Central Nervous System

Central Nervous System

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: BRAIN

CEREBRUM

•Largest part of the brain
•Divided into R and L hemispheres
by a deep grove called the
longitudinal fissure
•Convolutions—elevated folds on
the surface of the cerebrum that
increase surface area of the brain
•Divided into four lobes: Frontal;
Parietal; Occipital and Temporal

FUNCTIONS OF THE CEREBRUM

• Frontal Lobe: Emotions; Personality;

Morality; Intellect; Speech; Smell

• Parietal Lobe: Receives and interprets

nerve impulses from sensory receptors
for pain, touch, heat and cold

• Occipital Lobe: houses the visual area,

controlling eyesight

• Temporal Lobe: Hearing, facial

recognition

• Cerebral Cortex: Controls conscious

thought, judgment, memory,
reasoning and willpower

Diencephalon

• Located between the cerebrum and midbrain
• Two major structures: thalamus and

hypothalamus

• Vital functions of the hypothalamus:
Autonomic Nervous Control
Cardiovascular Control
Temperature Control
Appetite Control
Sleep Control

Limbic System

•Located in the center of the
brain
•Surrounds the brain stem
•Complex set of structures that
includes the hypothalamus,
hippocampus, amygdala, and
several other nearby areas
•Involved with motivation,
emotion, mood and memory

Cerebellum

•Located behind the pons and
below the cerebrum
•Composed of two hemispheres
•Controls all body functions related
to skeletal muscles, including:

• Balance
• Muscle Tone
• Coordination of muscle movements

Brain Stem

•Made up of PONS, MEDULLA,
and MIDBRAIN
•Controls the flow of messages
between the brain and the body
•Controls basic body functions
such as breathing, swallowing,
heart rate, blood pressure,
consciousness, and whether one
is awake or sleepy

Meninges

•Three membranes that line the
skull and vertebral canal and
protect the brain and spinal cord
•Dura mater: tough outermost
meningeal layer that lines the
skull
•Arachnoid: middle layer of the
meninges that resembles a fine
cobweb
•Pia Mater: delicate inner layer

Ventricles of the Brain

•Brain has 4 cavities filled with
cerebrospinal fluid called cerebral
ventricles
•Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear, colorless fluid
that acts as a shock absorber and a source
of nutrients for the brain
•A network of blood vessels lining the
cerebral ventricles called the choroid
plexus produces cerebrospinal fluid

Multiple Choice

Which lobe of the brain coordinates voluntary muscle movement?

• frontal

• occipital

• parietal

• temporal

Multiple Choice

The membrane covering the brain is known as the

• cerebral aqueduct

• choroid plexus.

• meninges.

• ventricles.

Multiple Choice

Which area of the brain contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata?

• diencephalon

• cerebellum

• brain stem

• cerebrum

Multiple Choice

Which phrase best describes the dura mater meningeal layer?

• cerebrospinal fluid that acts as a liquid shock absorber

• delicate innermost layer that clings to the brain

• tough, durable outer membrane

• cobweb-like middle membrane

Multiple Choice

A patient sustains a fall while getting out of the shower. Tests reveal damage to the inner most meningeal layer. What structure was damaged?

• dura mater

• arachnoid

• ventricles

• pia mater

Multiple Choice

What portion of the brain stem controls heartbeat and respiration?

• diencephalon

• hypothalamus

• medulla

• pons

Multiple Choice

Jim sustained significant brain damage to the middle meningeal layer. Which layer of the brain was damaged?

• arachnoid

• pia mater

• ventricles

• dura mater

Multiple Choice

Liz has trouble with appetite control, temperature regulation, and maintaining a healthy weight. Which area of the brain is affected?

• hypothalamus

• cerebellum

• brain stem

• cerebrum

Multiple Choice

Kaleb was involved in an ATV accident and sustained a severe injury to the brain and spinal cord. The medical staff at the trauma center understands this injury may cause which substance to leak into surrounding tissues?

• cerebrospinal fluid

• synovial fluid

• chyme

• thalamus.

Multiple Choice

Planning, recalling information, and decision-making are all functions of the:

• hypothalamus.

• cerebellum.

• brain stem.

• cerebrum.

Multiple Choice

The part of the brain located below the cerebrum is the:

• cerebellum.

• diencephalon.

• hypothalamus

• thalamus.