Structure of the brain
What are the two types of matter in the CNS
Gray matter: short, nonmyelinated neurons and cell
bodies
White matter: mostly myelinated and some
nonmyelinated axons
Where are the cerebral hemisphere located?
Cerebral hemispheres form superior part of
brain
83% of total brain mass
What are the 3 structures of the diencephalon
Thalamus, epithalamus. hypothalamus
What are the functions of the brain stem?
Controls automatic behaviors necessary for
survival
Associated with 10 of the 12 pairs of cranial
nerves
What are ventricles in the brain? Describe their position in the brain and include some key features about them(i.e. purpose, what's in them).
Continuous with each other and spinal canal
Filled with cerebrospinal fluid
Lined by ependymal cells
Communicating network
2 lateral, third, and fourth ventricles
frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal
What is the importance of the thalamus in regards to communication within the brain
Relay station for info coming into cerebral cortex
What are the three regions of the brain stem?
Three regions
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla oblongata
Where is the Cerebral Cortex and what is it's function?
Thin (2–4 mm) superficial layer of gray matter
40% of the mass of the brain
Executive suite, conscious mind
Describe the lateralization of cortical function
Lateralization is the division of labor between
hemispheres
Left hemisphere:
language abilities, math, and logic
Right hemisphere
More free-spirited, more involved in visual-spatial skills,
intuition, emotion, and artistic/musical skills
Left and right hemispheres communicate via fiber tracts
in the cerebral white matter
What is the function of the epithalamus? what gland does it use to help with this function?
regulate sleep wake cycle, pineal gland which secretes melatonin
Which nerves originate form the brain stem?
Cranial nerves
What are the common surface marking of the cerebral hemispheres?
Surface markings:
Gyri – elevated ridges
Sulci – shallow grooves
Fissures – deeper grooves
Longitudinal fissure
Transverse cerebral fissure
What are the three types of functional areas?
Three types of functional areas
Motor areas
Sensory areas
Association areas
What does the Hypothalamus do?
Important for homeostasis
hormonal controls
What is the function of the cerebellum
balance and coordiante movements.
Why are the surface marking of the brain so necessary for us as humans.
Increase surface area of cerebral cortex.
Where is Broca's area located and what does it do?
Involved in speech production, frontal lobe superior to temporal lobe.
What glands hang off the hypothalamus, and why is this important?
Pituitary glands
Hypothalamus is important for hormone regulation, send signals to these glands
What is the function of the medulla oblongata
Cardiovascular center. This includes the cardiac center, which adjusts the force and rate of heart contraction to meet the body’s needs, and the vasomotor center, which changes blood vessel diameter to regulate blood pressure.
Respiratory centers. These generate the respiratory rhythm and (together with pontine centers) control the rate and depth of breathing.
Various other centers. Additional centers regulate such activities as vomiting, hiccuping, swallowing, coughing, and sneezing.