 | Term | Definition |
| |
Optic chiasma |
location where half of the information received from each eye crosses over to the opposite side of the cerebrum; depth perception |
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Circle of Willis |
a circular bed of arteries on the ventral side of the brain that provides oxygen-rich blood to the white matter and surrounding parts |
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Mammillary body |
reflex center involved with the sense of smell and memory |
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Pituitary gland (hypophysis) |
endocrine gland that secretes growth hormone and regulates other endocrine glands throughout the body |
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Infundibulum |
small funnel-like stalk that connects the pituitary to the brain and is the passage through which pituitary hormones are delivered to deeper parts of brain |
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Lateral Ventricles |
1st anterior, 2nd posterior. chambers within the cerebrum that help to circulate cerebrospinal fluid and act as an internal shock absorber for the brain |
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Corpus callosum |
arched- bridge of white matter that connects the two sides of the cerebrum allowing communication |
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Fornix |
white matter "floor" of lateral ventricles; involved with memory center |
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Pineal gland |
endocrine gland that secretes the hormone melatonin that play a role in sleep, aging and reproduction |
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Inferior colliculus |
white matter center for certain auditory reflexes like turing your head to hear sounds |
| |
Superior colliculus |
white matter center for certain visual reflexes, like moving eyes |
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Transverse fissure |
large crevice that separates the cerebellum from cerebrum |
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Arbor vitae |
"tree of life" white matter of the cerebellum |
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Thalamus |
a large mass of gray matter that acts as a relay center through which all sensory information(except smell) passes on way to cerebrum |
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Hypothalamus |
region directly below the thalamus that regulates body temperature, hunger, thrist, and other autonomic control systems |
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Aqueduct |
channel or passage through which cerebrospinal fluid is transferred from the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle and then to the spinal chord |
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Fourth ventricle |
circulates cerebrospinal fluid through the interior of the cerebellum |
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Cerebrum |
largest portion of brain divided into 4 lobes |
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Frontal lobes |
control motor functions |
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Parietal lobes |
control body orientation and pain sensation |
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Temporal lobes |
control hearing, memory, and speech |
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Occipital lobes |
control vision and color recognition |
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Convolutions |
wrinkles that increase surface area |
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Gyri |
elevated ridges |
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Sulci |
narrow fissures separating gyri |
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Fissures |
deep, narrow grooves or cracks that separate the right and left hemispheres of the cerebrum and separate cerebrum from cerebellum |
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Transverse |
separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum |
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Sagittal (longitudinal) |
separates the right and left hemispheres of the cerebrum |
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Cerebellum |
little brain that is connected to cerebral cortex, regulating coordination of complex voluntary muscles |
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Medulla oblongata |
lowest portion of brainstem; controls autonomic, vital life functions |
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Pons |
connects the medulla oblongata to cerebellum where cranial nerves run through, assists medulla |
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Spinal chord |
provides avenues of communication between CNS and PNS |
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Meninges |
series of 3 layers of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal chord, spinal fluid circulates between layers for additional protection |
