Brain Anatomy Flashcards

Cerebrum: Largest part of the brain, involved in higher brain functions such as thought and action.
Cerebral Cortex: Outer layer of the cerebrum, responsible for complex cognitive processes, sensory perception, and motor function execution.
Cerebellum: Located at the back of the brain, it coordinates voluntary movements and balance.
Brainstem: Composed of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata, it controls basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Longitudinal Fissure: Deep groove dividing the left and right hemispheres of the cerebrum.
Central Sulcus: Major landmark separating the frontal and parietal lobes, involved in motor and sensory processing.
Frontal Lobe: Associated with reasoning, planning, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
Parietal Lobe: Processes sensory information related to touch, temperature, pain, and spatial awareness.

Precentral Gyrus: Located in the frontal lobe, responsible for voluntary motor control.
Postcentral Gyrus: Located in the parietal lobe, processes somatosensory information.

Corpus Callosum: Band of neural fibers connecting the left and right hemispheres, facilitating interhemispheric communication.
Thalamus: Acts as a relay station for sensory information to the cerebral cortex.
Hypothalamus: Regulates autonomic functions, such as temperature, hunger, and thirst.

Pituitary Gland: The "master gland" that controls other endocrine glands.
Adenohypophysis: Anterior lobe of the pituitary, involved in hormone secretion.
Neurohypophysis: Posterior lobe of the pituitary, releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus.

Optic Chiasm: Point where optic nerves cross, allowing for visual field integration.

Midbrain: Involved in vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake cycles, and temperature regulation.
Cerebral Peduncle: Structure containing nerve tracts connecting the forebrain to the hindbrain.
Corpora Quadrigemina: Contains superior and inferior colliculus, which are involved in vision and auditory reflexes.
- Superior Colliculus: Responsible for visual processing and eye movement.
- Inferior Colliculus: Involved in auditory processing.

Lateral Ventricles: Two large cavities in the cerebral hemispheres containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Third Ventricle: Located between the thalami, part of the ventricular system.
Cerebral Aqueduct: Channel connecting the third and fourth ventricles.
Fourth Ventricle: Located between the brainstem and cerebellum, also contains CSF.
Central Canal: Small channel running through the spinal cord, filled with CSF.

Cerebrospinal Fluid: Provides cushioning, buoyancy, and nutrient distribution for the central nervous system.
Choroid Plexus: Tissue producing CSF within the ventricles.

Basilar Artery: Major artery supplying blood to the brain, formed by the fusion of the vertebral arteries.
Internal Carotid Artery: Supplies blood to the anterior and middle parts of the brain.
Circle of Willis: An arterial circle at the base of the brain providing collateral circulation.
Anterior Cerebral Artery: Supplies the medial portions of the frontal lobes and superior medial parietal lobes.
Middle Cerebral Artery: Supplies the lateral aspects of the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes.
Posterior Cerebral Artery: Supplies the occipital lobe and the inferior part of the temporal lobe.

Superior Sagittal Sinus: A large venous sinus that drains blood from the brain.
Transverse Sinus: Drains blood from the superior sagittal sinus to the sigmoid sinus.
Sigmoid Sinus: Carries blood from the transverse sinus to the internal jugular vein.
Internal Jugular Vein: Major vein draining blood from the brain back to the heart.

Dura Mater: The outermost tough layer of the meninges surrounding the brain.
Tentorium Cerebelli: fold of dura mater separating the cerebrum and cerebellum.
Arachnoid Mater: Middle layer of the meninges, web-like structure.
Pia Mater: Innermost layer of the meninges, closely adheres to the brain’s surface.

Epidural Space: Potential space between the skull and dura mater, often site for anesthetic injections.
Subdural Space: Space between the dura mater and arachnoid mater, can fill with fluid or blood in certain conditions.
Subarachnoid Space: Space containing CSF, between the arachnoid mater and pia mater, crucial for cushioning the brain.