1A. Gross Anatomy 1

• What is a body system?

  A group of organs and tissues that work together to complete certain functions
• Why is the nervous system of special interest to psychologists?

  Because of its link to the brain and behavior
• How are the body's systems linked?

  The endocrine system releases hormones that affect the brain and behavior
• What are the two parts of the nervous system?

  The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
• What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?

  The brain and the spinal cord
• What are the divisions of motor neurons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

  Autonomic and somatic nervous systems
• What is the role of the somatic nervous system?

  It is responsible for voluntary movement
• What does the autonomic nervous system control?

  Non-voluntary movement
• What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

  It prepares the body for threat, known as fight or flight
• What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

  It reverses sympathetic action when the threat has passed
• How is the brain divided?

  Into two hemispheres
• What connects the two hemispheres of the brain?

  The corpus callosum
• What are the three main parts of the brain?

  The forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain
• What are the major divisions and subdivisions of the brain?

  Forebrain

  • Telencephalon: Cerebral Cortex, Basal Ganglia, Limbic System
  • Diencephalon: Thalamus, Hypothalamus

  Midbrain

  • Mesencephalon: Tectum, Tegmentum

  Hindbrain

  • Metencephalon: Cerebellum, Pons
  • Myelencephalon: Medulla Oblongata
• What are the four lobes of the brain and their functions?

  • Frontal (motor control, executive function)
  • Parietal (bodily sensations, spatial relationships)
  • Temporal (hearing)
  • Occipital (vision)
• How did Brodmann classify the cerebral cortex?

  • By physical structure
  • By growth structure
  • By appearance under a microscope
  • By microstructure (cell types present)
• What are the functions of key structures in the brain?

  • Basal Ganglia: Movement
  • Limbic System: Motivation and emotion
  • Thalamus: Relay and integration of sensory information
  • Hypothalamus: Controls autonomic and endocrine systems
  • Tectum: Visual and auditory processing
  • Tegmentum: Sleep, arousal, movement
  • Cerebellum: Motor coordination, muscle tone, balance
  • Pons and Medulla: Sleep and arousal
  • Medulla: Control of vital functions
• How many cranial nerves does the brain receive input from?

  12 cranial nerves
• Where do the optic and olfactory nerves link?

  Directly into the cerebrum
• What are the segments of the spinal cord?

  Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral segments
• How many cervical segments are there in the spinal cord?

  Seven cervical segments
• How many thoracic segments are there in the spinal cord?

  Twelve thoracic segments
• How many lumbar segments are there in the spinal cord?

  Five lumbar segments
• How many sacral segments are there in the spinal cord?

  Five sacral segments
• What is the difference between white and grey matter in the spinal cord?

  White matter contains myelinated axons, while grey matter contains neuronal cell bodies
• How does sensory information travel in the spinal cord?

  It travels to the spinal cord via the dorsal root and away via the ventral root
• What is the role of the spinal cord in reflex actions?

  It can enact spinal reflexes without passing information to the brain
• What are the causes of spinal cord injuries?

  Mechanical force, toxicity, or lack of oxygen or blood flow
• How does the severity of a spinal cord injury relate to its location?

  The higher the injury, the more severe the resulting impairment
• What are the impairments associated with different sites of spinal cord injury?

  • Cervical: Paralysis in arms, hands, trunk, and legs; may affect breathing and bowel/bladder control.
  • Thoracic: Affects trunk and legs; may allow standing or walking with braces; little control of bowel/bladder.
  • Lumbar: Little control of bowel/bladder; may need a wheelchair or walk with braces.
  • Sacral: Little voluntary control of bowel/bladder; likely able to walk with special equipment.