Neuroscience Chapter: Brain Anatomy Quiz

Brain Structure and Function

• The cerebrum is the largest, most developed part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres.
• The left hemisphere controls language production, while the right hemisphere handles abstract reasoning.
• The diencephalon acts as a relay center for information, processing, and transmitting signals.
• The cerebellum coordinates movement, balance, and unconscious bodily functions.
• The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord, controlling essential functions like heart rate and respiration.

Gray and White Matter

• Gray matter contains unmyelinated axons, cell bodies, and synapses, where information processing occurs.
• Basal nuclei are clusters of gray matter deep within the white matter that help control movement.
• The cortex is the outermost layer of gray matter, critical for complex cognitive functions.
• White matter consists of myelinated axons, forming tracts that connect different brain regions.
• The corpus callosum is a major tract connecting the left and right hemispheres.
• Projection fibers connect different brain levels, while association fibers connect areas within the same hemisphere.

Anatomical Features of the Brain

• Sulci are grooves or depressions in the brain.
• Gyri are folds or ridges in the brain.
• The central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes.
• The precentral gyrus is involved in voluntary movement.
• The postcentral gyrus processes sensory information.
• Fissures are large grooves that divide different lobes. The longitudinal and lateral fissures are significant in this process.

Cerebral Lobes

• Frontal lobe: voluntary movement, cognitive functions, and personality.
• Parietal lobe: sensory processing, spatial awareness.
• Temporal lobe: hearing, smell and language.
• Occipital lobe: vision.
• Insula: receives taste

Cranial Meninges

• Dura mater: outermost layer of dense fibrous connective tissue.
• Arachnoid mater: thin, web-like middle layer, beneath the dura mater.
• Pia mater: innermost layer, adhering closely to the brain's surface.
• The subarachnoid space, located between the arachnoid and pia mater, is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

• CSF fills the ventricles and subarachnoid space.
• CSF provides buoyancy, protection, and nourishment for the brain.
• CSF is produced by the choroid plexus within the ventricles
• CSF is reabsorbed into the bloodstream through arachnoid granulations.

Blood-Brain Barrier

• The blood-brain barrier restricts the passage of certain substances from the blood into the brain.
• Astrocytes play a key role in maintaining this barrier.

Primary Motor Area

• Located in the precentral gyrus, crucial for initiating voluntary movements.

Sensory Cortices

• Primary somatosensory cortex: receives information from somatic senses.
• Primary visual cortex: receives visual information.
• Primary auditory cortex: receives auditory information.
• Gustatory cortex: processes taste.
• Olfactory cortex: processes smell.

Association Areas

• Premotor cortex: plans and coordinates movements.
• Somatosensory association cortex: interprets sensory information.
• Broca's area: involved in speech production.
• Wernicke's area: involved in language comprehension.
• Prefrontal cortex: involved in higher-level cognitive functions.
• Visual association areas: interprets visual input.

Limbic System

• Fornix: output tracts for the limbic system.
• Limbic lobe: involved in memory formation.
• Hippocampus: crucial for memory processing.
• Amygdala: associated with emotions.

Diencephalon (Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Epithalamus)

• Thalamus: relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex.
• Hypothalamus: regulates autonomic functions and hormones.
• Epithalamus: part of the sleep-wake cycle, includes the pineal gland.

Cranial Nerves

• Cranial nerves are pairs of nerves originating from the brain and brainstem.
• They control sensory functions and/or movement of specific parts of the body.

Cerebellum

• Cerebellum: aids in fine-tuning motor movements and maintaining balance.
• Arbor vitae: white matter branching patterns in the cerebellum
• Folia: folds or ridges on the outer surface of the cerebellum