The Brain – Structure & Function
This organ makes up only 3% of body weight but uses about 20% of the blood supply.
the brain
The brain structure responsible for balance, coordination, and muscle preset.
cerebellum
This lobe receives and integrates visual sensory information.
the occipital lobe
These three layers protect the brain and spinal cord.
meninges (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
These nerves bring sensory information into the spinal cord and contain ganglia.
dorsal (posterior) roots
This term means “lack of blood,” leading to neuron death because lysosomes burst.
ischemia
This “bridge” relays messages between the cerebrum and cerebellum and assists with breathing.
pons
Located on the postcentral gyrus, this area receives sensory input from the body.
primary somatic sensory cortex?
This clear fluid cushions and protects the brain.
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
This region of gray matter contains cell bodies of motor neurons.
ventral (anterior) horn
This type of stroke involves a blood vessel bursting inside the brain.
hemorrhagic stroke
This area controls cycles of sleeping and waking and receives many facial afferent signals.
reticular formation
This area helps you understand spoken language.
Wernicke’s area
These structures, made of ependymal cells and blood vessels, produce CSF.
choroid plexuses
This term describes the spinal cord tapering into a cone-shaped structure.
conus medullaris
These neurons link other neurons together and are part of complex brain networks.
association neurons
These deep grooves divide the cerebrum into lobes.
fissures/sulci
This part of the cerebrum is responsible for reasoning, foresight, and personality.
Prefrontal area
This canal connects the third and fourth ventricles.
cerebral aqueduct
This type of neural circuit allows reflex information to go both to the effector and the brain.
diverging circuit
Your brain can only use this molecule as energy fuel, unlike other organs.
glucose
This large white-matter structure allows communication between the two hemispheres.
corpus callosum
This area of the premotor region plans the fine muscle movements required for speech.
Broca’s area
These structures act like “sewers,” draining CSF into the superior sagittal sinus.
arachnoid granulations
This example of a descending pathway involves two synapses and is used for voluntary skeletal movements.
lateral corticospinal tract