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The Adult Brain
Ranges from 750 cc to 2100 cc
Contains almost 97% of the body’s neural tissue
Average weight about 1.4 kg (3 lb)
Regions
Cerebrum
Cerebellum
Diencephalon
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Brain Stem
Mesencephalon (Midbrain)
Pons
Medulla oblongata
Ventricles of the Brain
Ventricles are lined with ependymal cells and contain CSF
Each cerebral hemisphere contains one large lateral ventricle
Separated by a thin medial partition (septum pellucidum)
Third ventricle
Ventricle of the diencephalon
Lateral ventricles communicate
with third ventricle via the
interventricular foramen
(foramen of Monro)
Fourth ventricle
Extends into medulla oblongata
Becomes continuous with
central canal of the spinal cord
Connects with third ventricle
via narrow canal in
mesencephalon
The aqueduct of midbrain
The Brain Stem
Processes information between
Spinal cord and cerebrum or cerebellum
Includes
Mesencephalon (Midbrain)
Pons
Medulla oblongata
The Brain Stem
Mesencephalon
Also called midbrain
Processes sight, sound, and associated
reflexes
Maintains consciousness
Pons
Connects cerebellum to brain stem
Is involved in somatic and visceral
motor control
Medulla oblongata
Connects brain to spinal cord
Relays information
Regulates autonomic functions:
heart rate, blood pressure,
and digestion
Diencephalon
Located under cerebrum and
cerebellum
Links cerebrum with brain stem
Thalamus
Relays and processes sensory
information
Hypothalamus
Hormone production
Emotion
Autonomic function
Pituitary gland
Major endocrine gland
Connected to hypothalamus
Via infundibulum (stalk)
Interfaces nervous and endocrine systems
Cerebellum
Second largest part of brain
Coordinates repetitive body movements
Two hemispheres
Covered with cerebellar cortex
Brain – Part II
Cerebrum
Largest part of brain
Controls higher mental functions
Divided into left and right cerebral hemispheres
Surface layer of gray matter (neural cortex)
Neural cortex
Also called cerebral cortex
Folded surface increases surface area
Elevated ridges (gyri)
Shallow depressions (sulci)
Deep grooves (fissures)
Structures of the Cerebrum
Gyri of neural cortex
Increase surface area (number of cortical
neurons)
Insula (island) of cortex
Lies medial to lateral sulcus
Longitudinal fissure
Separates cerebral hemispheres
Lobes
Divisions of hemispheres
Central sulcus divides
Anterior frontal lobe from posterior parietal
lobe
Lateral sulcus divides
Frontal lobe from temporal lobe
Parieto‐occipital sulcus divides
Parietal lobe from occipital lobe
Three Functional Principles of the Cerebrum
Each cerebral hemisphere receives sensory
information from, and sends motor commands to, the
opposite side of the body
The two hemispheres have different functions,
although their structures are alike
Correspondence between a specific function and a
specific region of cerebral cortex is not precise
Fiber Tracts in White Matter
Association fibers
Connections within one hemisphere:
Connect one gyrus to another
Connect frontal lobe to other lobes in
same hemisphere
Commissural fibers
Bands of fibers connecting two hemispheres:
Corpus callosum
Anterior commissure
Projection fibers
Pass through diencephalon
Link cerebral cortex with diencephalon, brain
stem, cerebellum, and spinal cord
The Basal Nuclei
Also called cerebral nuclei
Masses of gray matter
Are embedded in white matter of cerebrum
Involved with:
The subconscious control of skeletal muscle tone
The coordination of learned movement patterns (walking, lifting)
Consists of:
Caudate nucleus
Curving, slender tail
Lentiform nucleus
Globus pallidus
Putamen
Cerebral Cortex
Thin (2–4 mm) superficial layer of gray matter Functional Areas of the Cerebral Cortex
40% of the mass of the brain The three types of functional areas are:
Site of conscious mind: awareness, sensory Motor areas—control voluntary movement
perception, voluntary motor initiation, Sensory areas—conscious awareness of
communication, memory storage, understanding sensation
Each hemisphere connects to contralateral side of Association areas—integrate diverse
the body information
There is lateralization of cortical function in the Conscious behavior involves the entire cortex
hemispheres
Motor Areas
Primary (somatic) motor cortex
Premotor cortex
Broca’s area
Frontal eye field
Primary Motor Cortex
Allows conscious control of
precise, skilled, voluntary
movements
Motor homunculi: upside‐down
caricatures representing the
motor innervation of body regions
Premotor Cortex
Anterior to the precentral gyrus
Controls learned, repetitious, or patterned motor skills
Coordinates simultaneous or sequential actions
Involved in the planning of movements that depend on sensory feedback
Broca’s Area
Anterior to the inferior region of the
premotor area
Present in one hemisphere (usually the
left)
A motor speech area that directs muscles
of the tongue
Is active as one prepares to speak
Frontal Eye Field
Anterior to the premotor cortex and
superior to Broca’s area
Controls voluntary eye movements
Sensory Areas
Primary somatosensory cortex
Somatosensory association cortex
Visual areas
Auditory areas
Olfactory cortex
Gustatory cortex
Visceral sensory area
Vestibular cortex
Functional Brain Systems
Networks of neurons that work together
and span wide areas of the brain
Limbic system
Reticular formation
Limbic System
Structures on the medial aspects of
cerebral hemispheres and diencephalon
Includes parts of the diencephalon and
some cerebral structures that encircle
the brain stem
Emotional or affective brain
Recognizes angry or fearful facial expressions, assesses danger, and elicits the fear response
Plays a role in expressing emotions via gestures, and resolves mental conflict
Puts emotional responses to odors
Example: skunks smell bad
Limbic System: Emotion and Cognition
The limbic system interacts with the prefrontal lobes, therefore:
We can react emotionally to things we consciously understand to be happening
We are consciously aware of emotional richness in our lives
Hippocampus and amygdala—play a role in memory
Reticular Formation
Three broad columns along the length of the brain stem
Has far‐flung axonal connections with hypothalamus,
thalamus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and spinal cord
Reticular Formation: RAS and Motor Function
RAS (Reticular Activating System)
Sends impulses to the cerebral cortex to keep it
conscious and alert
Filters out repetitive and weak stimuli (~99% of all
stimuli!)
Severe injury results in permanent unconsciousness
(coma)
Motor function
Helps control coarse limb movements
Reticular autonomic centers regulate visceral motor
functions
Vasomotor
Cardiac
Respiratory centers