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Brain and Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (31)

  • Major divisions of the brain
    Medulla oblongata, Pons, Mesencephalon (midbrain), Diencephalon, Cerebellum, and Cerebrum.
  • Functions of the cerebrum
    Responsible for conscious thought processes, intellectual functions, memory storage and processing, and regulation of skeletal muscle contractions.
  • Role of the thalamus
    Acts as a relay and processing center for sensory information before it reaches the cerebrum.
  • Functions of the hypothalamus
    Controls emotions, autonomic functions, and hormone production; links nervous and endocrine systems.
  • Functions of the mesencephalon (midbrain)
    Processes visual and auditory data, generates reflexive somatic motor responses, and maintains consciousness.
  • Functions of the cerebellum
    Coordinates complex somatic motor patterns and adjusts output of other motor centers to maintain balance and posture.
  • Functions of the pons
    Relays sensory information to the cerebellum and thalamus; contains somatic and visceral motor centers.
  • Functions of the medulla oblongata
    Relays sensory information to the thalamus and brainstem; contains autonomic centers regulating cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive activities.
  • Gray vs. white matter in the brainstem
    Gray matter is inner and surrounds ventricles; white matter is outer and consists of axon tracts.
  • Three layers of cranial meninges
    Dura mater (outer), arachnoid mater (middle), and pia mater (inner).
  • Dura mater structure
    Two fibrous layers: endosteal/periosteal (outer, fused to skull) and meningeal (inner), with dural sinuses between.
  • Meningeal folds and their locations
    Falx cerebri between hemispheres, tentorium cerebelli separates cerebrum and cerebellum, falx cerebelli divides cerebellar hemispheres, diaphragma sellae anchors dura to sphenoid.
  • Arachnoid mater features
    Delicate membrane between dura and pia mater; contains arachnoid granulations that allow CSF to enter venous circulation.
  • Pia mater characteristics
    Tightly adheres to brain surface and sulci; highly vascular and anchored by astrocytes.
  • Ventricles of the brain
    Four CSF-filled cavities: two lateral ventricles, third ventricle in diencephalon, and fourth ventricle between pons and cerebellum.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) functions
    Fills subarachnoid space, cushions brain, transports nutrients and waste, and is produced by the choroid plexus.
  • Choroid plexus role
    Specialized ependymal cells and fenestrated capillaries produce CSF by active and passive transport.
  • Blood-brain barrier (BBB) components
    Formed by tight junctions between endothelial cells, supported by astrocyte end-feet, controlling substance passage to neurons.
  • Medulla oblongata reflex centers
    Cardiovascular centers regulate heart rate and blood flow; respiratory rhythmicity centers set breathing rate.
  • Pons respiratory centers
    Pneumotaxic and apneustic centers modify respiratory output from the medulla oblongata.
  • Cranial nerves overview
    Twelve pairs numbered I to XII; sensory, motor, or both; originate from brain regions like medulla, pons, or mesencephalon.
  • Olfactory nerve (I) function and pathway
    Sensory nerve for smell; receptors in nasal epithelium send signals through cribriform plate to olfactory bulb.
  • Optic nerve (II) function and pathway
    Sensory nerve for vision; fibers cross at optic chiasm, then project to lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex.
  • Oculomotor (III) and Trochlear (IV) nerves
    Motor nerves controlling most eye muscles; originate in mesencephalon and pass through superior orbital fissure.
  • Trigeminal nerve (V) branches and functions
    Three branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, mandibular; sensory from face and motor for mastication muscles.
  • Facial nerve (VII) functions
    Sensory for taste and proprioception; motor for facial expression, tear, and salivary glands.
  • Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) functions
    Special sensory for balance (vestibular branch) and hearing (cochlear branch).
  • Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) functions
    Sensory for taste; motor for swallowing muscles and salivary glands; passes through jugular foramen.
  • Vagus nerve (X) functions
    Extensive sensory and motor functions primarily for visceral organs, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive systems.
  • Accessory nerve (XI) functions
    Motor nerve controlling muscles of palate, pharynx, larynx, sternocleidomastoid, and trapezius.
  • Hypoglossal nerve (XII) functions
    Motor nerve controlling voluntary tongue movements; originates in medulla oblongata.