Neuroscience: Brain Structures and Functions

Study Notes

Gray and White Matter Locations

Gray matter is found in horns, nuclei within the brain, and the outer cortex of the cerebrum and cerebellum.
White matter is located in columns, beneath the cortex, and includes the corpus callosum.

Basal Nuclei

Structures: Caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus.
- Lentiform nucleus is composed of the globus pallidus and putamen.
- Corpus striatum includes the caudate nucleus and lentiform nucleus.
Function: Involved in semivoluntary movements like arm swinging during walking.

Sleep Stages and Brain Waves

Stage 1 NREM: Alpha waves.
Stage 2 NREM: Irregular brain waves.
Stage 3 NREM: Theta and delta waves.
Stage 4 NREM: Primarily delta waves.
REM: Characterized by skeletal muscle paralysis.

Cerebrum Lobes and Functions

Gustatory Cortex: Insula, responsible for taste perception.
Olfactory Cortex: Temporal and frontal lobes, involved in smell perception.
Primary Auditory Cortex: Temporal lobe, processes sound (volume and pitch).
Primary Somatosensory Cortex: Postcentral gyrus, detects touch, temperature, and spatial awareness.
Primary Visual Cortex: Occipital lobe, involved in interpreting light, color, shape, and movement.
Vestibular Cortex: Insula, related to balance and equilibrium.
Visceral Sensory Area: Insula, senses from internal organs.
Auditory Association Area: Temporal lobes, interprets sounds.
Somatosensory Association Area: Postcentral gyrus, interprets touch and textures.
Visual Association Area: Occipital lobe, interprets visual stimuli.
Premotor Cortex: Frontal lobe, involved in muscle memory.
Primary Motor Cortex: Precentral gyrus, controls voluntary movements.
Broca's Area: Left frontal lobe, speech (muscle movements).
Wernicke's Area: Parietal and temporal lobes (left), processes visual and auditory stimuli.
Prefrontal Cortex: Frontal lobe, higher-level thinking.

Diencephalon

Epithalamus: Houses the pineal body, regulating melatonin production (important for sleep-wake cycles and seasonal affective disorder).
Thalamus: Plays a key role in sensory relay, with the intermediate mass being a central feature.
Hypothalamus: Controls the autonomic nervous system, influences the limbic system and endocrine system, and also plays a significant role in regulating behaviors like eating, drinking, temperature regulation, and monitoring the circadian rhythm.
Mammillary Bodies: Involved in memory.

Brainstem

Midbrain (Mesencephalon):
- Cerebral peduncles: important pathways.
- Superior colliculi: visual reflexes.
- Inferior colliculi: auditory reflexes.
- Substantia nigra: Crucial for dopamine production, plays a role in movement disorders.
- Red nucleus: involved in motor control.
Pons: Contains centers for salivation and respiration.
Medulla Oblongata: Contains crucial centers for cardiovascular, respiratory, swallowing, and emetic (vomiting) functions.
- Decussation (crossing over) occurs in the medulla.

Cerebellum

Coordination of movement.

Brain Ventricles

Fluid-filled spaces within the brain.

Functional Systems

Reticular Formation: Maintaining consciousness.
Limbic System: Regulates emotions, memory, and motivation.
- Included structures include amygdala, cingulate gyrus, fornix, and hippocampus.

Description

Explore the complex organization of gray and white matter in the brain, as well as the roles of the basal nuclei in movement. This quiz also covers various sleep stages, associated brain waves, and the functions of different cerebrum lobes. Test your knowledge on these crucial aspects of neuroscience.