Brain Anatomy

• Autonomic Nervous System


  • Controls the heart
  • Controls the intestines
  • Controls other organs
• Central Nervous System


  • Brain
  • Spinal cord
• Neuroanatomy


  Anatomy of the nervous system
• Peripheral Nervous System


  • Connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body
• Somatic Nervous System


  • Axons conveying messages from the sense organs to the CNS
  • Axons conveying messages from the CNS to the muscles
• The autonomic nervous system consists of neurons that receive information from and send commands to the heart, intestines, and other organs
• Parasympathetic Nervous System


  • Sometimes called the "rest and digest" system, facilitates vegetative, non-emergency responses
• Preganglionic in Parasympathetic Nervous System


  Long preganglionic axons extend from the spinal cord to parasympathetic ganglia close to each internal organ
• White Matter


  Neurons from the gray matter of the spinal cord send axons to the brain or other parts of the spinal cord through this, containing myelinated axons
• Dorsal Root Ganglia: cell bodies of the sensory neurons are in clusters of neurons outside the spinal cord
• The midbrain (mesencephalon) contains the tectum, superior and inferior colliculus, tegmentum, and substantia nigra
• The thalamus is a pair of structures in the center of the forebrain
• The hindbrain (rhombencephalon) consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum
• The spinal cord communicates with all the sense organs and muscles except those of the head
• The amygdala is part of the circuit central for evaluating emotional information, especially with regard to fear
• The spinal cord is the part of the CNS within the spinal column
• The hypothalamus is a small area near the base of the brain just ventral to the thalamus
• Postganglionic in Parasympathetic Nervous System


  Shorter postganglionic fibers extend from the parasympathetic ganglia into the organs themselves
• The forebrain (prosencephalon) consists of the cerebral cortex and limbic system
• Gray Matter


  1. shaped in the center of the cord, densely packed with cell bodies and dendrites
• Sympathetic Nervous System


  • "Fight or Flight" system, prepares the body for action by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, etc. Consists of ganglia near the spinal cord's central regions
• BASAL FOREBRAIN


  • Nucleus Basalis receives input from the hypothalamus and basal ganglia, sends axons releasing acetylcholine to widespread areas in the cerebral cortex
• Research Methods for studying brain function

  1. Examine the effects of brain damage

  2. Examine the effects of stimulating a brain area

  3. Record brain activity during behavior

  4. Correlate brain anatomy with behavior
• VENTRICLES


  • The nervous system begins its development as a tube surrounding a fluid canal. The ventricles are four fluid-filled cavities within the brain
• FRONTAL LOBE


  • Contains the primary motor cortex and the prefrontal cortex, extends from the central sulcus to the anterior limit of the brain
• HYPOTHALAMUS


  • A small area near the base of the brain just ventral to the thalamus, has widespread connections with the rest of the brain. Contains distinct nuclei related to motivation and emotion
• OCCIPITAL LOBE


  • Main target for visual information, contains the primary visual cortex or striate cortex
• Components of the ventricles

  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
  • Meninges
• PARIETAL LOBE


  • Lies between the occipital lobe and the central sulcus, contains the postcentral gyrus or primary somatosensory cortex
• BASAL GANGLIA


  • Group of subcortical structures lateral to the thalamus. Integrate motivational and emotional behavior to increase the vigor of selected actions
• THALAMUS


  • Pair of structures (left and right) in the center of the forebrain
• HIPPOCAMPUS


  • A large structure between the thalamus and the cerebral cortex, mostly toward the posterior of the forebrain
• LA


  • Part of the circuit that is most central for evaluating emotional information, especially with regard to fear
• PITUITARY GLAND


  • An endocrine gland attached to the base of the hypothalamus. Synthesizes hormones in response to messages from the hypothalamus
• CEREBRAL CORTEX


  • The most prominent part of the mammalian brain
• TEMPORAL LOBE


  • Primary cortical target for auditory information, located near the temples