Ch. 14: The Brain (copy)

the major route by which the forebrain sends information to and receives information from the spinal cord and peripheral nerves; comprised of the medulla oblongata, the pons, and the midbrain.

the portion of the brainstem that controls respiration and regulation of heart rhythms

the portion of the brainstem that "bridges" or connects the medulla oblongata with the cerebral cortex

the portion of the brainstem that processes information from the superior colliculus [visual] and inferior colliculus [auditory], and helps maintain consciousness

the "little brain" structure located dorsal to the brainstem that helps control movement, balance, and muscle coordination

the two halves of the cerebrum

brain area specialized for speech, writing, language, and calculations

brain area specialized for spatial abilities, facial recognition, analyzing emotional context ("Get lost"), and some aspects of music perception and production

the largest of the three divisions of the brain; sub-divided into four lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital) and responsible for all forms of conscious experience including decision-making, perception, emotion, thought, language and vision

a large bundle of nerve fibers (myelinated axons) that link the right and left hemispheres of the brain

three vascular membranes (the dura, arachnoid and pia mater) that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord against shocks, knocks, and vibrations

tough, leathery outermost layer of the membranes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord; Latin for 'tough mother'

spiderweb-like middle layer of the membranes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord; Latin for 'spider(web) mother'

delicate, innermost layer of the membranes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord; Latin for 'delicate mother'

the ridges or bumps of the cerebral surface

the valleys or depressions between the folds (gyri) of the brain

front region of the cerebrum concerned with cognitive processes that include planning, inhibition of instincts and drives, and declarative memory

brain lobe located near the temples and ear region of the cerebrum; functions include smell, taste, hearing, visual associations, some aspects of memory, and a person's sense of self

cerebral lobe that interprets sensation; processes higher sensory and language functions

in the posterior region of the cerebrum; receives sensory information from the eyes

C-shape band of fibers that sends memories out to the cerebral hemisphere for long-term storage, and retrieves them when necessary

almost all sensory input and motor output goes through this "regulatory gateway" in the middle of the brain

regulates homeostasis: emotions (joy, rage, sadness), thirst, hunger, body temperature, and sleep patterns; produces hormones.

endocrine gland at the base of the brain that makes and releases hormones into the blood stream

fatty material that surrounds axons of many neurons creating white matter; speeds transmission of action potential movement down axons

cavities inside the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid to nourish and protect the brain and spinal cord

anterior part of the brain concerned with the sense of smell; innervated by Cranial Nerve I

nerve that connects the retina to the brain; Cranial Nerve II (2)

directional term referring to anterior portion of brain/towards the front ("rhymes with nostril")

bundle of nerve fibers located inside the vertebrae that connects via the brainstem to the brain, and conducts sensory and motor information between brain and body

a progressive neurodegenerative disease causing motor neurons in the brain and the spinal cord to die; the brain can no longer control voluntary muscle movement. (Disorder name means "No muscle nourishment.")

a viral infection transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected animal; the virus travels up the axons by retrograde flow to the CNS

a chronic disease of the central nervous system marked by damage to the myelin sheath; causes weakness, impaired vision and speech, and loss of muscle coordination

a group of disorders caused by brain injury or abnormal brain development before birth or early in life, resulting in the permanent (though not progressive) loss of a child's muscle control and coordination

progressive disease of structural changes (plaques and tangles) in the brain resulting in an irreversible deterioration; progresses from forgetfulness and disorientation to loss of all intellectual functions, total disability, and death