Human Anatomy Lab 1: Nervous System

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the temporal lobe?

Involved in attention, reward, short-term memory, motivation, and planning

Visual processing region of the brain

Processing sensory input and assigning it emotional meaning (correct)

Integrating sensory information including touch, spatial awareness, and navigation

What is the middle layer of the meninges?

Cerebral Ventricular System

Arachnoid Mater (correct)

Pia Mater

Dura Mater

What is the region where the spinal cord terminates in adults?

Thoracic region

Sacral region

Cervical region

Lumbar region (correct)

What is the primary function of the spinal nerves?

Sending motor, sensory, and autonomic signals Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the occipital lobe?

Visual processing region of the brain Signup and view all the answers

How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

12 pairs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following systems is responsible for transmitting sensory information to the central nervous system?

Somatic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the opening through which the meninges of the brain and spinal cord are continuous?

Foramen magnum Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

To calm the body to conserve and maintain energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the frontal lobe?

Involved in attention, reward, short-term memory, motivation, and planning Signup and view all the answers

Which brain region is responsible for comparing information from the cerebrum with sensory feedback from the periphery?

Cerebellum Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the corpus callosum?

To facilitate communication between the two hemispheres Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of the brain stem?

Cerebrum Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the sympathetic nervous system?

To arouse the body to expend energy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is responsible for coordinating sensory representations of the visual, auditory, and somatosensory perceptual spaces?

Midbrain Signup and view all the answers

What is the connection between the cerebrum and the rest of the nervous system?

Diencephalon Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nervous System

The nervous system consists of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system.
The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
The brain is divided into four main regions: cerebrum, diencephalon, brain stem, and cerebellum.

Brain Regions

Cerebrum: the largest part of the brain, responsible for voluntary movements, sensory perception, and higher-level thinking.
- Consists of two hemispheres (left and right) connected by the corpus callosum.
- Has a wrinkled surface with gyrus (convolutions) and sulcus (grooves).
Diencephalon: connects the cerebrum to the rest of the nervous system.
Brain Stem: connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord.
- Divided into midbrain, pons, and medulla.
- Regulates essential functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
Cerebellum: compares information from the cerebrum with sensory feedback from the periphery.

Brain Lobes

The brain is divided into four lobes: temporal, occipital, parietal, and frontal.
Temporal Lobe: processes sensory input, assigns emotional meaning, and involves long-term memories and language perception.
Occipital Lobe: responsible for visual processing.
Parietal Lobe: integrates sensory information, including touch and spatial awareness.
Frontal Lobe: involved in attention, reward, short-term memory, motivation, and planning.

Meninges

The meninges are three layers of protective tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
The meninges are continuous, connected through the magnum foramen.
The three layers are: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Cerebral Ventricular System

The cerebral ventricular system consists of four ventricles that produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid.
The ventricles are: two lateral ventricles, third ventricle, and fourth ventricle.

Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is a cylindrical structure of nervous tissue composed of white and gray matter.
It extends from the brainstem to the lower back through the vertebral foramen of the vertebrae.
In adults, the spinal cord terminates in the lumbar region at L1-L2, the conus medullaris.

Spinal Nerves

Spinal nerves are bundles of nerve fibers connected to the spinal cord.
They carry information to and away from the spinal cord, supplying all areas of the body except the head and neck region.
Spinal nerves are mixed nerves, sending motor, sensory, and autonomic signals.

Cranial Nerves

Cranial nerves are 12 pairs of nerves that arise directly from the brain.
They pass through holes in the skull, collecting and sending information between the brain and the rest of the body.