Lab Activity 15

The Brain

Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia PJM3106

Brain Meninges: Dura Mater

Continuous with the spinal meninges Dura mater: An outer and inner fibrous connective tissue
Outer later is fused to the periosteum of the cranial bones (no epidural space)

Between the layers are tissue fluids, blood vessels and venous sinuses.
Venous sinuses are large collecting veins. Venous sinuses drain into the internal jugular veins

Dural Folds
The inner layer of dura mater that extends into the cranial cavity. Provide additional stabilization and support for the brain Contain the dural sinuses

Dural Folds
Falx cerebri projects between the cerebral hemispheres in the longitudinal fissure
Superior sagittal sinus & inferior sagittal sinus

Tentorium cerebelli separates the cerebellar hemisphere from the cerebrum

Transverse sinus

Falx cerebelli divides the cerebellar hemispheres

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Brain Meninges: Arachnoid & Pia Mater

Arachnoid mater consists of the arachnoid membrane and fibers of the arachnoid trabeculae that attach to the pia mater Pia mater: attached to the surface of the brain, anchored by processes of astrocytes
Contains branches of cerebral blood vessels that penetrate the surface of the brain.

CSF is between these two membranes in the subarachnoid space

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Ventricles

Brainstem

3 Structures: Midbrain
(mesencephalon)

Corpora quadrigemina

Pons Medulla oblongata

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Midbrain Pons Medulla Corpora 9 quadrigemina

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Brainstem: Medulla Oblongata

Functions:
Center for the coordination of complex autonomic reflexes (heart rate, respiratory rhythm, blood pressure) Control of visceral functions (vomiting, swallowing) Decussation of pyramids: a crossover point for the major motor tracts

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Brainstem: Pons
Functions:
Sensory and motor nuclei of Cranial nerves V, VI, VII, and VIII Respiratory control: Apneustic center and pneumotaxic center to modify the activity of the respiratory rhythmicity center in the medulla Nuclei and tracts that process and relay information to and from the cerebellum
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Brainstem: Midbrain
Functions:
Connects pons to cerebellum Superior colliculi: visual reflex centers Inferior colliculi: auditory reflex centers

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Diencephalon
Structures Thalamus Hypothalamus Epithalamus

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Diencephalon: Epithalamus
Superior to the third ventricle, contains the pineal gland

Pineal gland

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Diencephalon: Thalamus
Relay station for sensory input

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Diencephalon: Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland: Attaches to the hypothalamus via the infundibulum Mamillary bodies: Process olfactory sensations.

Pituitary gland (not in this picture) would be hanging here

Mamillary body

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Diencephalon: Hypothalamus
Major Functions: 1. Controls somatic motor activities at the subconscious level 2. Controls autonomic function 3. Coordinates activities of the nervous and endocrine systems 4. Secretes hormones 5. Produces emotions and behavioral drives 6. Coordinates voluntary and autonomic functions 7. Regulates body temperature 8. Coordinates circadian cycles of activity 19

Cerebellum
Functions:
Coordination of movements Adjustment of postural muscles Vermis

Arbor Vita (white matter that looks like a leaf)

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Cerebral Cortex
The superficial layer/rim of gray matter in the cerebral hemispheres
Gray matter consists of cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons.

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White Matter & Basal Nuclei

White matter consists primarily of myelinated axons Is beneath the gray matter cortex
Notice how it is the opposite arrangement from the spinal cord (Spinal cord: white matter is on the outside and gray matter is on the inside.) Corpus callosum: Connects the right and left hemispheres

Basal nuclei: Islands of gray matter within the white matter.

Function: Involved in the subconscious control of skeletal muscle tone and the coordination of learned movement patterns
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White Matter & Basal Nuclei

White Matter

Basal Nuclei

Corpus Callosum

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Sulci & Gyri

Sulci: Shallow depressions of the cerebral cortex
Central sulcus is between the frontal and parietal lobes Lateral sulcus is between the parietal lobes and temporal lobes.

Sulci

Fissures: Deep grooves Longitudinal: separates cerebral hemispheres Transverse: separates cerebrum form the cerebellum Gyri: The elevated ridges of the cerebral cortex
Serve to increase the surface area
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Central Sulcus

Lateral Sulcus

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Longitudinal Fissure
Transverse fissure

Transverse Fissure

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Precentral Gyrus: (frontal lobe) contains the primary motor area

Central Sulcus
Postcentral Gyrus: (parietal lobe) contains the primary somatosensory area.

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Cerebrum
Frontal lobe Motor, speech (usually left lobe), personality Parietal lobe Sensation (except smell), language Occipital lobe Vision Temporal lobe Hearing, smell, language
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The End

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