and set biological clock
What is the average volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the human body?
80-150 ml (3-5 oz)
Fill in the blank: The _______ contains synapses of axons from the cerebellum and cortex.
Red nucleus
