Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Chapter Study Guide
Chapter 12 - The Central Nervous System

After completing this chapter, you should have mastered the objectives listed below.

1. This chapter begins with a discussion of brain development.  Examine Figures 12.1, 12.2  and 12.3 to get a feel for how the neural tube expands and folds during brain development.  Especially important are columns (d) and (e) in Figure 12.2.  By the time you finish this chapter, you should be able to re-create these columns from memory.

2. Identify and contrast the distribution of gray matter/white matter; nuclei/ganglia; nerves/tracts in the CNS and PNS.

3 . Describe the ventricles of the brain as to location, structure and number. Tell how they are connected to and separated from each other.

4. Locate the following major parts of the brain and briefly describe the major functions and structures of each of the following: cerebral hemispheres, the cerebrum, cerebral cortex; diencephalon, thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus; brain stem, midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata; cerebellum.  (See Table 12.1 on pg. 409.)

5. The cerebral hemispheres: where are they, why are they folded, what are sulci, gyri and fissures?

·  Name and locate the 5 lobes of each cerebral hemisphere.

·  Locate and describe the functions of the transverse fissure, longitudinal fissure and the corpus callosum.

·  Differentiate between cortex, white matter and basal nuclei as to location and function.

·  Describe the main motor and sensory portions of the cerebral cortex.

·  Describe and compare the motor and somatosensory homunculi.  Explain why they are "deformed" anatomically.

·  Discuss consequences of damage to the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.

·  Name and locate the 7 sensory areas of the sensory cortex.  Give a one sentence description of the function of each.

·  Define the role of association areas of the cerebral cortex.

·  Compare lateralization, contralateral, ipsilateral.

·  Define the roles of the following: association, commissural and projection fibers.


6. Locate the diencephalon and the three paired structures of which it is composed.

·  In a sentence, explain why the thalamus is referred to as the "gateway" to the cerebral cortex.

·  Briefly list the functions of the hypothalamus.

·  List two structures found in the epithalamus.  What does "epi" mean?


7. List the three main functions of the brain stem.

·  Explain the relationship of the midbrain to Parkinson's disease.

·  In a sentence, explain the meaning of "pons" and why that structure is so named.

·  Briefly explain the significance of decussation of the pyramids in the medulla oblongata.

·  Discuss the "crucial role" of the medulla oblongata as an autonomic reflex center.  Define "autonomic."


8. Locate the cerebellum and summarize in a sentence its function.

·  Explain why the term "arbor vitae" is associated with the cerebellum.

·  Explain why the function of the cerebellum is said to be ipsilateral.

·  Explain how the cerebellum functions as an "automatic pilot."


9. Contrast the functions of the reticular formation and the limbic system.

·  Tell what is RAS, the functional brain system it is part of, and why we may be glad we have it.

·  Tell which functional brain system is our "emotional brain."


10.  Discuss the 4 ways in which the brain is protected.

·  Name the 3 meninges, the order in which they occur and their functions.  Describe the functions of the following: dural sinuses. falx cerebri, subarachnoid space and arachnoid villi.  Explain the meanings of "meningitis" and "encephalitis."

·  Describe the function of cerebrospinal fluid, where it comes from and where it circulates.  Include a discussion of the choroid plexus.   Explain Figures 12.25 & 12.26.  Explain "hydrocephalus."

·  Describe the function (and failures) of the blood-brain barrier and explain why it isn't uniform through the brain.


11 Contrast concussions and contusions.

·  Describe the effects of hemorrhage and edema to the brain.

·  Contrast a cerebrovascular accident, an embolus, an aneurysm, a TIA.

·  Define ischemia.

·  Summarize the effect of glutamate following a stroke.


12. Briefly compare Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease as to their causes and symptoms.

13. Describe the structure of the spinal cord including the distribution of gray and white matter.

·  Describe cauda equina, conus medullaris, and filum terminale.

·  Tell where cerebrospinal fluid is found, where the spinal cord ends, and where a lumbar tap is done.

·  The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord introduces a lot of important new terms.  Study this section until you can correctly interpret the labeled structures in Figures 12.31 (both a and b)  and Figure 12.32.

·  Briefly explain the location and general function of funiculi.

 

14. Figures 12.34 and 12.35 summarize a lot of what we are learning.  Trace the ascending pathways through 1st, 2nd and 3rd order neurons and the descending pathways through the upper and lower motor neurons.  You aren’t ask to remember the names of the various tracts but you should understand the pathways, where they begin, where they end, what they accomplish.


15. Define the following:  paralysis, flaccid paralysis, spastic paralysis, paraplegia, quadriplegia, hemiplegia and spinal shock.

16. Describe what the polio virus destroys.   Explain what is believed to lead to postpolio syndrome.

17. Briefly explain ALS.

18.  Tell the main roles of the hippocampus and amygdala.

19. Explain why premature babies have problems controlling loss of body heat.

20. Tell the correlation between neuromuscular coordination and myelination.

21.  View the two Videos!  from the Human Cadaver Dissection Series which are listed under videos of the nervous system.  These videos include information about both the central (Ch. 12) and peripheral (Ch. 13) nervous system.  For now, focus on the pieces about the brain and spinal cord.  The cranial and spinal nerves are covered in Chapter 14. and you should view the videos again after studying Ch. 14.

22.  At the A&P Place, click on WebQuests and visit "Brain Land"

Optional: Look at some neat posters of nervous tissue.

I will rely on lectures, labs and any or all of the above material when testing on this chapter.

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