1. The Brain

2. The Spinal Cord Spinal Cord
Mass of nerve tissue located in the vertebral canal
Extends from Medulla Oblongata to 2nd lumbar vertebrae
Transmits electrical information to and from the brain, limbs, trunk, and organs of the body
Protected by ligaments, fat, meninges, and cerebral spinal fluid
Spinal Nerves
Pathways of communication between spinal cord and specific nerves of the PNS
Connects CNS to sensors, muscles, and glands

3. The Brain Stem Basics
Responsible for basic life functions: breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure
Part of the brain between the spinal cord and diencephalon
Contains:
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla

4. The Brain Stem Details Midbrain Pons Medulla (Oblongata)
Station for info that passes between spinal cord and cerebrum or cerebellum and cerebrum
Relays impulses for vision, hearing, and touch
Ex: eye movements and startle reflex
Pons
Bridge that joins cerebellum with cerebrum
Medulla (Oblongata)
Contains sensory and motor neurons
Regulates heart rate and breathing
Reflex for swallowing, vomiting, coughing, sneezing, hiccupping

5. The Diencephalon Basics
Responsible for relaying sensory information between brain regions
Connects structures of the endocrine system with the nervous system
Contains:
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Pineal Body

6. The Diencephalon Details
Thalamus
Structure where all sensory impulses (except smell) pass through
Transmits motor information from cerebellum to cerebrum
Hypothalamus
Regulates homeostasis
Sleep, hunger thirst, temp, blood pressure, fluids, emotions, behavior, etc
Pineal Body
Apart of the endocrine system
Secretes melatonin
Promotes sleepiness

7. This is your brain on cookies

8. The Cerebellum Divided into right and left hemispheres
Connects to the brainstem
Constantly receives sensory impulses
Essential in coordinating movements so they appear skilled, smooth, and graceful, not stiff and jerky
Maintains muscle tone, posture, balance
Damage from trauma/disease disrupts muscle coordination

9. The Cerebrum Gyri (JI-ri): Folds
Divided into right and left hemispheres
Hemispheres connected by corpus callosum
Each hemisphere is divided into 4 lobes:
Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital
Covered by the cerebral cortex
Composed of gray matter (unmyelinated nervous tissue)
During embryonic development folds/rolls to fit into cranial cavity
Gyri (JI-ri): Folds
Sulci (pl.)/Sulcus (singular): Shallow grooves
Fissures: Deep grooves between folds
Longitudinal fissure separates cerebral hemispheres

10. Protecting the CNS
Meninges
3 layers of connective tissue that cover spinal cord and brain
The dura mater is the outer most layer and the toughest
Blood – Brain Barrier
Semipermeable network of blood vessels and nervous tissue
Prevents passage of harmful substances and pathogens from blood into brain
Allows O2, CO2, alcohol, and anesthetics into brain tissue
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Fluid that circulates around spinal cord and ventricles of the brain
Carries O2, glucose, and other chemicals from the blood to nervous tissue
Removes wastes and toxins produced by brain and spinal cord

11. Review What structure connects the cerebrum’s hemispheres?
What structure bridges the cerebrum’s right and left hemispheres?
What main structure helps to maintain homeostasis?
If your medulla was damaged in a car accident what would happen? Why?
What connects the CNS to sensors, muscles, and glands?
What structure is found between the spinal cord and diencephalon?
Compare and contrast the ways the brain is protected from pathogens, injury, and disease.
What structure maintains muscle tone, posture, balance?
What main structure connects the endocrine and nervous system?

12. Brain Presentations Brain – General Spinal Cord Brain Stem
Brain structure and behavior
Brain structure and emotions
Brain-blood barrier
Neurotransmitters
Brain – General
Spinal Cord
Brain Stem
Diencephalon
Cerebellum
Cerebrum
Limbic System
December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12