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Cerebral hemispheres (2): spreads over diencephalon; 83% of total brain mass
Diencephalon: Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Epithalamus
Brain stem: midbrain, pons, medulla
Cerebellum
3rd ventricle:
continuous with the 4th ventricle via cerebral aqueduct that runs through the midbrain
a space between the right and left lobes of the thalamus
4th ventricle:
Cerebral Hemispheres:
1. Cerebral Cortex (within the cerebrum; dictates cerebral function)
executive suite
Enables us to be aware of ourselves and our sensations
To communicate, remember, understand, and to initiate voluntary movements
Composed of gray matter: neuron cell bodies, dendrites, associated glia and BV (but NO
fiber tracts)
1/8 thick, it accounts for 40% of total brain mass
Its many convolutions effectively triple its surface area
Surface Anatomy:
Gyri/gyrus: folds or convolutions/ elevated ridges of tissue
Sulci/Sulcus: shallow grooves (separate gyri)
Fissures: deep grooves (separate large regions of the brain
Longitudinal fissure: separates the cerebral hemispheres
Transverse cerebral fissure: separates the cerebral hemispheres from the
cerebellum
Parietal: separated from the frontal lobe by central sulcus and from the occipital lobe by parietooccipital sulcus
Occipital: posterior portion of the brain between parietal lobe and cerebellum
Temporal: between the lateral sulcus and transverse fissure; lateral/inferior portion of cerebrum,
between cerebellum inferiorly and frontal and parietal lobes superiorly
Hypothalamus (under the thalamus): forms floor and part of lateral walls of 3rd ventricle, partially
protected by sella turcica of the sphenoid bone
Main visceral control center of the by and is vitally important for overall body homeostasis
Lies above pituitary gland (main endocrine gland), attached by infundibulum (attaches
hypothalamus to pituitary gland)
Mammillary bodies: pealike nuclei that bulge anteriorly from the hypothalamus-relay stations in
the olfactory pathways
Functions:
1. Autonomic control center
Controls activity of center in the brain stem and spinal cord
Influences BP, rate and force of heartbeat, digestive tract motility, eye pupil size and
many other visceral activities
2. Center for emotional response
Involved in the perception of pleasure, fear, and rage, as well as those involved in
biological rhythms and drives (sex drive)
Acts through ANS pathways to initiate most physical expressions and emotions
(fearful person has high BP, high HR, sweating, dry mouth)
3. Body Temperature regulation
bodys thermostat
Monitor BP and receive input from other thermoreceptors in the brain and body
periphery
Initiates cooling (sweating) or heat-generating actions (shivering) as needed to
maintain body temperature
4. Regulation of food intake
Changes blood levels of certain nutrients (glucose, amino acids or hormones
Regulates feelings of hunger and satiety
5. Regulation of water balance and thirst
When body fluids become too concentrated, osmoreceptors are activated. These
neurons trigger the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from pituitary gland. ADH
causes kidneys to retain water
Same conditions stimulates neurons in the thirst center causing us to feel thirsty
and drink more fluids
6. Regulation of sleep-wake cycle
Helps regulate sleep through suprachiasmatic nucleus (biological clock)
7. Control of endocrine system functioning
Control secretion of hormones by anterior pituitary gland
Its supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei produce hormones ADH and oxytocin
Pons (bridge)
Mainly a conduction region, its nuclei contribute to the regulation of respiration and
cranial nerves
Between midbrain and medulla; anterior to cerebellum
Chiefly composed of conduction tracts
Transverse: connect Pons with the cerebellum
Form middle cerebellar peduncles
Between Pons and Cerebellum
Act as relays for conversations between motor cortex and cerebellum
Longitudinal: connect higher brain centers and spinal cord (tracts from medulla to the
upper brain stem and brain (contain both sensory and motor fibers))
Trigeminal nerve (CN V); mixed nerve; divided into three divisions: V1, V2, V3
Ophthalmic division (CN V1):
o Sensory fibers from the anterior scalp, upper eye lids, nose, lacrimal gland
Maxillary division (CN V2):
o Sensory fibers from palate, upper teeth, skin of cheek, upper lip, lower
eyelid
Mandibular division (CN V3):
o Sensory from lower teeth, skin of chin, general sensory to tongue (except
taste buds)
o Motor fibers to muscles of mastication
Abducens (CN VI): Motor
Innervates lateral rectus muscle, moves eyeball laterally
Facial (CN VII): Mixed Nerve
Have five branches: temporal, Zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, and cervical
Motor impulses to muscles of facial expression, secretion of saliva & (lacrimal)
tears
Sensation of face, proprioception and taste (anterior 2/3 of tongue)
Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII): Sensory
Innervates semicircular canals
Maintains equilibrium and sense of hearing
Contains nuclei which help medulla maintain normal rhythm of breathing
Medulla oblongata:
Autonomic reflex center involved in maintaining body homeostasis
Nuclei regulate respiratory rhythm, heart rate, BP, several cranial nerves
Provides conduction pathways between inferior spinal cord and higher brain centers
Most inferior part of the brain stem
Blends into the spinal cord at the level of the foramen magnum of the skull
Medulla and pons form ventral wall of 4th ventricle
Contains ascending and descending tracts from spinal cord to cortex and back
Houses pyramids (triangular structures on the ventral side) composed of corticospinal
tracts (largest motor tracts) from cortex to spine and out to the body
Decussation (crossing over):
o Occurs at the junction of the medulla and spinal cord
o Fibers cross over to the opposite side before continuing into the spinal cord
Inferior cerebella peduncles
Fiber tracts that connect the medulla to the cerebellum dorsally (communicate)
Olives:
Lateral to the pyramids, oval swellings
Swellings caused mainly by the wavy folds of gray matter of the underlying
inferior olivary nuclei
These nuclei relay sensory information on the state of stretch of muscles and
joints to the cerebellum
Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII): Sensory
Innervates semicircular canals
Maintains equilibrium and sense of hearing
Innervate cochlea of auditory portion of the ear
Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX): mixed nerve
Sensation: tongue (1/3 posterior), pharynx, carotid sinus, general sensory
(touch, pressure, pain) from pharynx and posterior tongue, chemoreceptors in
carotid body (monitor O2 and CO2 levels in the blood and regulate respiratory rate
and debpt), baroreceptors of carotid cinus (monitor BP)
Motor: parotid gland for secretion, pharynx and larynx for swallowing
Vagus nerve (CN X): Mixed nerve
Main parasympathetic nerve
Motor fibers to heart, lungs, abdominal viscera; sensory impulses from carotid
sinus
Accessory nerve (CN XI): mixed nerve
Motor: 2 divisions
o Cranial: innervates pharynx, larynx, and soft palate for swallowing
o Spinal :innervates sternocleidomastoid muscle, and trapezius muscle-moves
head
Cerebellum
Cauliflower-like, exceeds in size only by the cerebrum; accounts for about 11% of total
brain mass.
Separated by cerebral hemisphere by tentorium cerebelli (which lies in the transverse
fissure)
Provides precise timing and appropriate patterns of skeletal muscle contraction for
smooth, coordinated movements and agility needed for our daily living-driving, and typing. We
have no awareness of its functioning
Vermis
Cerebellar hemispheres are connected medially by Vermis
Receives input from inner ear, eyes, axial body
Concerned with sense of equilibrium and its ongoing adjustment
Cerebellar hemispheres
Concerned with subconscious skeletal muscle activity
3 lobes (anterior, posterior, flocculonodular) subdivided by deep fissures
Cortex (gray matter) thrown into folds called folia (pleatlike gyri)
Medulla (white matter tracts): the arbor vitae radiates out like tree branches
connecting to internal nuclei
Cerebellar Peduncles: 3 pairs (almost all fibers to & from cerebellum are ipsilateral)
Superior cerebellar peduncle: Connect cerebellum to midbrain
Middle cerebellum peduncle: Connect cerebellum to pons
Inferior cerebellum peduncle: Connect cerebellum to medulla
These peduncles convey sensory information to the cerebellum from 1) muscle
proprioceptors throughout the body and 2) vestibular nuclei of the brain stem,
which are concerned with equilibrium and balance
Cerebellar process:
Receive sensory information from vestibular apparatus (inner ear), visual, and
proprioceptive receptors throughout the body (mostly from the trunk) and may also
receive information from motor cortex, brainstem
Process is ongoing, which allows for smooth coordinated movements; required for
skilled movements, coordination, posture and balance
Limbic System:
Reticular Formation:
o Cerebrospinal fluid is absorbed into the venous blood of the sinus by these
valvelike villi
o Cause granulations on skull (pits on inner surface of skull)
Pia Mater:
Innermost layer and delicate vascular membrane of areolar CT
Only meninx that clings tightly to the brain like cellophane wrap, following its every
convolution
Bloodborne substances in the brains capillaries must pass through 3 layers before they reach
neurons:
1. The endothelium of the capillary wall
2. Relatively thick basal lamina surrounding the external face of each capillary
3. The bulbous feet of the astrocytes clinging to the capillaries
Astrocyte feet supply required signals to the endothelial cells, causing them to make tight
junctions
These tight junctions seamlessly join together the endothelial cells, forming the blood-brain
barrier and making these the least permeable capillaries in the body
No barrier around hypothalamus because it needs to sample blood level compositions to
maintain homeostasis (vomiting center another area with no BBB)