Brain Notes II DIENCEPHALON n Thalamus n n
Brain Notes II
DIENCEPHALON n Thalamus n n Relay station for sensory impulses to cerebral cortex Plays a role in emotions, memory, awareness and cognition
n Hypothalamus – “master gland” n n n Controls regulation eating & drinking Controls body temperature Regulation of consciousness, emotional and behavior, diurnal (circardian) rhythms – synchronizes day-night cycle
n Limbic System n Emotional aspects of behavior & aids in memory
BRAIN STEM n Connects spinal cord to diencephalon n Parts of Midbrain n Cerebral peduncles n Corpora quadrigemina n Reflex center for movement in response to sound & visual stimuli
n Pons n Connects spinal cord with brain & links parts of brain with one another by way of tracts (nerve fibers within the CNS) n Aid in control of breathing
n Medulla Oblongata n Regulates: n Cardiac center – heart rate n Vasomotor center – constricts blood vessels n Respiratory center – rate and depth of breathing
n Other centers coordinate swallowing, vomiting, coughing, sneezing & hiccuping.
n Reticular Formation n Responsible for maintaining consciousness & awakening from sleep
CEREBELLUM n Vermis –”worm” n White matter tracts are called “arbor vitae” tree of life. n Cerebellar peduncles – connect cerebellum to other parts of brain
n Coordination, balance, and posture n Damage would show loss of muscle tone and inaccurate movements
PROTECTIONS & COVERINGS n The CNS is protected by: n Bone – cranium and vertebral column n Meninges – 3 connective tissue layers Dura mater – most outer n Arachnoid mater – “spiderweb” middle n Pia mater – inner n
MENINGES n Dura mater n Outermost layer n Dense, irregular C. T. with many blood vessels and nerves n Attached to periosteum n Meningitis – inflammation of meninges
n Arachnoid mater n Spider web-like collagen and elastic fiber n Thin membrane that lacks blood vessels n Subdural space – fluid filled area between dura and subarachnoid maters
n Pia mater n Innermost, nearly transparent layer; has many nerves & blood vessels n Follows contours of brain & spinal cord n Subarachnoid space – area between arachnoid & pia mater; filled with cerebrospinal fluid
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