Brain

• What is the thickness of the cortex?

  2-4 mm
• What are the 'bumps' on the cerebral cortex called?

  Gyri
• What are the 'dips' on the cerebral cortex called?

  Sulci
• What are very deep dips on the cerebral cortex called?

  Fissures
• What are the three key fissures of the cerebral cortex?

  • Longitudinal fissure: separates hemispheres
  • Lateral fissure: separates temporal and frontal lobes
  • Central sulcus: separates frontal and parietal lobes
• What are the four lobes of the brain and their functions?

  • Frontal lobe: reasoning, planning, movement
  • Parietal lobe: perception of touch, pressure, pain
  • Temporal lobe: auditory recognition, memory
  • Occipital lobe: aspects of vision
• What do sensory areas of the cortex do?

  Receive and interpret sensory impulses
• What do motor areas of the cortex do?

  Initiate movements
• What are association areas responsible for?

  Complex integrative functions like memory
• What are the two key gyri surrounding the central sulcus?

  • Pre-central gyrus: primary motor cortex
  • Post-central gyrus: primary sensory cortex
• What is the homunculus?

  A mapping of sensory and motor cortex
• What is the limbic lobe considered?

  The 5th lobe of the brain
• Where is the limbic lobe located?

  At the junction of cerebrum and brain stem
• What is the function of the basal ganglia?

  Relay station for movement control
• What are the components of the basal ganglia?

  Caudate nucleus, lentiform nucleus, putamen
• What does the diencephalon connect?

  • Connects cerebrum to midbrain
  • Composed of thalamus and hypothalamus
• What is the primary function of the thalamus?

  Relay station for sensory impulses
• Where is the hypothalamus located?

  Inferior to the thalamus
• What are the main functions of the hypothalamus?

  Homeostasis, emotions, circadian rhythms
• What are significant endocrine glands of the brain?

  • Pineal gland: secretes melatonin
  • Pituitary gland: growth, blood pressure
• What vital functions does the brain stem control?

  Breathing and heart rate
• What are the three key areas of the brain stem?

  • Midbrain
  • Pons
  • Medulla oblongata
• What is the length of the midbrain?

  2.5 cm
• What structures are found in the anterior portion of the midbrain?

  Cerebral peduncles
• What is the function of the pons?

  Relay center for spinal cord and brain
• What is the length of the medulla oblongata?

  3 cm
• What do the pyramids of the medulla contain?

  Largest motor tracts from cerebrum
• What is the role of the cerebellum?

  Control posture, balance, coordination
• What are the main structures of the cerebellum?

  • Two hemispheres joined by vermis
  • Three paired peduncles: superior, middle, inferior
  • Outer cortex (grey matter) and arbor vitae (white matter)
• What are the three protective membranes surrounding the brain?

  • Pia mater
  • Arachnoid mater
  • Dura mater
• What is the function of the dura mater?

  Protective outer layer of the brain
• What does the arachnoid mater contain?

  Subarachnoid space with CSF
• What is the largest part of the brain?

  Cerebrum, 7/8 of total brain weight
• What does the brain stem consist of?

  • Medulla oblongata
  • Pons
  • Midbrain (mesencephalon)
• What is the most outer layer of the brain called?

  Dura mater
• How many layers does the dura mater have?

  Two layers
• What is the outer layer of the dura mater called?

  Outer periosteal layer
• What does the inner meningeal layer of the dura mater connect to?

  Dura mater of the spinal cord
• What is the function of the inner layer of the dura mater?

  It folds around the brain, separating compartments
• What is the falx cerebri?

  A fold separating cerebral hemispheres