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Describing the brain Flashcards

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1
Q

What does neurulation refer to?

  1. development of the PNS only
  2. formation of new neurons
  3. development and formation of the neural plate
  4. development of the CNS only
A
  1. development and formation of the neural plate
    - neural plate comes from thickening of the ectoderm and forms the nervous system
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2
Q

Organise the labels below, describing how the neural plate forms?

  • notochord stimulates above ectoderm
  • ectoderm thickens and forms the neural plate
  • mesoderm cells differentiate into notochord (cartilage precursor)
A
  1. mesoderm cells differentiate into notochord (cartilage precursor)
  2. notochord stimulates above ectoderm
  3. ectoderm thickens and forms the neural plate
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3
Q

Once the neural plate has been formed by the stimulation of the ectoderm by the notochord in the mesoderm, what does the neural plate do as part of neurulation?

  1. edges fold in forming a groove
  2. folds of the neural plate fold up and form a groove
  3. cavity forms in the hollow tube created from the neural plate
  4. invaginates forming a 2nd notochord
A
  1. edges fold in forming a groove
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4
Q

What is primary neurulation?

  1. edges fold in forming a groove
  2. folds of the neural plate fold up and form a groove
  3. cavity forms in the hollow tube created from the neural plate
  4. invaginates forming a 2nd notochord
A
  1. folds of the neural plate fold up and form a groove
    - eventually these folds come together and fuse forming a hollow tube
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5
Q

What is secondary neurulation?

  1. edges fold in forming a groove
  2. folds of the neural plate fold up and form a groove
  3. cavity forms in the hollow tube created from the neural plate
  4. invaginates forming a 2nd notochord
A
  1. cavity forms in the hollow tube created from the neural plate
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6
Q

When does neurulation begin?

  1. weeks 1-2
  2. weeks 3-4
  3. weeks 5-6
  4. weeks 7-8
A
  1. weeks 3-4
    - think 3-4 candles on a cake
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7
Q

What 3 important structures are formed from neurulation?

A
  • brain
  • spinal cord
  • PNS and CNS
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8
Q

What 3 important structures are formed from the neural tube?

  1. spinal cord, meninges, bones
  2. spinal cord, muscles, brain
  3. spinal cord, meninges, bones
  4. spinal cord, meninges, brain
A
  1. spinal cord, meninges, brain
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9
Q

The neural tube forms the spinal cord, meninges, brain. If there are defects in the neural tube, this can lead to disorders of the spine and nervous system, one is called spina bifida. What is spina bifida (means split spine in latin)?

  1. posterior neuropore does not close properly
  2. anterior neuropore does not close properly
  3. caudal neuropore does not close properly
  4. cranium neuropore does not close properly
A
  1. posterior neuropore does not close properly
    - leads to a cleft/gap in the spine and spinal cord
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10
Q

What is the term used to describe where the anterior neuropore fails to close?

A
  • anencephaly, greek for “without a brain
  • fatal where baby is born without parts of skull or brain, generally the telencephalon (cerebral hemisphere)
  • this is what was happening with zica virus
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11
Q

There are 2 broad types of spina bifida, occulta (latin for hidden) and cystica, what is the difference?

A
  • occulta = vertebral arch defects (not able to be seen as in the latin name
  • cystica = meninges (and sometime the nerves) project out of vertebrae
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12
Q

Once the neural tube has sealed, bulges begin to form called primary brain vesicles. What are the 3 primary brain vesicles, what are they?

  1. Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon, Rhombencephalon
  2. Telencephalon, Mesencephalon, Rhombencephalon
  3. Prosencephalon, Myclencephalon, Rhombencephalon
  4. Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon, Myclencephalon
A
  1. Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon, Rhombencephalon
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13
Q

Prosencephalon, which is latin for forward, is one of the 3 primary vesicles that form in the brain. Which part of the brain does this go on to form?

  1. hindbrain
  2. midbrain
  3. forebrain
  4. brain stem
A
  1. forebrain
    - same as name origin meaning forward
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14
Q

Mesencephalon, latin for darkened streak as it looks darkened in unstained brain tissue, is one of the 3 primary vesicles that form in the brain. Which part of the brain does this go on to form?

  1. hindbrain
  2. midbrain
  3. forebrain
  4. brain stem
A
  1. midbrain
    - think middle and mesoderm
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15
Q

The Rhombencephalon is one of the 3 brain vesicles, what does it go on to form?

  1. hindbrain
  2. midbrain
  3. forebrain
  4. brain stem
A
  1. hindbrain
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16
Q

Once the neural tube has sealed, bulges begin to form called primary brain vesicles. 3 primary brain vesicles, Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon (think middle) and the Rhombencephalon are formed. What are the 5 secondary vesicles that are formed from these and which primary vesicle do they originate from?

A

1 - Telencephalon (greek meaning end brain) = Prosencephalon

2 - Diencephalon (greek meaning through) = Prosencephalon

3 - Mesencephalon = Mesencephalon

4 - Metencephalon = Rhombencephalon

5 - Myelencephalon = Rhombencephalon

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17
Q

Once the neural tube has sealed, bulges begin to form called primary brain vesicles. 3 primary brain vesicles, Prosencephalon, Mesencephalon (think middle) and the Rhombencephalon are formed, which then go on to form the 5 secondary vesicles depicted in the image below. What do each of the 5 secondary brain vesicles then go on to form?

A

1 - Telencephalon = cerebral hemisphere

2 - Diencephalon = thalamus

3 - Mesencephalon = midbrain

4 - Metencephalon = pons/cerebellum

5 - Myelencephalon = spinal cord

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18
Q

Is the thalamus or hypothalamus higher or lower in the brain?

A
  • thalamus
  • hypo means below
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19
Q

The cerebral hemisphere is split into left and right sides by what?

A
  • longitudinal fissure, also referred to as sagittal fissure
  • fissure means narrow crack of opening
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20
Q

The cerebral cortex is crucial for cognition and can be separated into 4 lobes, what are they?

A

1 - frontal lobe

2 - temportal lobe

3 - parietal lobe

4 - occipital lobe

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21
Q

In the brain there is an uneven surface, with elevations and grooves, what is the name of these and the purpose of having them?

A
  • grooves = sulci (think sinking)
  • elevations = gyri (think growing up)
  • purpose is to increase surface area
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22
Q

What does sulcus mean?

A
  • singular depression
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23
Q

What is the purpose of the central sulcus in the brain, located towards the midbrain, almost parallel with the frontal suture of the skull?

  1. forms the boundary between the frontal and the parietal lobes
  2. forms the boundary between the occipital and the parietal lobes
  3. forms the boundary between the temporal and the parietal lobes
  4. forms the boundary between the frontal and the occipital lobes
A
  1. forms the boundary between the frontal and the parietal lobes
    - indicates change in function
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24
Q

In the brain, there are different terms used to describe the locations, instead of anterior, posterior etc… What are the 4 terms used in the brain and what do they refer to in simple terms?

A

1 - rostal = front

2 - caudal = back

3 - dorsal = top (think fin on dolphin)

4 - ventral = bottom

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25
The central sulcus in the brain divides the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain. In addition, this also identifies a change in function. The frontal lobe is heavily involved in cognitive function. Beyond the central sulcus as we move caudally (backwards), what sort of information does this area of the brain receive?
- somatosensory cortex - ability to feel and interpret bodily senses - rostral to central sulcus processes information from back of the brain before bringing it to central sulcus
26
What are some of the primary functions of the frontal lobe?
- executive functions - ability to think and consider
27
What are some of the primary functions of the temporal lobe?
- primary auditory cortex - primary olfactory cortex - learning and memory
28
What are some of the primary functions of the parietal lobe?
- primary somatosensory cortex - sensations (pain, touch, proprioception)
29
What is the key function of the occipital lobe?
- primary visual cortex
30
Using the labels below, label the functional areas of the brain numbered 1-7? * visual cortex * primary motor cortex * olfactory (small) cortex * somatosensory cortex * gustatory cortex * motor speech area of broca * auditory cortex
1. primary motor cortex 2. somatosensory cortex 3. visual cortex 4. auditory cortex 5. olfactory (small) cortex 6. gustatory cortex 7. motor speech area of broca
31
What is the gustatory cortex in the brain? 1. relates to smelling 2. relate to tasting in the mouth 3. relates to sensation of the tongue 4. relates to sensation of the face
2. relate to tasting in the mouth - latin meaning to taste
32
In the brain what is white and grey matter generally?
- white = myelineated axons - grey = mainly neuronal cell bodies (cerebral cortex)
33
What is a nerve tract in the brain?
- a bundle of nerve fibres connecting different parts of the CNS
34
What are the 3 types of nerve tracts in the brain? 1. projection, association and commissural tracts 2. accessory, association and commissural tracts 3. projection, accessory and commissural tracts 4. projection, association and accessory tracts
1. **projection**, **association** and **commissural** tracts * commissural is latin for joining parts
35
There are 3 main tracts in the brain. A projection tract is one of the the 3 types of nerve tracts in the brain. What is the **projection tract**? 1. neurons/axons that connect to associated areas in the same cerebral hemisphere 2. neurons/axons that connect to the opposite cerebral hemisphere 3. projects from spinal cord and brain stem to the brain 4. neurons connecting PNS to CNS
3. projects from **spinal cord + brain stem** to the **brain** - can include efferent + afferent fibres
36
An association tract is one of the the 3 types of nerve tracts in the brain. What is the association tract? 1. neurons/axons that connect to associated areas in the same cerebral hemisphere 2. neurons/axons that connect to the opposite cerebral hemisphere 3. projects from spinal cord and brain stem to the brain 4. neurons connecting PNS to CNS
**Association tract:** * **neurons**/**axons** that **connect** to **associated** **areas** in the same **_cerebral hemisphere_**
37
A **commissural** (also called **transverse**) tract is one of the the 3 types of nerve tracts in the brain. What is the **commissural** tract? 1. neurons/axons that connect to associated areas in the same cerebral hemisphere 2. neurons/axons that connect to the opposite cerebral hemisphere 3. projects from spinal cord and brain stem to the brain 4. neurons connecting PNS to CNS
**commissural** tract: * neurons/axons that connect to the **_opposite_ cerebral hemisphere** * - commissural = greek for connecting sides
38
What is the name of the large white matter tract that connects the two hemispheres of the brain called? 1. pons 2. corpus callosum 3. rostrum 4. striatum
2. corpus callosum
39
The **corpus callosum** is a **large _white_ matter tract** that **connects** the **_two_ hemispheres** of the brain**.** Which type of **nerve tracts** need to pass through the corpus callosum? 1. projection 2. association 3. commissural 4. associated
3. commisural (transverse) tract - connects left + right hemispheres
40
The **corpus callosum**, which is latin for tough **bundle** of **fibres** connects the **left** + **right** hemispheres. What is it?
**Corpus Callosum**: * **thick bundle** of fibres that is a commisural tract * connects the **left + right** cerebral hemispheres * **_largest_** white matter in body made up of **myelineated** **axons**
41
There are 3 parts of the **corpus callosum**, what are they? 1. genu, body, splenium 2. tail, body, splenium 3. genu, body, tail 4. head, body, splenium
**corpus callosum** parts**:** * **_genu**_ = latin for _**bend_** * **_body_** * **_splenium**_ = latin bandage due to its _**thickness_**
42
What key part of the brain that is composed of **thick** white fibres can we see labelled on the MRI below? 1. pons 2. corpus callosum 3. rostrum 4. striatum
corpus callosum
43
The **_genu_** is part of the corpus collosum, what does this mean?
**genu** = flexure/**bend**, comes from latin meaning **knee**
44
The **_splenium_** is part of the corpus collosum, what does this mean?
**_splenium:_** - **pad**/patch, latin for bandage - due to its **thick** nature - most **caudal** region
45
What is the **limbic system** associated with? 1. cognitive thought 2. smelling and tase 3. memory and emotion 4. sight and soound
**Limbic system:** * **memory** + **emotion** - can often be referred to as a lobe
46
The **limbic system** is heavily involved in **memory** + **emotion** and it spans the **telencephalon** (cerebral hemisphere) and the **diencephalon** (thalamus), together referred to as the **forebrain**. Using the labels below what are the main parts of the limbic system in the image below numbered 1-7? * amygdala * cingulate cortex * hippocampus * fornix * thalamus * mammillary bodies * hypothalamus
1. cingulate cortex 2. fornix 3. thalamus 4. hypothalamus 5. mammillary bodies 6. amygdala 7. hippocampus
47
The **diencephalon** is the central portion of the brain located around the **third ventricle**, **superior** to the **brainstem** (**medulla, pons + midbrain)**, and **inferior** to the **corpus callosum** and **cerebral cortex** that derives from the prosencephalon, primary vesicle. What are the 5 main areas of the diencephalon that we need to be aware of?
Diencephalon main areas: 1. thalamus 2. hypothalamus 3. Subthalamus 4. Epithalamus Other: 1. corpus callosum 2. fornix 3. mamillary bodies
48
Which part of the brain is labelled in the image, that is central in the brain and part of the diencephalic region of the brain? 1. thalamus 2. hypothalamus 3. amygdala 4. pons
1. thalamus
49
The thalamus has 2 parts, one in each side of the cerebral hemisphere. What are some of the main roles of the **thalamus**?
1. - transmits **sensory** info to **cortex**, so being **central** is important 2. - involved in **_voluntary_ movement**, **_personality**_ and _**consciousness_**
50
The thalamus is able to **communicate** with other regions of the **diencephalon**. What are the structures that allow this communication to occur called?
- interthalamic adhesions - flattened band of tissue
51
Why is the thalamus often referred to a the **relay hub**?
* as it relays information from **sub cortical** (below cerebral cortex) to different areas of the **cortex** * essentially ensures everything is transmitted through to the cerebral cortex and vice versa
52
Which part of the brain, that is also part of the diencephalic is labelled here? 1. thalamus 2. hypothalamus 3. amygdala 4. pons
2 hypothalamus
53
What are some of the key functions of the hypothalamus?
1. - **co-ordinate** the ANS 2. - **thermoregulation**, **feeding**, **drinking**, 3. - **circadian rhythm**, **hormone release** 4. - **limbic system** info transmission
54
Which gland sits just **below** the **hypothalamus**?
- the **pituitary gland** (sits in **_sella turcica_** (turkish for saddle) of the **sphenoid bone**) - master endocrine gland
55
Using the labels below, label the regions of the brain that are associated with the **hypothalamus** numbered 1-5? * hypothalamus (behind pituitary gland) * optic chiasm (CN II (2) optic nerve) * frontal lobe * olfactory bulbs (CN I (1) olfactory nerve) * temporal lobe
1. frontal lobe 2. temporal lobe 3. olfactory bulbs (CN I (1) olfactory nerve) 4. optic chiasm (CN II (2) optic nerve) 5. **_hypothalamus_** (behind pituitary gland)
56
Why does the optic chiasm decussate/cross the midline of the brain?
- allows **binocular vision** - binocular vision is a type of vision in which an animal has two eyes capable of **facing** the **same direction** to perceive a single three-dimensional image of its surroundings.
57
The mesencephalon + rhombencephalon are 2 of the primary vesicles that form during neuralation that go on to form the **midbrain** + the **hindbrain** respectively. What are 2 key parts of the **hindbrain** that sit ventrally (below) to the midbrain?
1 - pons 2 - medulla in this order
58
The brain stem connect the spinal cord to?
- cortex
59
What are some of the crucial functions of the brain stem, which includes the pons, medulla oblongata?
- respiration - cardiovascular centres - vomiting centre - motor control and sleep
60
What are the **cerebral peduncles**?
- anterior aspect of the **brain stem** - connects the **brain stem** to the **thalami** (pleural thalamus)
61
Does the **mid brain** contain white or grey matter tracts, and which secondary vesicle does this connect with?
- **tracts** are always **white matter** in the brain as they are **myelineated** - **diencephalon** (thalamus + hypothalamus are part of this)
62
There are **2 superior colliculus**, which is latin for upper hill. Where are they located and what is their main function?
**2 superior colliculus** - located **dorsally** on the **midbrain** - **eye** movements
63
There are **2 inferior colliculus**. Where are they located and what is their main function?
**2 inferior colliculus:** - located dorsally on the midbrain, **ventrally** to the superior colliculus - hearing
64
Using the labels below, label the 4 key aspects of the midbrain numbered 1-4? * substantia nigra * cerebral peduncles (connect brain stem to cortex) * superior colliculus * red nucleus
1. cerebral peduncles (connect brain stem to cortex) 2. red nucleus 3. superior colliculus 4. substantia nigra
65
Where is the substantia niagra, latin for dark black substance, located? 1. basal ganglia in forebrain 2. basal ganglia in brain stem 3. basal ganglia in midbrain 4. basal ganglia in cerebellum
3. basal ganglia in **_midbrain_** * the largest nucleus in the midbrain * located dorsally (below) to the cerebral peduncles
66
What is the importance of the substantia niagra in the midbrain? 1. contains dopaminergic neurons needed for movement 2. contains glutamanergic neurons needed for movement 3. contains serotonin neurons needed for movement 4. contains adrenaline neurons needed for movement
1. **contains dopamine** neurons needed for **_movement_** * dopaminergic nucleus has a critical role in modulating motor movement * Parkinsons patients have defects dopaminergic nucleus
67
What is the main function of the red nucleus? 1. relay information between the thalamus and cortex 2. relay information between the brain stem and cortex 3. relay information between the pons and cortex 4. relay information between the cerebellum and cortex
4. relay information between the **cerebellum + cortex** * important for **co-ordination** (arm swinging, babies crawling) * descending **corticospinal** tract is dominant in humans
68
What is one of the key communication functions of the pons, specifically the **cerebellar peduncles**, latin for bridge? 1. relay information between the thalamus and cortex 2. relay information between the brain stem and cerebellum 3. relay information between the pons and cortex 4. relay information between the cerebellum and cortex
2. relay information between the brain stem + cerebellum
69
What does peduncle mean?
- stork or feet
70
The pons contain **transverse fibres**, what are these called and how many are there?
* *Transverse fibres:** - **cerebellar peduncles** that connect **cerebellar** + **brain stem** 3 types * superior, middle & inferior
71
What is the lowest aspect of the brain stem?
- medulla oblongata
72
The medulla oblongata is the lowest aspect of the brain stem, what are its main functions?
- voluntary movement - respiration and cardiac control
73
The medulla oblongata contains the pyramids, which contains the main voluntary motor pathway connecting the **brain stem** and the **spinal cord**. What is this tract called? 1. corticospinal tract 2. spinothalamic tract 3. spinocerebellar tract 4. dorsal column
1. corticospinal tract
74
The cerebellum, latin for little brain, is the tree like structure that sits caudally (behind) to the brain that is part of the hindbraind. Is there grey or white matter in the cerebellum?
- outer grey matter (just like in cerebral) - inner white matter
75
The cerebellum, latin for little brain, is the tree like structure that sits caudally (below) to the brain that is part of the hindbraind. Does it have one or 2 hemispheres?
- 2 like the cerebral hemispheres - sperated by the **falx cerebellar**
76
How many lobes does each cerebellum contain?
- 3 - anterior lobe, flocculonodular and posterior lobe
77
What are some of the main functions of the cerebellum?
- motor control - posture - coordinate and plan limb movements - control eye movements
78
The cerebellum is separated by the vermis, latin for worm. What is the purpose of the vermis?
- associated with bodily posture and locomotion
79
How does the cerebellum connect to the brain stem?
- cerebellar peduncles - they are from the pons
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