 | Term | Definition |
| |
Optic Chiasm |
Location where half of the information received from each eye crosses over to the opposite side of the cerebrum; allows for depth perception |
| |
Circle of Willis |
Circular bed of arteries on the ventral side of the brain that provides oxygen-rich blood to the white matter and surrounding parts of the brain |
| |
Mammillary Body |
Reflex center involved with the sense of smell and memory |
| |
Pituitary Gland (Hypophysis) |
Endocrine gland that secretes growth hormone and regulates other endocrine glands throughout the body |
| |
Infundibulum |
Small funnel-like stalk that connects the pituitary to the brain and is the passage through which pituitary hormones are delivered to the deeper parts of the brain |
| |
Lateral Ventricles |
Large chambers within cerebrum that help circulate cerbrospinal fluid and act as internal schock absorber for brain |
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Corpus Callosum |
Arched bridge of white matter that connects the two cerebral hemispheres, allowing communication between the right and left sides of the brain; the "roof" of the lateral ventricles |
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Fornix |
White matter "floor" of the lateral ventricles; involved with brain's memory center |
| |
Pineal Gland (body) |
Endocrine gland that secretes the hormone melatonin that plays a role in sleep, aging, and reproduction in humans |
| |
Inferior Coliculus |
White matter center for certain auditory reflexes like turning your head to hear sounds better |
| |
Superior Colliculus |
White matter center for certain visual reflexes, such as moving the eyes to view something as the head turns |
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Transverse fissure |
large crevice that separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum |
| |
Arbor Vitae |
"tree of life"; white matter of the cerebellum |
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Thalamus |
Large mass of gray matter that acts as relay center through which all sensory information (except smell) passes on the way to the cerebrum |
| |
Hypothalamus |
Region directly below thalamus that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and other autonomic control systems |
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Aqueduct |
Channel/passage through which cerebrospinal fluid is transferred from third ventricle to fourth ventricle and then to spinal cord |
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Fourth Ventricle |
Circulates cerebrospinal fluid through interior of cerebellum |
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Cerebrum |
Largest portion (80%) of brain, divided into four major lobes |
| |
Frontal lobes |
Control motor functions (voluntary muscles and glands), higher order thinking, planning, reasoning, judgement, speech, and impulse control |
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Parietal lobes |
Control body orientation and the sensation of pain, temperature, and touch |
| |
Temporal lobes |
Crontrol hearing, memory, and speech |
| |
Occipital Lobes |
Control vision and color recognition |
| |
Convolutions |
Wrinkles that increase surface area of brain |
| |
Gyri |
MAN RIDGES |
| |
Sulci |
WOMAN VALLEYS |
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Fissures |
Deep, narrow grooves or cracks that separate the right and left hemispheres of the cerebrum and separate the cerebrum from the cerebellum |
| |
Transverse |
Separates the cerebrum from cerebellum |
| |
Sagittal (Longitudinal) |
Separates the right and left hemispheres of the cerebrum |
| |
Cerebellum |
"little brain" that is connected to the cerebral cortex; responsible for regulation and coordination of complex voluntary muscular movement as well as maintaining posture/balance |
| |
Medulla oblongata |
Lowest portion of brainstem; controls autonomic, vital life functions like breathing/heart rate; relays nerve signals between brain and spinal cord |
| |
Pons |
Connects medulla to cerebellum where cranial nerves 5-8 run through,; assist medulla in regulating autonomic functions like breathing |
| |
Spinal Cord |
Provides avenues of communication between CNS and PNS or internal and external environments of body; source of 31 pairs of spinal nerves |
| |
Meninges |
Series of three layers of membranes surrounding brain and spinal cord; cerebrospinal fluid circulates between the three to provide additional protection |
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