NEUROANATOMY

Basic Anatomy The central nervous system processes all information received from the outside world and controls all reactions to the outside world. It is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. We will be examining the basic anatomy of the brain and spinal cord.

Let’s Dig Into Brain Anatomy

The Brain The Brain is the control centre of the nervous system, where movement, emotions, personality, and memory is focused. It is composed of four basic parts: The Cerebrum, the Diencephalon, The Brainstem, and the Cerebellum

The Cerebrum The Cerebrum (cerebral cortex) is the area of higher level thinking Memory, Personality, Logic, Reasoning, Creativity, and Decision making is focused here

The Diencephalon The Diencephalon is the “Inner Brain”, composed of the Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Epithalamus, Pineal Gland The Thalamus “Edits” what information is processed to the conscious brain in the cerebrum, but research show this information is still sent to the cortex

Diencephalon (Continued) The Hypothalamus is responsible for the instinctual drives of the body (Four F’s of Life) as well as hormonal and regulatory roles

The Brainstem The Brainstem is responsible for processing of higher level signals, and the running the systems of the body such as heart rate, breathing rate, wakefulness cycle and sleep.

Cerebellum The Cerebellum is responsible for motor memory and programming of your muscles for various actions.

Cerebellum: Arbor Vitae

The Spinal Cord The Spinal Cord sends signals from the brain, relays signals from the body, but also completes simple reflex arcs itself.

Spinal Cord (Cont.d) The Spinal cord will control the body (extremities) response to stimuli Simple Reflex Arcs are completed by the spinal cord, without the Brain The Spinal Cord receives Sensory (Afferent) Neurons and then sends signals to Efferent (Motor) Neurons. (A to C to E)

Nervous Response

Phineas Gage

Saggital Section of Brain Central Sulcus Thalamus Thalamus Corpus Callosum Hypothalamus Cerebellum Pituitary Gland Medulla Oblongata

Pig Saggital Section