ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY

Cerebellum
-Controls movement coordination
-Maintains balance and equilibrium
Cerebral Cortex
-Outer portion (1.5mm to 5mm) of the cerebrum
-Receives and processes sensory information
-Divided into cerebral cortex lobes
Cerebral Cortex Lobes
Frontal Lobes -involved with decision-making, problem solving, and
planning
Occipital Lobes -involved with vision and color recognition
Parietal Lobes - receives and processes sensory information
Temporal Lobes - involved with emotional responses, memory, and
speech
Cerebrum
-Largest portion of the brain
-Consists of folded bulges called gyri that create deep furrows
Corpus Callosum
-Thick band of fibers that connects the left and right brain
hemispheres
Cranial Nerves
-Twelve pairs of nerves that originate in the brain, exit the
skull, and lead to
 the head, neck and torso

Fissure of Sylvius (Lateral Sulcus)

-Deep grove that separates the parietal and temporal lobes
Limbic System Structures
Amygdala
- involved in emotional responses, hormonal secretions, and memory
Cingulate Gyrus
- a fold in the brain involved with sensory input concerningemotions and the regulation of aggressive behavior
Fornix -
an arching, fibrous band of nerve fibers that connect the hippocampustothe hypothalamus
Hippocampus -
sends memories out to the appropriate part of the cerebralhemisphere for long-term storage and retrievs them when necessary
Hypothalamus
- directs a multitude of important functions such as bodytemperature, hunger, and homeostasis
Olfactory Cortex
- receives sensory information from the olfactory bulb and isinvolved in the identification of odors
Thalamus -
mass of grey matter cells that relay sensory signals to and from thespinal cord and the cerebrum
Medulla Oblongata
Lower part of the brainstem that helps to control autonomic functions Meninges
Membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord
Olfactory Bulb
-Bulb-shaped end of the olfactory lobe
 -Involved in the sense of smell
Pineal Gland
-Endocrine gland involved in biological rhythms
-Secretes the hormone melatonin
Pituitary Gland
-Endocrine gland involved in homeostasis
-Regulates other endocrine glands
Pons
-Relays sensory information between the cerebrum and cerebellumReticular Formation
-Nerve fibers located inside the brainstem
-Regulates awareness and sleep
Substantia Nigra
-Helps to control voluntary movement and regualtes mood
Tectum
-The dorsal region of the mesencephalon (mid brain)
Tegmentum
The ventral region of the mesencephalon (mid brain).Ventricular System - connecting system of internal brain cavities filled with
Cerebrospinal fluid
Aqueduct of Sylvius - canal that is located between the third ventricle and thefourth ventricle
Choroid Plexus - produces cerebrospinal fluid
Fourth Ventricle - canal that runs between the pons, medulla oblongata, and the

Cerebellum
Lateral Ventricle - largest of the ventricles and located in both brain hemispheres
Third Ventricle - provides a pathway for cerebrospinal fluid to flow
Wernicke's Area
Region of the brain where spoken language is understood
Motor Functions
The motor system of the brain and spinal cord is responsible for maintaining the body, posture and balance; as well as moving the trunk, head,
limbs, tongue, and eyes: and communicating through facial expressions and speech. Reflexes mediated through the spinal cord and brainstem is
responsible for some body movements. They occur without conscious thought. Voluntary movements, on the other hand, are movements
consciously activated to achieve a specific goal, such as walking or typing. Although consciously activated, the details of most voluntary
movements occur automatically. After walking begins, it is not necessary to think about the moment-to-moment control of every muscle because
neural circuits in the reticular formation automatically control the limbs. After learning how to perform complex tasks, such as typing, they can be
performed relatively automatic. Voluntary movements result from the stimulation of upper and lower motor neurons. Upper motor neurons have
cell bodies in the cerebral cortex. The Axons of upper motor neurons from descending tracts that connects to lower motor neurons. Lower
motor neurons have cell bodies in the anterior horn of the spinal cord gray matter or in cranial nerve nuclei. Their axons leave the central nervous
system and extend through spinal or cranial nerves to skeletal muscles. Lower motor neurons are the neurons forming the motor units.
Motor areas of the cerebral cortex
The motor areas are located in both hemispheres of the cortex. They are shaped like a pair of headphones stretching from ear to ear. The motor
areas are very closely related to the control of voluntary movements, especially fine fragmented movements performed by the hand. The right
half of the motor area controls the left side of the body, and vice versa. Two areas of the cortex are commonly referred to as motor:
Primary motor cortex, which executes
voluntary movements. Supplementary motor areas and premotor cortex, which select voluntary movements. In addition, motor functions have
been described for:
Posterior parietal cortex, which guides voluntary movements in space
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which decides which voluntary movements to
make according to higher-order instructions, rules, and self-generated thoughts.
Descending tracts
The most important descending spinal tract originates in the cerebral cortex and is called the corticospinal tract The other major descending
spinal tracts worth mentioning are: the tectospinal tract arising from the superior colliculus, the rubrospinal tract arising from the red nucleus in
the mid-brain, the vestibulospinal tract with its nuclei located In the floor of the fourth ventricle, and the reticulospinal tract arising from the
reticular formation in the pons and the medulla. The cortico-bulbar tract which is associated with cranial nerves will not be described in this review
of neuroanatomy as it is not prominently employed in the treatment of patients.