The Brain Anatomy

The Brain Anatomy

1. The Forebrain

   • Telencephalon
     • Cerebral cortex- Surrounds cerebral hemsipheres like bark
       • Sulci- a small groove in the surface of the cerebral hemisphere
       • Fissures- Major grooves in the surface of the brain
       • Gyri- bulges between sulci and fissures
     • Limbic System
       • Hippocampus- involved in learning and memory
       • Amygdala- defensive responses, reproductive behaviors, and emotional memories
       • Fornix- a bundle of axons that connects the hippocampus to other regions of the brain
       • Mammilary bodies- protrusions at the base of the brain that contain parts of the hypothalamus. Involved in memory formation
     • Basal Ganglia- a collection of subcortical nuclei in the forebrain, which lie beneath the anterior portion of the lateral ventricles. responsible for voluntary motor control, procedural learning, eye movement, and cognitive, emotional functions.
   • Diencephalon
     • Thalamus- largest portion of the diencephalon. Contains nuclei that project information to specific regions of the cerebral cortex and receive information from
     • Hypothalamus- group of nuclei involved in fighting, fleeing, feeding, and reproduction, as well as regulation of the autonomic nervous system, and control the anterior and posterior pituitary glands

2. The Midbrain- surrounds the cerebral aqueduct and contains two major parts

   • Mesencephalon
     • Tectum- on the dorsal part of the mesencephalon
       • Superior colliculi- involved in hearing
       • Inferior colliculi-involved in vision
     • Tegmentum- ventral part of the midbrain. Neural network involved in controlling the sleep cycle

3. The Hindbrain

   • Metencephalon
     • Cerebellum- is involved in motor concentration and is programmable
     • Pons- a large bulge in the brain stem. Major role in sleep and arosal
   • Myelencephalon
     • Medulla oblongata- includes nuclei that control vital functions such as regulation of the cariovascular system , respiration, and skeletal muscle tonus