Define Neuroanatomy Terms Flashcards

Regulates neural activity throughout the CNS. It is controlled by different neuormodulators

1. Ventral Tegmental Area
2. Ralphi Nuclei
3. Locus Cereulus and Medical Reticular Area

Provides Dopamine to the prefrontal cortex. (decision making and motivation) Impt with drug addiction.

Schizophrenia, due to excessive dopamine release. DA antagonists have antipsychotic affects.

Hallucinations, delusions, disordered thoughts, disorder of movements.
Decreased ability to initiate plans, speak, express emotion, and find pleasure in everyday life.
Problems with Memory, Attention, and Executive Function.

1. Produces serotonin. "happy drug"
2. Modulates activity throughout the brain stem and cortex.
3. Part of the fast acting pathway for descending pain inhibition.
(while ascending pain info stimulates both the periaqueductal gray and raphe nuclei)
-causes serotonin to be released onto the dorsal horn, which inhibits pain release.

Has to do with the onset of sleep

Source of most of the norepinephrine in the CNS.
-involved with direction of attention
-autonomic function
-spinal cord

Control reflexive eye movements and head movements
-pretectal area (CN III Reflexes)
-superior and inferior colliculus

1. Inferior part of the brain stem
2. Continuous with the spinal cord inferiorly
3. Divided into upper and inferior medulla

1. Cardiovascular Control
2. Breathing
3. Swallowing

Contains Medullary Pyramids, which are formed by the descending corticospinal tracts
-85% of corticospinal axons cross midline here

1. Anterior Corticospinal Tract = Proximal muscles
2. Posterior Corticospinal Tract = Distal Muscles

Will show contralateral weakness

Ipsilateral Weakness