NCM 101 Health Assessment - Neurologic System Anatomy: Cerebrum

Diencephalon

• Lies beneath the cerebral hemispheres and consists of the thalamus and hypothalamus.
• Thalamus: responsible for screening and directing sensory impulses to specific areas in the cerebral cortex.
• Hypothalamus: part of the autonomic nervous system, regulates body functions, including:
  • Water balance
  • Appetite
  • Vital signs
  • Sleep cycles
  • Pain perception
  • Emotional status

Brain Stem

• Located between the cerebral cortex and the spinal cord.
• Consists of mostly nerve fibers and has three parts:
  • Midbrain: serves as a relay center for ear and eye reflexes.
  • Pons: links the cerebellum to the cerebrum and the midbrain to the medulla.
  • Medulla oblongata: contains the nuclei for cranial nerves, regulates:
    • Respiratory function
    • Heart rate and force
    • Blood pressure

Spinal Cord

• Located in the vertebral canal and extends from the medulla oblongata to the first lumbar vertebra.
• Inner part of the cord has an H-shaped appearance and is made up of two pairs of columns (dorsal and ventral) consisting of gray matter.

Cerebrum

• Divided into the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
• Hemispheres are joined by the corpus callosum, responsible for communication between the hemispheres.
• Consists of aggregations of neuronal cell bodies, gray matter rims the surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres, forming the cerebral cortex.

Lobes of the Brain

• Four lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.
• Frontal lobe: directs voluntary, skeletal actions, influences communication, judgments, and behavior.
• Parietal lobe: interprets tactile sensations, including touch, pain, temperature, shapes, and two-point discrimination.
• Temporal lobe: receives and interprets impulses from the ear, responsible for interpreting auditory stimuli.
• Occipital lobe: influences the ability to read with understanding and is the primary visual receptor center.

Cerebellum

• Located behind the brain stem, has two hemispheres.
• Primary functions include:
  • Coordination and smoothing of voluntary movements
  • Maintenance of equilibrium
  • Maintenance of muscle tone

Assessment of Cranial Nerves

• I (olfactory nerve): assess olfactory function by asking the client to identify scented objects.
• II (optic nerve): assess vision using a Snellen chart, near vision, and visual fields.
• III (oculomotor), IV (trochlear), and VI (abducens): assess extraocular movements, pupillary response to light, and accommodation.
• V (trigeminal): assess motor function, sensory function, and facial sensations.

This quiz covers the anatomy of the cerebrum, focusing on the division into right and left cerebral hemispheres, the corpus callosum, gray matter, and the four lobes of the brain with a special emphasis on the frontal lobe.