Brainstem
Oldest part of the Brain, contains the automatic survival functions
Medulla Oblongata
The lowermost part of the brain in vertebrates. Controls involuntary vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing
Pons
Sits just above the Medulla, helps coordinate movement
Reticular Formation
nerve network in the brainstem, plays important role in controlling arousal functions
Thalamus
directs messages to sensory receiving areas in cortex, transmits to medulla. Located at the top of the brain
Limbic System
doughnut shaped system of neural structures, includes hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus. Associated with emotions and drives
Amygdala
neural clusters in limbic system,
linked to emotion
Hippocampus
part of limbic system, linked to memory
Hypothalamus
part of limbic system, directs maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern endocrine system through pituitary gland, linked to emotion and reward
Cerebral Cortex
Fabric of interconnected neural cells that cover the hemispheres, ultimate control and information processing center
Corpus Callosum
Axon fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the brain, allows interaction
Cerebellum
little brain", attached to back of brainstem, coordinates voluntary movement and balance
Pituitary Gland
protrudes at base of brain, master endocrine gland, releases hormones related to growing
Spinal Cord
pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from the brain, controls simple reflexes
Glial Cells
support nourish, and protect the neurons; the "glue
Frontal Lobe
front of brain, controls speaking, muscle movements, planning, and judgements
Parietal Lobe
top of the brain, receives sensory inputs for body position and touch
Occipital Lobe
Back of brain, includes visual areas, which receive visual information from the opposite "field
Visual Cortex
In occipital lobe, receives visual information from opposite visual field
Motor Cortex
rear of frontal lobe, in front of sensory cortex, controls voluntary movement
Temporal Lobe
on the sides of the brain, includes auditory areas, which receive auditory information primarily from the opposite ear
Auditory Cortex
In temporal lobe, performs basic functions of hearing
Sensory Cortex
Located in the front of the Parietal Lobe, registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
Association Areas
areas of cerebral cortex not involved in primary motor or sensory functions, involved in learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
Broca's Area
Area of Frontal Lobe, controls language expression -- directs muscle movements involved in speech
Wernicke's Area
Area of Temporal Lobe, controls language reception -- involved in language comprehension and expression
Angular Gyrus
Area of Parietal Lobe, related to language, math, and cognition
lesion
tissue destruction, naturally or experimentally caused destruction of certain parts of the brain
Dendrite
bushy, branching extensions off a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body (soma)
Neuron
a nerve cell, the basic building block of the nervous system
axon
the extension of the neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands
Myelin Sheath
a layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the axons of neurons, enables faster transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next
action potential
a neural impulse, a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. Generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axon's membrane
threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrites or cell body of the receiving neruon
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that traverse he synaptic gap between neurons; when released by sending neurons, they travel across the synaptic gap
Agonist
drug that mimics neurotransmitters, activates
Antagonist
drug that blocks neurotransmitters, doesn't activate
Peripheral Nervous System
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
Central Nervous System
The brain and spinal cord
Autonomic Nervous System
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (involuntary movements)
Skeletal Nervous System
the division of the PNS that controls the body's skeletal muscles (also known as somatic)
Sympathetic Nervous System
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
Parasympathetic Nervous System
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy