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Central Nervous System Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (21)

  • What is neurulation in CNS development?

    Neurulation is the process where ectodermal cells migrate to form the neural tube, starting just before 3 weeks after conception.

  • Name the three primary brain vesicles formed by week 4.

    The Prosencephalon (forebrain), Mesencephalon (midbrain), and Rhombencephalon (hindbrain).

  • What adult brain structures develop from the telencephalon?

    The cerebral hemispheres and the lateral ventricles.

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

    It is the primary motor area that initiates voluntary movement, organized as a motor homunculus.

  • What role does Broca's area play in the brain?

    Broca's area is the motor speech area important for producing spoken language.

  • What is the primary function of the postcentral gyrus in the parietal lobe?

    It is the primary somatosensory area receiving sensory input from the body.

  • Which lobe is primarily responsible for auditory processing and memory of sensory experiences?

    The temporal lobe, including the primary auditory area and Wernicke's area for language comprehension.

  • What is the main function of the occipital lobe?

    It is primarily concerned with vision, including visual association and image recognition.

  • What are the three types of white matter fibers in the brain?

    Commissural fibers connect hemispheres, association fibers connect areas within a hemisphere, and projection fibers connect cortex to spinal cord.

  • What is the basal ganglia and its general function?

    Paired masses of gray matter deep in the cerebrum involved in programmed motor movements and muscle control.

  • What is the thalamus' role in sensory processing?

    The thalamus acts as a relay center for all sensory input except olfactory before reaching the cortex.

  • List the four main functions of the hypothalamus (the 4 Fs).

    Feeding, Fighting, Fear, and Sex.

  • What is the function of the corpora quadrigemina in the midbrain?

    Superior colliculi control visual reflexes, and inferior colliculi control auditory reflexes.

  • How does the cerebellum contribute to motor control?

    It compares intended movement with actual movement using proprioceptive feedback and adjusts motor output accordingly.

  • What is the significance of the pyramidal decussation in the medulla?

    It is where corticospinal tracts cross over, causing contralateral control of voluntary movements.

  • Describe the arrangement of gray and white matter in the spinal cord.

    Gray matter is central and butterfly-shaped; white matter surrounds it, opposite to the brain.

  • What types of neurons are found in the anterior horn of the spinal cord?

    Somatic motor neurons that send axons to skeletal muscles.

  • What sensory information do the fasciculus cuneatus and gracilis carry?

    They carry fine touch, pressure, and conscious proprioception from upper and lower body parts respectively.

  • How do the lateral spinothalamic tracts differ from the dorsal column tracts in crossing over?

    Lateral spinothalamic tracts cross over immediately upon entering the spinal cord; dorsal columns cross over in the medulla.

  • What are the main functions of the meninges covering the CNS?

    They protect the brain and spinal cord and include the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

  • Where is cerebrospinal fluid produced and how does it circulate?

    Produced by ependymal cells in the choroid plexus of lateral ventricles; flows through ventricles, central canal, and subarachnoid space.