week 3 - nervous system anatomy

Question 1

spinal nerve

Answer 1

A spinal nerve is a nerve that comes out of the spinal cord and carries messages between the brain and the body. Each spinal nerve has both sensory fibers, which bring information to the brain, and motor fibers, which send commands to muscles.

Question 2

dorsal root ganglion

Answer 2

The dorsal root ganglion is a cluster of nerve cell bodies located along the dorsal root of a spinal nerve. It contains sensory neurons that carry information, like touch, pain, and temperature, from the body to the spinal cord.

Question 3

anterior root of spinal nerve

Answer 3

The anterior root of a spinal nerve is the part that carries motor signals from the spinal cord to the muscles. It contains motor nerve fibers that control voluntary and involuntary movements.

Question 4

lateral white column

Answer 4

The lateral white column is a section of white matter on each side of the spinal cord. It contains nerve fibers (axons) that carry signals up to the brain (sensory) and down from the brain (motor).

Question 5

anterior white column

Answer 5

The anterior white column is a part of the white matter in the front section of the spinal cord. It contains nerve fibers that carry motor signals from the brain to the body and some sensory signals from the body to the brain.

Question 6

posterior white column

Answer 6

The posterior white column is a part of the white matter located at the back of the spinal cord. It carries sensory signals, such as touch, vibration, and proprioception (body position), from the body to the brain.

Question 7

posterior gray horn

Answer 7

The posterior gray horn is the back part of the gray matter in the spinal cord. It contains sensory neurons that receive signals from the body, like touch, pain, and temperature, and send them to the brain for processing.

Question 8

anterior gray horn

Answer 8

The anterior gray horn is the front part of the gray matter in the spinal cord. It contains motor neurons that send signals from the spinal cord to the muscles, controlling voluntary movements.

Question 9

anterior median fissure

Answer 9

The anterior median fissure is a deep groove along the front (anterior) side of the spinal cord. It helps divide the spinal cord into left and right halves and contains blood vessels that supply the spinal cord.

Question 10

gray commissure

Answer 10

The gray commissure is a thin strip of gray matter that connects the left and right sides of the spinal cord. It surrounds the central canal and allows nerve signals to pass between both sides of the spinal cord.

Question 11

central canal

Answer 11

The central canal is a small, hollow tube that runs through the middle of the spinal cord. It contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which cushions the spinal cord and helps transport nutrients and waste.

Question 12

posterior median sulcus

Answer 12

The posterior median sulcus is a shallow groove that runs along the back (posterior) side of the spinal cord. It helps divide the spinal cord into left and right halves.

Question 13

sensor tracts

Answer 13

Sensory tracts are pathways in the spinal cord that carry sensory information, like touch, pain, temperature, and body position, from the body to the brain for processing.

Question 14

motor tracts

Answer 14

Motor tracts are pathways in the spinal cord that carry signals from the brain to the muscles, controlling voluntary and involuntary movements.

Question 15

basic reflex arc

Answer 15

Receptor – Detects the stimulus (e.g., touching something hot).
Sensory neuron – Carries the signal to the spinal cord.
Integration center – The spinal cord processes the information.
Motor neuron – Sends a command to the muscle.
Effector – The muscle reacts (e.g., pulling your hand away).

Question 16

neurulation

Answer 16

Neurulation is the process in early embryo development where the neural tube forms. This tube eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord. It starts with the neural plate folding into a groove and then closing to form the tube.

Question 17

cerebrospinal fluid

Answer 17

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, watery fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. made up of water, cations, lactic acid, urea, glucose, etc. It cushions and protects them from injury, delivers nutrients, and removes waste.

Question 18

lateral ventricles

Answer 18

The lateral ventricles are two large, C-shaped cavities located in each hemisphere of the brain. They are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which helps cushion the brain, remove waste, and provide nutrients.

Question 19

intraventricular foramen

Answer 19

The interventricular foramen is a small opening that connects each lateral ventricle to the third ventricle in the brain. It allows cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flow between these ventricles.

Question 20

third ventricle

Answer 20

The third ventricle is a narrow, fluid-filled cavity located in the middle of the brain, between the two halves of the thalamus. It contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and helps circulate it throughout the brain and spinal cord.

Question 21

aquaduct of midbrain

Answer 21

The aqueduct of the midbrain, also called the cerebral aqueduct, is a narrow canal that connects the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle. It allows cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flow between these ventricles.

Question 22

fourth ventricle

Answer 22

The fourth ventricle is a fluid-filled cavity located between the brainstem and the cerebellum. It contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and connects to the central canal of the spinal cord, helping circulate CSF throughout the brain and spinal cord.

Question 23

lateral aperture

Answer 23

The lateral aperture is an opening on each side of the fourth ventricle in the brain. It allows cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flow from the fourth ventricle into the subarachnoid space, surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Question 24

cerebellum

Answer 24

The cerebellum is a part of the brain located at the back, below the cerebrum. It helps control balance, coordination, and fine muscle movements, making actions smooth and precise. It also plays a role in learning motor skills.

Question 25

medulla oblongata

Answer 25

The medulla oblongata is the lower part of the brainstem that connects the brain to the spinal cord. It controls vital functions like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and reflexes such as coughing and swallowing.

Question 26

pons

Answer 26

The pons is a part of the brainstem located above the medulla oblongata. It acts as a bridge, connecting different parts of the brain, including the cerebrum and cerebellum. It also helps control breathing, sleep, and facial movements.

Question 27

midbrain

Answer 27

The midbrain is the upper part of the brainstem that connects the brain to the spinal cord. It controls reflexes for vision and hearing, helps with movement, and plays a role in alertness and sleep.

Question 28

olive

Answer 28

The olive of the medulla oblongata is a rounded structure on each side of the medulla. It plays a role in motor control by helping coordinate signals between the brain and spinal cord, especially for movement and learning motor skills.

Question 29

pyramids

Answer 29

The pyramids of the medulla oblongata are two triangular structures on the front of the medulla. They contain nerve fibers (corticospinal tracts) that carry motor signals from the brain to the spinal cord, controlling voluntary movements.

Question 30

decussation of pyramids

Answer 30

The decussation of pyramids is the point in the medulla oblongata where most motor nerve fibers cross from one side of the brain to the opposite side of the body. This crossing explains why the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa.

Question 31

inferior olivary nuclei

Answer 31

The inferior olivary nuclei are structures in the medulla oblongata that play a key role in motor coordination and learning. They send signals to the cerebellum to help fine-tune movements and improve motor skills.

Question 32

thalamus

Answer 32

The thalamus is a part of the brain located above the brainstem. It acts as a relay station, passing sensory information (like touch, sight, and sound) from the body to the brain's cortex for processing. It also helps regulate sleep, alertness, and attention.

Question 33

hypothalamus

Answer 33

The hypothalamus is a small but important part of the brain located below the thalamus. It helps control body functions like hunger, thirst, body temperature, sleep, and hormone release by communicating with the pituitary gland. It also plays a key role in maintaining the body's internal balance (homeostasis).

Question 34

cerebral peduncle

Answer 34

The cerebral peduncles are two thick bundles of nerve fibers located in the midbrain. They connect the cerebrum to the brainstem and spinal cord, carrying motor signals from the brain to the body and sensory signals from the body to the brain.

Question 35

superior colliculus

Answer 35

The superior colliculus is a part of the midbrain that helps control visual reflexes. It allows you to quickly turn your head and eyes toward something you see, like a moving object or a bright light.

Question 36

inferior colliculus

Answer 36

The inferior colliculus is a part of the midbrain that helps process auditory information. It acts as a relay station, sending sound signals from the ear to the brain and helping with reflexes like turning your head toward a loud noise.

Question 37

reticular activating system

Answer 37

The reticular activating system (RAS) is a network of nerves in the brainstem that controls wakefulness, alertness, and attention. It helps you stay awake, focus on important information, and filter out background noise.

Question 38

pineal gland

Answer 38

The pineal gland is a small, pea-shaped gland located deep in the brain, between the two hemispheres. It produces and regulates hormones, mainly melatonin, which controls the sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm).

Question 39

cerebral cortex

Answer 39

The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain, made up of gray matter. It controls higher functions like thinking, memory, decision-making, sensory perception, and voluntary movements. It has folds (gyri) and grooves (sulci) to increase its surface area.

Question 40

gyrus

Answer 40

A gyrus is a raised, ridge-like fold on the surface of the brain's cerebral cortex. These folds increase the brain's surface area, allowing for more neurons and better processing of information.

Question 41

sulcus

Answer 41

A sulcus is a shallow groove or furrow on the surface of the brain, found between the raised folds called gyri. Sulci help increase the brain's surface area, allowing for more complex brain functions.

Question 42

frontal lobe

Answer 42

The frontal lobe is the front part of the brain, responsible for important functions like decision-making, problem-solving, personality, voluntary movement, and speech (through Broca's area). It also helps control emotions and behavior.

Question 43

parietal lobe

Answer 43

The parietal lobe is the part of the brain located near the top and back of the head. It processes sensory information like touch, temperature, and pain. It also helps with spatial awareness and understanding where your body is in space.

Question 44

occipital lobe

Answer 44

The occipital lobe is the back part of the brain that processes visual information. It helps you understand what you see, such as shapes, colors, and movement.

Question 45

temporal lobe

Answer 45

The temporal lobe is the part of the brain located on the sides, near the ears. It processes hearing, memory, language understanding, and emotional responses. It also helps recognize faces and sounds.

Question 46

longitudinal fissure

Answer 46

The longitudinal fissure is a deep groove that runs down the middle of the brain, dividing it into the left and right hemispheres.

Question 47

central sulcus

Answer 47

The central sulcus is a groove in the brain that separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe. It also divides the primary motor cortex in front from the primary sensory cortex behind it.

Question 48

precentral gyrus

Answer 48

The precentral gyrus is a ridge located in the frontal lobe, just in front of the central sulcus. It contains the primary motor cortex, which controls voluntary muscle movements.

Question 49

postcentral gyrus

Answer 49

The postcentral gyrus is a ridge located in the parietal lobe, just behind the central sulcus. It contains the primary somatosensory cortex, which processes sensory information like touch, pressure, pain, and temperature from the body.

Question 50

parieto occipital sulcus

Answer 50

The parieto-occipital sulcus is a groove in the brain that separates the parietal lobe from the occipital lobe. It helps define the boundaries between areas responsible for sensory processing and visual processing.

Question 51

insula

Answer 51

The insula is a small, hidden region of the brain located deep within the cerebral cortex, beneath the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes. It plays a role in processing emotions, taste, pain, and the body's internal sensations, like hunger and heartbeat awareness.

Question 52

lateral cerebral sulcus

Answer 52

The lateral cerebral sulcus, also called the Sylvian fissure, is a deep groove that separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe. It plays a key role in dividing different functional areas of the brain.

Question 53

transverse fissure

Answer 53

The transverse fissure is a deep groove in the brain that separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum. It helps define the boundary between these two major brain regions.

Question 54

projection tracts

Answer 54

Projection tracts are nerve pathways that connect the brain's cerebral cortex to other parts of the brain and spinal cord. They carry signals up and down, allowing communication between higher and lower brain regions.

Question 55

commissural tracts

Answer 55

Commissural tracts are nerve fibers that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain, allowing them to communicate. The largest commissural tract is the corpus callosum.

Question 56

association tracts

Answer 56

Association tracts are nerve fibers in the brain that connect different regions within the same hemisphere. They help areas of the brain work together by sharing information.

Question 57

primary somatosensory area

Answer 57

The primary somatosensory area is a part of the brain located in the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe. It processes sensory information from the body, such as touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and body position.

Question 58

primary motor area

Answer 58

The primary motor area is a part of the brain that helps control voluntary movements, like moving your arms, legs, or fingers. It's located in the front part of the brain.

Question 59

sensory homunculus

Answer 59

The sensory homunculus is a map of the body in the brain that shows how different parts of the body are connected to the sensation areas of the brain. It’s like a "body map" where parts of the body are represented based on how sensitive they are.

Question 60

motor homunculus

Answer 60

The motor homunculus is a map in the brain that shows which parts control movement in different parts of your body. It's like a "body map" where parts of the body are shown bigger or smaller based on how much control the brain has over them.

Question 61

primary gustatory area

Answer 61

The primary gustatory area is the part of the brain that helps you taste things. It's located in a part of the brain called the insula. When you eat or drink, signals from your taste buds are sent to this area, allowing you to experience different tastes, like sweet, sour, salty, or bitter

Question 62

primary auditory area

Answer 62

The primary auditory area is the part of the brain that helps you hear sounds. It's located in the temporal lobe. When sound reaches your ears, the signals are sent to this area of the brain, where they are processed so you can recognize and understand what you're hearing, like speech, music, or noise.

Question 63

primary visual area

Answer 63

The primary visual area is the part of the brain that helps you see. It's located in the occipital lobe at the back of your brain. When light hits your eyes, the signals are sent to this area, where the brain processes what you're looking at, like shapes, colors, and movement, so you can understand and recognize what you see.

Question 64

somatic nervous system

Answer 64

The somatic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary movements and the senses.

Question 65

autonomic nervous system

Answer 65

The autonomic nervous system controls the parts of your body that work automatically, without you having to think about them. It controls things like your heart beating, breathing, digestion, and sweating. It has two parts: one that speeds things up (like making your heart beat faster when you're scared) and one that slows things down (like helping you relax).

Question 66

central nervous system

Answer 66

The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of your brain and spinal cord. It acts as the control center of your body, processing information and sending out signals to help you think, feel, move, and react to things. It helps you make decisions, remember things, and even control things like breathing and heart rate.

Question 67

peripheral nervous system

Answer 67

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is made up of all the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. It connects your central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of your body, like your muscles, organs, and skin. The PNS helps carry messages to and from the brain, so you can move, feel, and respond to things around you.

Question 68

dura mater

Answer 68

The dura mater is a tough, thick layer of tissue that covers and protects your brain and spinal cord. It’s the outermost of the three layers (called meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord, acting like a shield to keep them safe from injury.

Question 69

arachnoid mater

Answer 69

The arachnoid mater is a thin, web-like layer of tissue that lies between the dura mater (the outer layer) and the pia mater (the inner layer) around your brain and spinal cord. It's called "arachnoid" because it looks a bit like a spider's web. This layer helps protect the brain and spinal cord and contains a space filled with fluid, which acts as a cushion to protect them from injury.

Question 70

pia mater

Answer 70

The pia mater is the innermost layer of tissue that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord. It’s very thin and delicate, and it fits closely around the surface of the brain and spinal cord, following all their shapes and grooves. The pia mater helps keep the brain and spinal cord safe and also carries blood vessels that supply nutrients to them.

Question 71

epidural space

Answer 71

The epidural space is the area between the outer layer of tissue covering the spinal cord (called the dura mater) and the inside of the bones in your spine. It contains fat and blood vessels and acts as a cushion, protecting the spinal cord.

Question 72

subarachnoid space

Answer 72

The subarachnoid space is the area between two layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord—the arachnoid mater and the pia mater. This space is filled with a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which helps protect and cushion the brain and spinal cord. It also helps carry nutrients and remove waste from the brain.

Question 73

superior sagittal sinus

Answer 73

The superior sagittal sinus is a large vein that runs along the top of your brain. It collects blood from the brain and carries it back to the heart. It’s part of the system that helps drain used blood and other waste from the brain, keeping things running smoothly

Question 74

falx cerebri

Answer 74

The falx cerebri is a thick, curved piece of tissue in the brain that helps separate the two halves (hemispheres) of the brain.

Question 75

straight sinus

Answer 75

The straight sinus is a vein in the brain that helps drain blood. It runs along the bottom of the brain and connects different veins, carrying the blood away from the brain to be filtered and eventually returned to the heart. It’s part of the brain’s drainage system, helping remove waste and used blood.

Question 76

tentorium

Answer 76

The tentorium (or tentorium cerebelli) is a layer of tissue in the brain that acts like a "tent" to separate the brain's upper part (the cerebrum) from the lower part (the cerebellum). It helps support and protect these areas of the brain, keeping them in place and preventing them from pressing into each other.

Question 77

falx cerebelli

Answer 77

The falx cerebelli is a small, curved piece of tissue in the brain that separates the two halves of the cerebellum. It helps support the cerebellum and keeps the two sides from pressing into each other.

Question 78

periosteal layers

Answer 78

The periosteal layers are the outer layers of tissue that cover the bones of the skull. They are part of the dura mater, one of the protective layers around the brain. These layers help protect the brain and also serve to attach the skull bones to the brain's outer protective covering.

Question 79

meningeal layers

Answer 79

The meningeal layers are the three protective coverings that surround the brain and spinal cord. They act like a shield to keep the brain safe from injury and infection. Here's a simple breakdown of each layer: