PowerPoint® Lecture Slides

prepared by
Janice Meeking,
Mount Royal College

CHAPTER 12
The Central
Nervous
System:
Part B
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.
 Multimodal Association Areas

• Receive inputs from multiple sensory areas

• Send outputs to multiple areas, including the
premotor cortex
• Allow us to give meaning to information
received, store it as memory, compare it to
previous experience, and decide on action to
take

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Multimodal Association Areas

• Three parts
• Anterior association area (prefrontal cortex)
• Posterior association area
• Limbic association area

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Anterior Association Area (Prefrontal
Cortex)
• Most complicated cortical region
• Involved with intellect, cognition, recall, and
personality
• Contains working memory needed for
judgment, reasoning, persistence, and
conscience
• Development depends on feedback from
social environment

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Posterior Association Area

• Large region in temporal, parietal, and

occipital lobes
• Plays a role in recognizing patterns and faces
and localizing us in space
• Involved in understanding written and spoken
language (Wernicke’s area)

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Limbic Association Area

• Part of the limbic system

• Provides emotional impact that helps
establish memories

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

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

• 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.10a

 Basal Nuclei (Ganglia)
• Consists of the corpus striatum
• Caudate nucleus
• Lentiform nucleus (putamen + globus pallidus)
• 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.11a

 Anterior
Cerebral cortex
Cerebral white matter
Corpus callosum
Anterior horn
of lateral ventricle
Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus Lentiform
pallidus nucleus
Thalamus
Tail of caudate nucleus
Third ventricle
Inferior horn
(b) of lateral ventricle
Posterior
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. 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)

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.11b (2 of 2)

 Diencephalon
Pineal gland
(part of epithalamus)
• Three paired structures
• Thalamus
• Hypothalamus
• Epithalamus
• Encloses the third ventricle

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Thalamus
• 80% of diencephalon
• Contains several nuclei, named for their location
• Nuclei project and receive fibers from the cerebral cortex
• 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Dorsal nuclei

Medial Lateral Lateral

dorsal posterior

Pulvinar

Anterior Medial
nuclear geniculate
group body
Reticular Lateral
nucleus geniculate
Ventral body
Ventral Ventral postero-
anterior lateral lateral

Ventral nuclei
(a) The main thalamic nuclei. (The reticular nuclei that “cap” the
thalamus laterally are depicted as curving translucent structures.)
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.13a
 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Paraventricular
nucleus

Anterior Dorsomedial
commissure Fornix
nucleus
Preoptic Posterior
nucleus hypothalamic
Anterior nucleus
hypothalamic Lateral
nucleus hypothalamic
Supraoptic area
nucleus
Supra- Ventromedial
chiasmatic nucleus
nucleus Mammillary
Arcuate body
Optic nucleus
chiasma
Pituitary
Infundibulum
gland
(stalk of the
pituitary gland)
(b) The main hypothalamic nuclei.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.13b
 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
• 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.12

 Brain Stem

• Three regions
• Midbrain
• Pons
• Medulla oblongata

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

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

Spinal cord

(a) Ventral view

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.15a

 Crus cerebri of
Thalamus
cerebral peduncles
(midbrain)
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) Hypothalamus
Diencephalon

Midbrain
Accessory nerve (XI)
Pons Brainstem
Medulla
oblongata

(b) Left lateral view

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.15b

 Thalamus
View (c)

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

first cervical nerve Midbrain

Pons Brainstem
(c) Dorsal view Medulla
oblongata

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Midbrain Nuclei

• Nuclei that control cranial nerves III (oculomotor) and

IV (trochlear)
• Corpora quadrigemina—domelike dorsal protrusions
• Superior colliculi—visual reflex centers
• Inferior colliculi—auditory relay centers
• Substantia nigra—functionally linked to basal nuclei
• Red nucleus—relay nuclei for some descending
motor pathways and part of reticular formation

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Dorsal Superior
Tectum
Periaqueductal gray colliculus
matter Cerebral aqueduct
Oculomotor
nucleus (III) Reticular formation
Medial
lemniscus
Red
nucleus
Substantia
nigra
Fibers of
pyramidal tract
Ventral Crus cerebri of
(a) Midbrain cerebral peduncle

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.16a

 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)
• Some nuclei of the reticular formation
• Nuclei that help maintain normal rhythm of breathing

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Fourth
ventricle
Reticular
Superior cerebellar formation
peduncle
Trigeminal main
sensory nucleus
Trigeminal
motor nucleus
Middle
cerebellar
peduncle
Trigeminal Pontine
nerve (V) nuclei
Fibers of
Medial lemniscus pyramidal
(b) Pons tract
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.16b
 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Medulla Oblongata

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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Medulla Oblongata

• Additional centers regulate

• Vomiting
• Hiccuping
• Swallowing
• Coughing
• Sneezing

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Fourth ventricle
Solitary
Hypoglossal nucleus (XII) Choroid
nucleus
Dorsal motor nucleus plexus Vestibular nuclear
of vagus (X) complex (VIII)
Inferior cerebellar Cochlear
peduncle nuclei (VIII)
Reticular formation

Lateral
nuclear
group Nucleus
Medial ambiguus
nuclear
group Inferior olivary
Raphe nucleus
nucleus Pyramid
Medial lemniscus
(c) Medulla oblongata

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.16c

 The Cerebellum

• 11% of brain mass

• Dorsal to the pons and medulla
• Subconsciously provides precise timing and
appropriate patterns of skeletal muscle
contraction

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Anterior lobe
Cerebellar cortex
Arbor
vitae

Cerebellar
peduncles Posterior
• Superior lobe
• Middle Choroid
• Inferior plexus of
Medulla Flocculonodular fourth
oblongata lobe ventricle
(b)
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 12.17b
 Anterior
lobe

Posterior
lobe

(d) Vermis

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

 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

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.