Anatomy of the Brain Quiz

Brain Structure and Regions

• The brain is divided into 3 main parts: cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, and brain stem
• Cerebral hemispheres are divided into 4 lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital
• Each lobe is responsible for different functions:
  • Frontal lobe: motor activity, personality, and speech
  • Parietal lobe: language, temperature, pressure, and touch
  • Temporal lobe: hearing, smell, and language input
  • Occipital lobe: vision

Central Sulcus and Fissure

• Central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes
• Longitudinal fissure divides the cerebral hemispheres into right and left sides
• Lateral sulcus separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes
• Parieto-occipital sulcus divides the occipital and parietal lobes

Cerebral Hemispheres

• The cerebrum is divided into the left and right hemispheres
• The left hemisphere is dominant in most individuals, controlling speech, writing, reading, verbal skills, and analytical skills
• The right hemisphere is responsible for nonverbal tasks, motor tasks, and understanding musical and visual patterns

Diencephalon

• The diencephalon is divided into 3 parts: thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus
• Thalamus: relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex and acts as a sensory relay station
• Hypothalamus: regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sleep, and maintains homeostasis
• Epithalamus: forms the roof of the third ventricle and houses the pineal body, which produces melatonin

Brainstem

• The brainstem is divided into 3 parts: midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata
• Midbrain: contains bundles of fibers that connect the lower parts of the brainstem and spinal cord with the higher part of the brain
• Pons: helps regulate breathing and relays nerve impulses
• Medulla oblongata: conducts ascending and descending impulses between the brain and spinal cord, and contains cardiac, vasomotor, and respiratory control centers

Cerebellum

• The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating muscle movements and maintaining posture
• It is located at the base of the brain and is divided into two hemispheres

Cerebrospinal Fluid

• CSF is a clear fluid that circulates in the ventricles, central canal of the spinal cord, and the subarachnoid space
• It is produced by the choroid plexuses and is secreted into the ventricles
• CSF cushions the brain and spinal cord, and helps maintain stable ion concentrations in the CNS

Hydrocephalus

• Hydrocephalus is a condition where there is excess CSF in the brain, leading to increased pressure on the brain tissue
• It can be caused by blockages in the flow of CSF, or by an overproduction of CSF

Blood-Brain Barrier

• The blood-brain barrier is a specialized barrier that separates the brain from the blood
• It is formed by tight junctions between endothelial cells of brain capillaries
• It is highly selective and allows only certain substances to pass through, while excluding others

Sleep

• There are two types of sleep: slow wave sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
• During slow wave sleep, the brain waves slow down, and the body becomes less responsive to stimuli
• During REM sleep, the brain is active, and dreams occur