Brain Structure

Study Notes

Cerebrum: largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres (left and right)
Cerebral cortex: outer layer of the cerebrum, responsible for processing sensory information
Basal ganglia: group of structures involved in movement and cognition
Thalamus: relays sensory information to the cortex
Hypothalamus: regulates body temperature, hunger, and thirst
Brainstem: connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord, responsible for controlling automatic functions (breathing, heart rate, etc.)

Motor control: cerebrum and basal ganglia work together to control voluntary movements
Sensory processing: cerebral cortex processes sensory information from the environment
Cognitive functions: cerebrum involved in attention, memory, language, and problem-solving
Regulation of bodily functions: hypothalamus and brainstem regulate body temperature, hunger, thirst, and other automatic functions
Emotional processing: limbic system (includes hippocampus, amygdala) involved in emotional responses and memory formation

Blood-brain barrier: specialized barrier that separates the brain from the bloodstream
Cerebral arteries: supply oxygenated blood to the brain
Cerebral veins: drain deoxygenated blood from the brain

Skull: bony structure that protects the brain
Meninges: protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
Cerebrospinal fluid: clear fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord, provides buoyancy and protection

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres (left and right)
The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the cerebrum, responsible for processing sensory information
The basal ganglia is a group of structures involved in movement and cognition
The thalamus relays sensory information to the cortex
The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, hunger, and thirst
The brainstem connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord, controlling automatic functions like breathing and heart rate

The cerebrum and basal ganglia work together to control voluntary movements
The cerebral cortex processes sensory information from the environment
The cerebrum is involved in attention, memory, language, and problem-solving
The hypothalamus and brainstem regulate body temperature, hunger, thirst, and other automatic functions
The limbic system (including the hippocampus and amygdala) is involved in emotional responses and memory formation

The blood-brain barrier separates the brain from the bloodstream
Cerebral arteries supply oxygenated blood to the brain
Cerebral veins drain deoxygenated blood from the brain
The skull is a bony structure that protects the brain
The meninges are protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
Cerebrospinal fluid cushions the brain and spinal cord, providing buoyancy and protection