NeuroscienceLesson 1 of 2 in the course Anatomy of the Nervous System

Central Nervous System: Brain Regions, Cortical Areas, and Spinal Pathways

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord. This lesson introduces the main regions of the brain and the basic organization of the cerebrum, the largest brain region.

The brain and spinal cord are the principal organs of the nervous system. The brain supports conscious experience and many forms of information processing. The spinal cord links the brain with the body and can integrate some sensory and motor pathways to coordinate reflexes.

All flashcards

What is the striatum?
The structure formed by the caudate nucleus and putamen.
What is lateralization?
The tendency for some functions to be more associated with one hemisphere, without being exclusive to it.
What does Broca’s area contribute to?
It controls movements involved in speech production and is usually in the left hemisphere.
What information do the superior colliculi integrate?
Visual, auditory, and somatosensory information about space.
What is the alar plate associated with in spinal cord development?
It gives rise to neurons that receive sensory input.

Quiz questions

  1. Which cerebral lobe lies posterior to the central sulcus and superior to the lateral sulcus?Answer: The parietal lobe.
  2. How does the direct pathway of the basal nuclei generally affect movement?Answer: It reduces thalamic inhibition, making movement more likely.
  3. Which major sensory pathway is an exception to the usual relay through the thalamus before reaching the cortex?Answer: The olfactory pathway.
  4. What does the cerebellum compare to help coordinate movement?Answer: A copy of the motor command and sensory feedback from the body.
  5. Which statement correctly describes the spinal nerve roots?Answer: Dorsal roots carry sensory input into the cord; ventral roots carry motor output away.

Based on Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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