Brain structures and functions

Question 1

cerebral cortex

Answer 1

• motor, sensory and association areas
• all neurons in cortex are interneurons and not to be confused with sensory and motor neurons
• two hemispheres

Question 2

fissure

Answer 2

deep groove

Question 3

gyri

Answer 3

folds

Question 4

sulci

Answer 4

depressions separating gyri

Question 5

What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 5

• relay and processing center for information

- information is sorted and edited

Question 6

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Answer 6

• hormones

- homeostasis

Question 7

What is the function of the midbrain?

Answer 7

• conduction between higher brain centers and spinal cord
• regulates visual reflexes
• controls alertness

Question 8

What is the function of the pons?

Answer 8

–conduction between higher brain centers and spinal cord-assist medulla in breathing
-reticular formation
-Cranial nerves:V-VII
trigeminal & facial

Question 9

What is function of medulla oblongata?

Answer 9

• conduction between higher brain centers and spinal cord
• sensory nuclei controlling skin and proprioceptors
• major (motor) center controlling autonomic functions: heart rate, resp rate, blood vessel diameter etc.
• Cranial nerves VII-XII

Question 10

What is function of cerebellum?

Answer 10

• process information from cerebral motor cortex and vision and equilibrium pathways
• motor control and coordination
• muscle memory

Question 11

limbic system components

Answer 11

hypothalamus, mammillary bodies. hippocampus, fornix, amygdaloid body

Question 12

amygdaloid body

Answer 12

• heart rate in fight or flight response

- linking emotions with memories

Question 13

hippocampus

Answer 13

• learning

- retrieval of long-term memories

Question 14

basal nuclei

Answer 14

• caudate and lentiform nucleus
• gray matter
• subconscious control of skeletal muscle toon
• coordinate learned movement patterns
• povide general pattern and rythym for movements of trunk and limbs
  (example: swinging arms when walking or unconsciously stabilizing arm when picking up pencil)

Question 15

superior colliculi (corpora quadrigemina)

Answer 15

• located at root of midbrain
• receives visual inputs from thalamus
• in response to visual stimuli: controls reflex movements of the eyes, head, and neck

Question 16

inferior colliculi (corpora quadrigemina)

Answer 16

• located at root of midbrain
• receives auditory input from medulla and pons
• in response to auditory stimuli: controls reflex movements of head, neck and trunk

Question 17

What is the basic function(s) of the frontal lobe?

Answer 17

• executive function
• motor function, problem solving, spontaneity, memory, language, initiation, judgement, impulse control, and social and sexual behavior

Question 18

What is the basic function(s) of the parietal lobe?

Answer 18

• touch

- integrates sensory info

Question 19

What is the basic function(s) of the temporal lobe?

Answer 19

-high level auditory processing

Question 20

What is the basic function(s) of the occipital lobe?

Answer 20

-vision center

Question 21

What structures make up the brainstem?

Answer 21

• medulla oblongata
• pons
• midbrain

Question 22

What structures make up the hindbrain?

Answer 22

• medulla oblongata
• cerebellum
• pons

Question 23

What structures make up the forebrain?

Answer 23

• cerebrum

- diencephalon

Question 24

What is included in the midbrain?

Answer 24

• cerebral aqueduct

- quadragemini (superior & inferior colliculus)