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The Central Nervous System
Anatomy and Physiology Website Exit Project
103
Anatomy
12th Grade
06/20/2010

Additional Anatomy Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

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Definition

Degenerative brain disease resulting in progressive loss of memory and motor control, and increasing dementia.

 

 

Term

Amygdala

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Definition

A ganglion of the limbic system adjoining the temporal lobe of the brain and involved in emotions of fear and aggression.

 

 

Term

Anencephaly

 

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Definition

Congenital absence of all or a major part of the brain.

 

 

Term

Arachnoid Mater

 

Definition
Web-like middle layer of the three meninges.
Term
Association Fibers
Definition

Functional areas of the cerebral cortex that act mainly to integrate diverse information for purposeful action.

Term
Aura
Definition

A sensation, as of a cold breeze or a bright light that precedes the onset of certain disorders, such as an epileptic seizure or an attack of migraine.

Term
Basal Nuclei (basal ganglia)
Definition
Specific gray matter areas located deep within the white matter of the cerebral hemispheres.
Term
Blood-Brain Barrier
Definition

Mechanism that inhibits passage of materials from the blood into brain tissues; reflects relative impermeability of brain capillaries.

Term

Brain

 

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Definition

The part of the central nervous system enclosed in the cranium of humans and other vertebrates, consisting of a soft, convoluted mass of gray and white matter and serving to control and coordinate the mental and physical actions.

Term

Brain Death

 

Definition
State of irreversible coma, even though life-support measures may have restored other body organs.
Term

Brain Stem

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Definition
Collectively the midbrain, pons, and medulla of the brain.
Term

Broca’s Area

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Definition

An area located in the frontal lobe usually of the left cerebral hemisphere and associated with the motor control of speech.

Term
Brodmann Area
Definition

One of the several structurally distinguishable and presumably functionally distinct regions into which the cortex of each cerebral hemisphere can be divided.

Term

Central Nervous System (CNS)

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Definition
Brain and spinal cord.
Term
Cephalization
Definition

An elaboration of the rostral, or anterior, portion of the central nervous system, along with an increase in the number of neurons in the head.

Term

Cerebellum

 

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Definition

Brain region most involved in producing smooth, coordinated skeletal muscle activity.

Term

Cerebral Aqueduct

 

Definition
The slender cavity of the midbrain that connects the third and fourth ventricles.
Term

Cerebral Cortex

 

 

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Definition
The outer gray matter region of the cerebral hemispheres.
Term

Cerebral Dominance

 

Definition
Designates the hemisphere that is dominant for language.
Term
Cerebral Hemisphere
Definition

Either of the rounded halves of the cerebrum of the brain divided laterally by a deep fissure and connected at the bottom by the corpus callosum.

Term

Cerebral Palsy

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Definition

Neuromuscular disability in which voluntary muscles are poorly controlled or paralyzed as a result of brain damage.

Term

Cerebral White Matter

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Definition

Consists largely of myelinated fibers bundled into large tracts; provides for communication between cerebral areas and lower CNS centers.

Term

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

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Definition

Plasma-like fluid that fills the cavities of the CNS and surrounds the CNS externally; protects the brain and spinal cord.

Term

Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVA)

Definition

Condition in which brain tissue is deprived of a blood supply, as in blockage of a cerebral blood vessel; a stroke.

 

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Term
Cerebrum
Definition

The cerebral hemispheres and the structures of the diencephalon.

Term

Choroid Plexus

 

Definition

A capillary knot that protrudes into a brain ventricle; involved in forming cerebrospinal fluid.

Term
Coma
Definition

Total unresponsiveness to sensory stimuli for an extended period of time.

Term
Commissures
Definition

Connect corresponding gray areas of the two hemispheres, enabling them to function as a coordinated whole.

Term
Concussion
Definition

An alteration in brain function, usually temporary, following a blow to the head.

Term
Consciousness
Definition

The ability to perceive, communicate, remember, understand, appreciate, and initiate voluntary movements.

Term
Contusion
Definition

An injury in which the skin is not broken, often characterized by ruptured blood vessels and discolorations; a bruise.

Term
Corona Radiata
Definition
Crown-like arrangement of nerve fibers radiating from the internal capsule of the brain to every part of the cerebral cortex.
Term

Diencephalon (interbrain)

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Definition
That part of the forebrain between the cerebral hemispheres and the midbrain including the thalamus, the epithalamus, and the hypothalamus.
Term
Dorsal Root Ganglion
Definition
Peripheral collection of cell bodies of first-order afferent neurons whose central axons enter the spinal cord.
Term
Dura Mater
Definition
Outermost and toughest of the three membranes (meninges) covering the brain and spinal cord.
Term

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

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Definition

Graphic record of the electrical activity of nerve cells in the brain.

Term

Epidural Space

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Definition
Area between the bony vertebrae and the dura mater of the spinal cord.
Term
Epileptic Seizures
Definition
Abnormal electrical discharges of groups of brain neurons, during which no other messages can get through.
Term
Epithalamus
Definition
Most dorsal portion of the diencephalon; forms the roof of the third ventricle with the pineal gland extending from its posterior border.
Term
Fissure
Definition

The deepest depressions or inward folds on the brain.

Term
Frontal Eye Field
Definition
Located partially in and anterior to the premotor cortex and superior to Broca’s area and controls voluntary movement of the eyes.
Term
Gyri
Definition

An outward fold of the surface of the cerebral cortex.

Term
Gustatory Cortex
Definition
Region involved in the perception of taste stimuli and is located in the insula just deep to the temporal lobe.
Term

Hippocampus

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Definition

Limbic system structure that plays a role in converting new information into long-term memories.

Term
Huntington’s Disease
Definition
Hereditary disorder leading to degeneration of the basal nuclei and the cerebral cortex.
Term

Hypothalamus

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Definition
Region of the diencephalon forming the floor of the third ventricle of the brain.
Term
Infundibulum
Definition
A stalk of tissue that connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus.
Term
Insomnia
Definition
Chronic inability to fall asleep or remain asleep for an adequate length of time.
Term
Insula
Definition
Lobe of the cerebral cortex that is buried in the lateral sulcus beneath portions of the parietal, frontal, and temporal lobes.
Term
Internal Capsule
Definition
Band of projection fibers that runs between the basal nuclei and the thalamus.
Term
Ischemia
Definition

Local decrease in blood supply.

Term
Lateralization
Definition

Functional specialization of the brain, with some skills, as language, occurring primarily in the left hemisphere and others, as the perception of visual and spatial relationships, occurring primarily in the right hemisphere.

Term

Lateral Ventricles

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Definition
Large C-shaped chambers that reflect the pattern of cerebral growth.
Term

Limbic System

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Definition
Functional brain system involved in emotional response and memory formation.
Term

Longitudinal Fissure

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Definition
Separates the cerebral hemispheres medially.
Term
Long-Term Memory
Definition
Information stored in the brain and retrievable over a long period of time, often over the entire life span of the individual.
Term
Medulla
Definition
Central portion of certain organs.
Term

Medulla Oblongata

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Definition
Inferior-most part of the brain stem.
Term
Memory
Definition
The storage and retrieval of information.
Term
Meninges
Definition
Protective coverings of the central nervous system; from the most external to the most internal, the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
Term
Mesencephalon (midbrain)
Definition

One of the three primary vesicles of the developing brains; becomes the midbrain.

Term
Metencephalon (afterbrain)
Definition
A secondary brain vesicle; anterior portion of the rhombencephalon of the developing brain; becomes the pons and the cerebellum.
Term

Midbrain

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Definition
Region of the brain stem between the diencephalon and the pons.
Term
Motor Area
Definition
Functional areas in the cerebral cortex that control voluntary motor functions.
Term

Myelencephalon (spinal brain)

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Definition
A secondary brain vesicle; lower part of the developing hindbrain, especially the medulla oblongata.
Term
Narcolepsy
Definition
A disorder characterized by sudden and uncontrollable, though often brief, attacks of deep sleep, sometimes accompanied by paralysis and hallucinations.
Term

Neural Tube

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Definition

Fetal structure which gives rise to the brain, spinal cord, and associated neural structures, formed from ectoderm by day 23 of embryonic development.

Term
Paralysis
Definition
Loss of power of voluntary movement in a muscle through injury or through disease of its nerve supply.
Term
Paraplegia
Definition
Complete paralysis of the lower half of the body including both legs, usually caused by damage to the spinal cord.
Term
Paresthesias
Definition

A sensation of pricking, tingling, or creeping on the skin having no objective cause and usually associated with injury or irritation of a sensory nerve or nerve root.

Term

Parkinson’s Disease

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Definition
Neurodegenerative disorder of the basal nuclei due to insufficient secretion of the neurotransmitter dopamine; symptoms include tremor and rigid movement.
Term
Pia Mater
Definition

The delicate, fibrous, and highly vascular membrane forming the innermost of the three coverings of the brain and spinal cord.

Term

Pituitary Gland

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Definition
Neuroendocrine gland located beneath the brain that serves a variety of functions including regulation of gonads, thyroid, adrenal cortex, lactation, and water balance.
Term

Pons

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Definition
The part of the brain stem connecting the medulla with the midbrain, providing linkage between upper and lower levels of the central nervous system.
Term
Postpolio Syndrome
Definition
A condition that affects former poliomyelitis patients long after recovery from the disease and that is characterized by muscle weakness, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue.
Term
Premotor Cortex
Definition

The area that controls learned motor skills of a repetitious or patterned nature, such as playing a musical instrument and typing.

Term
Primary Visual Cortex
Definition
The largest of all cortical sensory areas and receives visual information that originates on the retina of the eye.
Term
Prosencephalon (forebrain)
Definition

The most anterior of the three primary regions of the embryonic brain, from which the telencephalon and diencephalon develop.

Term
Psychosomatic Illnesses
Definition

A disorder with physical symptoms that may be produced in part by stress or other supposedly psychological, non-physical factors.

Term
Purkinje Cells
Definition
A large, drop-shaped, densely branching neuron that is the characteristic cell of the cerebellar cortex.

Term
Pyramidal Cell
Definition
Large neurons located in gyri that allow for conscious control of the precise or skilled voluntary movements that occur within our skeletal muscles.
Term
Pyramidal (corticospinal) Tracts
Definition

Major motor pathways concerned with voluntary movement; descend from cells in the frontal lobes of each cerebral hemisphere.

Term

 Quadriplegia

 

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Definition

Paralysis of all four limbs or of the entire body below the neck.

Term
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep
Definition
Stage of sleep in which rapid eye movements, an alert EEG pattern, and dreaming occur.
Term
Reticular Formation
Definition
Functional system that spans the brains tem; involved in regulating sensory input to the cerebral cortex, cortical arousal, and control of motor behavior.
Term
Rhinencephalon
Definition
The part of the cerebrum containing the olfactory structures.
Term
Rhombencephalon (hindbrain)
Definition
Caudal portion of the developing brain; constricts to form the metencephalon and myelencephalon; includes the pons, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata.
Term
Sensory Area
Definition
Functional areas of the cerebral cortex that provide for conscious awareness of sensation.
Term
Short-Term Memory
Definition

The phase of the memory process in which stimuli that have been recognized and registered are stored briefly.

Term

Sleep Apnea

 

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Definition

A temporary suspension of breathing occurring repeatedly during sleep that often affects overweight people or those having an obstruction in the breathing tract, an abnormally small throat opening, or a neurological disorder.

Term
Somatosensory Association Cortex
Definition

The major function of this area is to integrate sensory inputs (temperature, pressure, and so forth) relayed to it via the primary somatosensory cortex to produce an understanding of an object being felt.

Term
Somatotopy
Definition
The correspondence of receptors in regions or parts of the body via respective nerve fibers to specific functional areas of the cerebral cortex.
Term
Spatial Discrimination
Definition
The ability of neurons to identify the site or pattern of stimulation.
Term

Spinal Cord

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Definition
The bundle of nervous tissue that runs from the brain to the first to third lumbar vertebrae and provides a conduction pathway to and from the brain.
Term

Spinal Nerves

 

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Definition

The 31 nerve pairs that arise from the spinal cord.

Term
Sulcus
Definition
A furrow on the brain, less deep than a fissure.
Term
Syncope
Definition
A brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary deficiency of oxygen in the brain.
Term

Telencephalon (endbrain)

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Definition
Anterior subdivision of the primary forebrain that develops into olfactory lobes, cerebral cortex, and basal nuclei.
Term

Thalamus

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Definition
A mass of gray matter in the diencephalon of the brain.
Term
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Definition
A temporary blockage of the blood supply to the brain caused by a blood clot and usually lasting ten minutes or less, during which dizziness, blurring of vision, numbness on one side of the body, and other symptoms of a stroke may occur.
Term
Transverse Cerebral Fissure
Definition
Separates the cerebral hemispheres from the cerebellum below.
Term
Ventricles
Definition
Cavities in the brain.
Term
Visual Association Area
Definition
Uses past visual experiences to interpret visual stimuli (color, form, and movement).
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