Basal nuclei (ganglia)
clusters of neuron cell bodies
regulate motor output and help inhibit unwanted movement
central sulcus
marks boundary between frontal and parietal lobes
cerebral cortex
external sheets of gray matter
cover surface of cerebrum
cerebral hemispheres
two halves; LR
receive sensory information and send motor commands
corpus callosum
connects hemispheres- main method of communication between hemispheres
fornix
thin tract of white matter that connects hippocampus with other diencephalon limbic system structures
carries signals from hippocampus to mammillary bodies- critical for normal cognitive functioning
frontal lobe
anterior part of cerebral hemisphere
higher intellectual functions; personality; verbal communication; voluntary motor control of skeletal muscles
gray matter
motor neurons and interneuron cell bodies, capillary beds, dendrites, unmyelinated axons
gyrus
bumps/hills- folds
increase surface area of cerebral cortex
insula
small lobe deep to lateral sulcus
interpretation of taste, memory
limbic system
composed of multiple cerebral and diencephalic structures that collectively process and experience emotions
emotional brain
longitudinal fissure
separates cerebral hemispheres; extends along midsagittal plane
occipital lobe
posterior region of hemispheres
conscious perception of visual stimuli; eye- focus movements; correlation of visuals with previous experiences
parietal lobe
superoposterior
sensory interpretation of texture and shape; understand speech and formulate words to express thoughts and emotions
postcentral gyrus
mass of nervous tissue immediately posterior to central sulcus
contains primary somatosensory cortex- touch, pressure, pain, temperature receptors
precentral gyrus
mass of nervous tissue immediately anterior to central sulcus
contains primary motor cortex- movement for skeleton, speech, eyes
sulcus
grooves/valleys/ shallow depressions between gyri
temporal lobe
inferior to lateral sulcus
interpretation and storage of auditory and olfactory sensations, understand speech
white matter
myelinated axons
contains tracts that allow for communication
hypothalamus
anteroinferior region
master control of ANS and endocrine system, regulation of body temperature, control of emotional behavior, control of food and water intake, regulation of circadian rhythm
intermediate mass of thalamus
interthalamic adhesion- small midline mass of gray matter that connects the right and left thalamic bodies
optic chiasma
LR optic nerves (CN II) unite and travel to optic tracts
pineal body (gland)
endocrine gland secretes hormone melatonin which appears to help regulate circadian rhythm
pituitary gland
regulates vital body functions- growth, blood pressure, metabolism, etc.
thalamus
paired oval masses of gray matter on both sides of third ventricle
principle and final relay point for incoming sensory information, processes and projects to primary somatosensory cortex
information filter of cerebrum- filters sights and sounds in busy coffee shop while studying
corpora quadrigemina (superior and inferior colliculus)
relay stations in processing pathway of visual and auditory sensations
superior- visual- eyes track moving object
inferior- auditory- sound localization
medulla oblongata
most caudal part and continuous with spinal cord
contains pyramids and autonomic nuclei
midbrain
superior portion; contains many structures
pons
bridge- bulging region on anterior part of brainstem
sensory and motor tracts connect brain to spinal cord
arbor vitae
internal white matter
tree life
cerebellar hemispheres
LR anterior and posterior lobes separated by a primary fissure
vermis
narrow band of cortex, lies along midline
receives sensory input reporting torso position and balance
commissural fibers
extend between cerebral hemispheres for communication
longitudinal/ projection fibers
link cerebral cortex to both inferior brain regions and spinal cord
association fibers
connect different regions of the cerebral cortex within same hemisphere
cerebellum
second largest part of brain
produces fine control over muscular actions and stores memories of movement
cerebrum
conscious thought processes and origin of all complex intellectual functions
olfactory bulb
contains synapses of CN I (olfactory)
spinal cord
extends inferiorly from brain
coming off spinal cord are rootlets that will form spinal nerves