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Major regions of the brain (Cerebrum (Contains two hemispheres separated…
Major regions of the brain
Cerebrum
Contains two hemispheres separated by a deep fissure
Cortex (surface gray matter) contains gyri and sulci (convolutions and grooves)
Divided into lobes named for overlying bones of skull
Functionally sub-divided into areas specific to certain types of information (somatosensory, visual, and auditory cortex)
Hemispheres similar but not identical
Personality, planning, decision making (frontal and prefrontal cortex)
Memories and emotions associated with the limbic system (limbic cortex, subcortical cerebral nuclei, portions of the thalamus and hypothalamus)
Involved in complex processing - determinitave and precise motor operations
Language processing and association (Wernike's area to interpret word meaning and Broca's area for forming word)
Cerebellum
Functions in motor coordination and balance
Provides feedback to motor systems to ensure smooth movements of eyes and body
Diencephalon
portion of the brain between brainstem and cerebrum (primitive portion)
Contains thalamus -- all sensory information is relayed to specific nuclei here
Thalamus sends information to appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex and can filter the information transmitted there
Midbrain
Upper portion of brainstem = mesencephalon
Composed of nuclei and tracts
Most important nuclei are substantia nigra and red nucleus, which make up part of basal ganglia and function in motor coordination
Malfunction of substantia nigra dopamine secretion is responsible for Parkinson's disease
Contains reflex centers = superior and inferior colliculi
Superior = visual reflexes
Inferior = auditory reflexes turn head toward sound
Pons
Middle portion of brainstem
Has nuclei and tracts
Most important is pontine respiratory center which works with medullary respiratory center
Medulla oblongata
Lowest portion of brainstem
Has individual nuclei
Has reflex control centers
Control centers allow complex visceral control and coordination
Control micturition, BP, blood flow, HR, digestive secretion, and respiration
Two most important control centers are CV center (HR and BP) and medullary respiratory center (respiratory rate and depth)
Reticular formation
Diffuse network of nuclei (gray matter) located along pons and midbrain
Important for sleep-wake cycles
One portion = reticular activating system, controls levels of arousal of cerebral cortex, helping to maintain conciousness
Can increase or decrease intensity of ascending afferent signals
Participates in pain suppression mechanisms, can facilitate muscle tone, controls level of activity of spinal reflexes
Hypothalamus
Link between endocrine system and nervous system
Produces the hormones that aid in fluid regulation, timing of parturition, milk ejection, and release of hormones from the pituitary
Regulates thirst, satiety and hunger, body temperature, and circadian rhythm
Controller of ANS, limbic system (behavioral and emotional), and circumventricular organs (regions of hypothalamus surrounding third ventricle)
Circumventricular organs: lack blood brain barrier, associated with monitoring and regulating blood composition, are the weak link allowing viruses to the brain