THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: PART B 12 THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: PART B

Lateralization of Cortical Function Division of labor between hemispheres Cerebral dominance Designates the hemisphere dominant for language (left hemisphere in 90% of people)

Lateralization of Cortical Function Left hemisphere Controls language, math, and logic Right hemisphere Insight, visual-spatial skills, intuition, and artistic skills Left and right hemispheres communicate via fiber tracts in the cerebral white matter

Cerebral White Matter Myelinated fibers and their tracts Responsible for communication Commissures (in corpus callosum)—connect gray matter of the two hemispheres Association fibers—connect different parts of the same hemisphere Projection fibers—(corona radiata) connect the hemispheres with lower brain or spinal cord

Commissural fibers (corpus Longitudinal fissure callosum) Superior Lateral ventricle Association fibers Basal nuclei • Caudate Corona radiata • Putamen • Globus pallidus Fornix Internal capsule Thalamus Gray matter Third ventricle White matter Projection fibers Pons Decussation of pyramids Medulla oblongata (a) Figure 12.10a

Basal Nuclei (Ganglia) Subcortical nuclei Consists of the corpus striatum Functionally associated diencephalon and the midbrain

Fibers of corona radiata Caudate nucleus Thalamus Lentiform Tail of • Putamen • Globus pallidus (deep to putamen) Tail of caudate nucleus Corpus striatum Projection fibers run deep to lentiform nucleus (a) Figure 12.11a

Tail of caudate nucleus Third ventricle Inferior horn Anterior Cerebral cortex Cerebral white matter Corpus callosum Anterior horn of lateral ventricle Caudate nucleus Putamen Globus pallidus Lentiform nucleus Thalamus Tail of caudate nucleus Third ventricle Inferior horn of lateral ventricle (b) Posterior Figure 12.11b (1 of 2)

Cerebral cortex Cerebral white matter Corpus callosum Anterior horn of lateral ventricle Caudate nucleus Lentiform nucleus Thalamus Third ventricle Inferior horn of lateral ventricle (b) Figure 12.11b (2 of 2)

Functions of Basal Nuclei Though somewhat elusive, the following are thought to be functions of basal nuclei Influence muscular control Help regulate attention and cognition Regulate intensity of slow or stereotyped movements Inhibit antagonistic and unnecessary movements

Diencephalon Three paired structures Encloses the third ventricle Thalamus Hypothalamus Epithalamus Encloses the third ventricle PLAY Animation: Rotatable brain (sectioned)

Cerebral hemisphere Septum pellucidum Corpus callosum Interthalamic adhesion (intermediate mass of thalamus) Fornix Choroid plexus Thalamus (encloses third ventricle) Interven- tricular foramen Posterior commissure Pineal gland (part of epithalamus) Anterior commissure Corpora quadrigemina Mid- brain Hypothalamus Cerebral aqueduct Optic chiasma Arbor vitae (of cerebellum) Pituitary gland Fourth ventricle Mammillary body Choroid plexus Pons Cerebellum Medulla oblongata Spinal cord Figure 12.12

Thalamus 80% of diencephalon Superolateral walls of the third ventricle Connected by the interthalamic adhesion (intermediate mass) Contains several nuclei, named for their location Nuclei project and receive fibers from the cerebral cortex

Dorsal nuclei Medial Lateral dorsal Lateral posterior Pulvinar Anterior nuclear group Medial geniculate body Reticular nucleus Lateral geniculate body Ventral postero- lateral Ventral anterior Ventral lateral Ventral nuclei (a) The main thalamic nuclei. (The reticular nuclei that “cap” the thalamus laterally are depicted as curving translucent structures.) Figure 12.13a

Thalamic Function Gateway to the cerebral cortex Sorts, edits, and relays information Afferent impulses from all senses and all parts of the body Impulses from the hypothalamus for regulation of emotion and visceral function Impulses from the cerebellum and basal nuclei to help direct the motor cortices Mediates sensation, motor activities, cortical arousal, learning, and memory

Hypothalamus Forms the inferolateral walls of the third ventricle Contains many nuclei Example: mammillary bodies Paired anterior nuclei Olfactory relay stations Infundibulum—stalk that connects to the pituitary gland

Hypothalamic Function Autonomic control center for many visceral functions (e.g., blood pressure, rate and force of heartbeat, digestive tract motility) Center for emotional response: Involved in perception of pleasure, fear, and rage and in biological rhythms and drives

Hypothalamic Function Regulates body temperature, food intake, water balance, and thirst Regulates sleep and the sleep cycle Controls release of hormones by the anterior pituitary Produces posterior pituitary hormones

Epithalamus Most dorsal portion of the diencephalon; forms roof of the third ventricle Pineal gland—extends from the posterior border and secretes melatonin Melatonin—helps regulate sleep-wake cycles

Cerebral hemisphere Septum pellucidum Corpus callosum Interthalamic adhesion (intermediate mass of thalamus) Fornix Choroid plexus Thalamus (encloses third ventricle) Interven- tricular foramen Posterior commissure Pineal gland (part of epithalamus) Anterior commissure Corpora quadrigemina Mid- brain Hypothalamus Cerebral aqueduct Optic chiasma Arbor vitae (of cerebellum) Pituitary gland Fourth ventricle Mammillary body Choroid plexus Pons Cerebellum Medulla oblongata Spinal cord Figure 12.12

Brain Stem Three regions Midbrain Pons Medulla oblongata

Brain Stem Similar structure to spinal cord but contains embedded nuclei Controls automatic behaviors necessary for survival Contains fiber tracts connecting higher and lower neural centers Associated with 10 of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves

Frontal lobe Olfactory bulb (synapse point of cranial nerve I) Optic chiasma Optic nerve (II) Optic tract Mammillary body Midbrain Pons Temporal lobe Medulla oblongata Cerebellum Spinal cord Figure 12.14

Oculomotor nerve (III) Trochlear nerve (IV) View (a) Optic chiasma Optic nerve (II) Diencephalon Crus cerebri of cerebral peduncles (midbrain) • Thalamus • Hypothalamus Thalamus Mammillary body Diencephalon Hypothalamus Oculomotor nerve (III) Midbrain Pons Brainstem Trochlear nerve (IV) Medulla oblongata Trigeminal nerve (V) Middle cerebellar peduncle Pons Facial nerve (VII) Abducens nerve (VI) Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) Hypoglossal nerve (XII) Pyramid Vagus nerve (X) Ventral root of first cervical nerve Accessory nerve (XI) Decussation of pyramids Spinal cord (a) Ventral view Figure 12.15a

Superior cerebellar peduncle Pons Middle cerebellar peduncle Crus cerebri of cerebral peduncles (midbrain) Thalamus View (b) Infundibulum Superior colliculus Pituitary gland Inferior colliculus Trochlear nerve (IV) Trigeminal nerve (V) Superior cerebellar peduncle Pons Middle cerebellar peduncle Facial nerve (VII) Inferior cerebellar peduncle Abducens nerve (VI) Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) Olive Hypoglossal nerve (XII) Thalamus Vagus nerve (X) Diencephalon Hypothalamus Accessory nerve (XI) Midbrain Pons Brainstem Medulla oblongata (b) Left lateral view Figure 12.15b

• Superior cerebellar peduncle Pons • Middle cerebellar peduncle Thalamus View (c) Diencephalon Midbrain • Superior colliculus Corpora quadrigemina of tectum • Inferior colliculus • Trochlear nerve (IV) Pineal gland • Superior cerebellar peduncle Pons • Middle cerebellar peduncle Medulla oblongata Anterior wall of fourth ventricle • Inferior cerebellar peduncle • Facial nerve (VII) • Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) Choroid plexus (fourth ventricle) • Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) • Vagus nerve (X) • Accessory nerve (XI) Dorsal median sulcus Thalamus Dorsal root of first cervical nerve Diencephalon Hypothalamus Midbrain Pons Brainstem (c) Dorsal view Medulla oblongata Figure 12.15c

Midbrain Located between the diencephalon and the pons Cerebral peduncles Contain pyramidal motor tracts Cerebral aqueduct Channel between third and fourth ventricles

Pons Forms part of the anterior wall of the fourth ventricle Fibers of the pons Connect higher brain centers and the spinal cord Relay impulses between the motor cortex and the cerebellum Origin of cranial nerves V (trigeminal), VI (abducens), and VII (facial) Nuclei that help maintain normal rhythm of breathing

Medulla Oblongata Joins spinal cord at foramen magnum Forms part of the ventral wall of the fourth ventricle Contains a choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle Pyramids—two ventral longitudinal ridges formed by pyramidal tracts Decussation of the pyramids—crossover of the corticospinal tracts

Medulla Oblongata Inferior olivary nuclei—relay sensory information from muscles and joints to cerebellum Cranial nerves VIII, X, and XII are associated with the medulla Vestibular nuclear complex—mediates responses that maintain equilibrium Several nuclei (e.g., nucleus cuneatus and nucleus gracilis) relay sensory information

Medulla Oblongata Autonomic reflex centers Cardiovascular center Cardiac center adjusts force and rate of heart contraction Vasomotor center adjusts blood vessel diameter for blood pressure regulation

Medulla Oblongata Respiratory centers Generate respiratory rhythm Control rate and depth of breathing, with pontine centers

Medulla Oblongata Additional centers regulate Vomiting Hiccuping Swallowing Coughing Sneezing

The Cerebellum 11% of brain mass Dorsal to the pons and medulla Subconsciously provides precise timing and appropriate patterns of skeletal muscle contraction

Anatomy of the Cerebellum Two hemispheres connected by vermis Each hemisphere has three lobes Anterior, posterior, and flocculonodular Folia—transversely oriented gyri Arbor vitae—distinctive treelike pattern of the cerebellar white matter

Anterior lobe Cerebellar cortex Arbor vitae Cerebellar peduncles Posterior lobe • Superior • Middle Choroid plexus of fourth ventricle • Inferior Medulla oblongata Flocculonodular lobe (b) Figure 12.17b

Anterior lobe Posterior lobe (d) (d) Vermis Figure 12.17d

Cerebellar Peduncles All fibers in the cerebellum are ipsilateral Three paired fiber tracts connect the cerebellum to the brain stem Superior peduncles connect the cerebellum to the midbrain Middle peduncles connect the pons to the cerebellum Inferior peduncles connect the medulla to the cerebellum

Cerebellar Processing for Motor Activity Cerebellum receives impulses from the cerebral cortex of the intent to initiate voluntary muscle contraction Signals from proprioceptors and visual and equilibrium pathways continuously “inform” the cerebellum of the body’s position and momentum Cerebellar cortex calculates the best way to smoothly coordinate a muscle contraction A “blueprint” of coordinated movement is sent to the cerebral motor cortex and to brain stem nuclei

Cognitive Function of the Cerebellum Recognizes and predicts sequences of events during complex movements Plays a role in nonmotor functions such as word association and puzzle solving