Neuroscience Chapter 12 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Which ventricle is surrounded by the diencephalon?

The third ventricle

The innermost layer of the meninges, delicate and adjacent to the brain tissue, is the?

Pia mater

Cerebrospinal fluid is formed by?

Choroid plexuses

Which two areas of the adult brain have an outside layer of gray matter in addition to central gray matter and surrounding white matter?

The cerebral hemispheres and the cerebellum Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of convolutions of the brain?

Convolutions increase surface area of the cortex, allowing more neurons to occupy limited space. Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical landmark of the cerebral cortex separates primary motor areas from somatosensory areas?

The central sulcus Signup and view all the answers

What does the statement 'only left-handed people are in their right minds' mean?

Motor functions on the left side of the body are controlled by the right hemisphere. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fiber allows the two cerebral hemispheres to 'talk' to each other?

Commissural fibers Signup and view all the answers

Name the components of the basal nuclei.

The caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus Signup and view all the answers

Why is the thalamus called the 'gateway to the cerebral cortex'?

Virtually all inputs ascending to the cerebral cortex synapse in the thalamus. Signup and view all the answers

The hypothalamus oversees a branch of the peripheral nervous system. Which branch?

The autonomic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What are the pyramids of the medulla?

The corticospinal (pyramidal) tracts descending from the motor cortex. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe?

Motor functions Signup and view all the answers

The cerebral white matter is responsible for?

Communication between cerebral areas and between the cerebral cortex and lower CNS centers. Signup and view all the answers

All of the structures of the CNS originate from the?

Neural tube Signup and view all the answers

What are projection fibers?

They enter the cerebral hemispheres from lower brain or cord centers. Signup and view all the answers

What does the occipital lobe primarily deal with?

Visual sensation Signup and view all the answers

What is a sulcus?

Furrows Signup and view all the answers

The average weight of the adult brain is?

3 to 3.5 lbs Signup and view all the answers

What is white matter?

Groups of axons in the CNS Signup and view all the answers

Blockages of the interventricular foramen might lead to increased cerebrospinal fluid in which ventricle(s)?

Lateral ventricles Signup and view all the answers

The cerebral cortex is composed of?

White matter Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the cerebral cortex?

Its convoluted surface triples its surface area. Signup and view all the answers

Lateralization is important in health as it predicts how an injury may affect behavior. Which is a common example of anatomical variability in lateralization?

Right-cerebral-dominant individuals tend to be left-handed and male. Signup and view all the answers

Aqueductal stenosis prevents the flow of cerebrospinal fluid between which ventricles?

The third ventricle and fourth ventricle Signup and view all the answers

What is the cerebral cortex known as?

The 'executive suite' of the nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

What is a function of the midbrain?

Controls visual reflexes that coordinate head and eye movements. Signup and view all the answers

What is a ventricle?

Hollow space filled with fluid inside the CNS tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe?

Sensory functions Signup and view all the answers

What is lateralization?

A division of labor in which each cerebral hemisphere has unique abilities. Signup and view all the answers

What is gray matter composed of?

Neuron cell bodies Signup and view all the answers

What can cause a contrecoup injury in the brain?

A traumatic blow to one side of the head. Signup and view all the answers

In cases of ependymal cells' cancer (ependymoma), which area of the brain might be affected?

Fourth ventricle Signup and view all the answers

What is a gyrus?

Ridges Signup and view all the answers

Which landmark separates the cerebral hemispheres?

The longitudinal fissure Signup and view all the answers

What do commissural fibers do?

Connect corresponding gray areas of the two hemispheres. Signup and view all the answers

What do association fibers connect?

Different parts of the same hemisphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the basal ganglia (nuclei)?

Starting, stopping, and monitoring arm swinging and gait Signup and view all the answers

What do multimodal association areas include?

Prefrontal cortex, posterior association areas, and limbic association area Signup and view all the answers

In which area does sorting and editing of sensory impulses take place?

Thalamic nuclei Signup and view all the answers

In which part of the cerebral cortex do sensations, emotions, and thoughts come together?

The multimodal association areas Signup and view all the answers

What are the basal nuclei important for?

Starting, stopping, and monitoring the intensity of movements Signup and view all the answers

Which behaviors may be lessened in children and young adults due to the delay in development of the anterior association area?

Multi-tasking Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain produces dopamine?

Substantia nigra Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the gustatory cortex?

Involved in the perception of taste stimuli Signup and view all the answers

The visceral sensory area of the cerebral cortex is responsible for perceiving all of the following?

Upset stomach, full bladder, the feeling that your lungs will burst when you hold your breath Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Broca's area?

Speech Signup and view all the answers

What does the reticular formation do?

Keeps the cerebral cortex alert and conscious Signup and view all the answers

What areas are important for relaying information from the motor cortex to skeletal muscles?

Fibers of the pyramidal tract Signup and view all the answers

What functions are associated with the midbrain?

Fear perception, pain suppression, visual reflexes Signup and view all the answers

What allows individuals with damage to vision in the visual cortex to still reflexively follow a laser light?

The superior colliculi Signup and view all the answers

If deafness is caused by a lesion in the auditory cortex, what structure may beginle a person due to loud noises?

The inferior colliculi Signup and view all the answers

What is the epithalamus associated with?

The pineal gland; secretes melatonin to induce sleep Signup and view all the answers

What functions does the hypothalamus regulate?

Body temperature, food intake, and endocrine functions Signup and view all the answers

What area is a relay nucleus in some descending motor pathways that cause limb flexion?

Red nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the medulla oblongata?

An autonomic reflex center involved in maintaining body homeostasis Signup and view all the answers

Which region acts as an autonomic reflex center of the brain?

Medulla oblongata Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pons?

The pons helps maintain the normal rhythm of breathing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the thalamus?

Sorts and 'edits' information from sensory areas ascending to the cerebral cortex Signup and view all the answers

What could happen if cerebrospinal fluid is depleted?

The pituitary may be damaged, affecting water balance. Signup and view all the answers

What functions are associated with the pons?

Regulating the pattern of breathing and serving as a pathway between the cerebellum and motor cortex Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Provides precise timing and appropriate patterns of skeletal muscle contraction. Signup and view all the answers

Which areas have been implicated in Parkinson's disease?

Substantia nigra Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of the hypothalamus?

Control the autonomic nervous system, regulate body temperature, food intake, and thirst. Signup and view all the answers

What is the major role of the thalamus?

Sort out and edit incoming information Signup and view all the answers

What area must be affected if a boy loses his sense of thirst?

The hypothalamus Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is most involved in maintaining the body's homeostasis?

Hypothalamus Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ventricles and Meninges

The third ventricle is completely surrounded by the diencephalon.
Pia mater is the innermost layer of the meninges and is delicate, closely adjacent to brain tissue.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced by choroid plexuses.

Brain Structure and Function

The cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum have an outer layer of gray matter along with central gray matter and surrounding white matter.
Brain convolutions (gyri) enhance the surface area of the cortex, accommodating more neurons within the confined space of the skull.
Central sulcus serves as the key anatomical landmark separating primary motor areas from somatosensory areas.

Lateralization and Brain Hemispheres

In left-handed individuals, motor functions on the left side are governed by the right hemisphere, due to crossover in the medulla oblongata.
Commissural fibers, including the corpus callosum, connect the two cerebral hemispheres, facilitating communication between them.

Basal Nuclei and Thalamus

The components of basal nuclei consist of the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus, crucial for motor control.
The thalamus acts as the "gateway" to the cerebral cortex, receiving nearly all sensory inputs before they reach the cortex.

Autonomic Nervous System and Brainstem Functions

The hypothalamus regulates the autonomic nervous system, influencing various involuntary physiological activities.
Medulla oblongata contains pyramidal tracts (corticospinal tracts), whose pyramids influence voluntary motor control and undergo decussation, leading to contralateral motor function.
The medulla oblongata is also essential for maintaining homeostasis through its autonomic reflex centers.

Cerebral Cortex and Sensory Functions

Cerebral cortex, the brain's "executive suite," accounts for 40% of brain mass and has layered convolutions for processing sensory input, coordination of voluntary movements, and cognitive functions.
Gustatory cortex is responsible for taste perception, while postcentral gyrus handles sensory functions.
Broca’s area is crucial for speech production.

Midbrain and Other Structures

Midbrain controls visual reflexes, coordinating head and eye movements in response to moving stimuli.
Superior colliculi facilitate reflexive responses to visual stimuli, while inferior colliculi react to auditory inputs.
Epithalamus includes the pineal gland, which secretes melatonin to support sleep.

Homeostasis and Behavioral Effects

The hypothalamus is central to maintaining homeostasis, regulating body temperature, food intake, and water balance.
Damage to the hypothalamus can lead to a loss of thirst sensation, while functions of the pons include aiding respiratory rhythm and serving as a communication pathway in the CNS.

Neurological Conditions and Variability

Lateralization indicates that each hemisphere has unique capabilities not shared with the other, affecting behaviors such as language and logical thinking.
Variability in lateralization can lead to right-cerebral-dominant individuals often being left-handed.
Parkinson’s disease is linked to dysfunctions in the substantia nigra, impacting motor functions.

Important Anatomical Features

Aqueductal stenosis can block CSF flow between the third and fourth ventricles, leading to increased pressure in lateral ventricles.
Projection fibers facilitate communication between the cortex and lower CNS regions, while association fibers connect different areas within the same hemisphere.

This summary encapsulates the essential concepts, structures, and functions related to the brain's organization and its role in maintaining bodily functions and processing sensory information.

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Test your knowledge with this set of flashcards covering key concepts from Chapter 12 of neuroscience studies. Focus on brain anatomy, including the ventricles and meninges. Ideal for students looking to reinforce their understanding of cerebrospinal fluid and brain structure.