Brain Geography
Neuro Nightmares
History of the Mind
Brain Basics
Lowkey Genius, Highkey Random
200
This structure acts as a relay station, sending sensory information to the correct parts of the brain.
What is the thalamus?
200
This type of stroke is caused by a blockage, often due to a blood clot, that stops blood flow to the brain.
What is ischemic stroke?
200
This ancient Egyptian document is one of the first known medical texts to describe brain injuries
What is the Edwin Smith Papyrus?
200
This long projection of a neuron carries electrical signals away from the cell body toward other neurons or muscles.
What is an axon?
200
This protective barrier prevents many harmful substances in the bloodstream from entering the brain.
What is the blood brain barrier?
400
This groove separates the frontal and parietal lobes and is an important landmark on the brain’s surface.
What is the central sulcus?
400
This disease occurs when the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, disrupting nerve signals in the central nervous system.
What is multiple sclerosis?
400
This Greek physician believed the brain, not the heart, was the center of thought.
Who is Hippocrates?
400
This specialized junction between two neurons is where neurotransmitters are released to pass a signal to another cell.
What is synapse?
400
The human brain contains roughly this many neurons.
What is over 80 billion?
600
This deep groove separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.
What is the Sylvian Fissure?
600
This type of traumatic brain injury is caused by a sudden blow or jolt to the head and can result in confusion, headache, and memory problems.
What is a concussion?
600
This famous case study of a railroad worker helped scientists understand how the frontal lobe affects personality.
Who is Phineas Gage?
600
This type of neuron carries signals from the brain to muscles to create movement.
What are motor neurons?
600
This neurotransmitter is involved in sleep and mood regulation and is often linked to depression.
What is serotonin?
800
This part of the brain controls breathing, heart rate, and other automatic functions that keep you alive.
What is the brainstem?
800
This condition, sometimes called “water on the brain,” occurs when fluid builds up in the brain’s ventricles.
What is hydrocephalus?
800
This scientist is known for drawing detailed pictures of neurons and is considered the father of modern neuroscience.
Who is Santiago Ramon and Cajal?
800
This electrochemical signal occurs when the membrane potential of a neuron rapidly rises and falls as ions move across the membrane.
What is an action potential?
800
This frequency is commonly found during sleep.
What are delta waves?
1000
These interconnected spaces within the brain are filled with cerebrospinal fluid and help protect and cushion the brain.
What are the ventricles?
1000
This forms from rapidly dividing cells and can spread to many parts of the brain.
What are brain tumors?
1000
This Canadian neurosurgeon mapped brain function by stimulating areas of the cortex during surgery.
Who is Wilder Penfield?
1000
This branch of the nervous system prepares the body for “fight or flight”.
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
1000
This chemical in the brain is often called the “feel-good” neurotransmitter and is linked to reward and motivation
What is dopamine?