BIOL1003 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Medulla Oblongata, Pineal Gland, Choroid Plexus
19 May 2018
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Department
Course
Professor
Identify the major structures and areas of the brain
and describe their functions
Forebrain - cerebral hemispheres, thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal
gland and pituitary gland, cerebrum, corpus callosum
•
Midbrain - fibre tracts connecting forebrain to mid and hindbrain
and colliculi, anterior and posterior colliculi
•
Hindbrain - pons, medulla oblongata, cerebellum
•
Major regions
Structure/area
Function
Medulla oblongata
Most inferior portion of brainstem
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Continuous with spinal cord
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Ascending and descending nerve tracts
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Contains discrete nuclei with specific functions e.g.
regulation of heart rate, blood vessel diameter
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Pyramids on anterior surface - consist of
descending nerve tracts which transmit action
potentials from brain to motor neurons of spinal
cord, conscious control of skeletal muscles
-
Pons
Ascending and descending nerve tracts
-
Several nuclei
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Some nuclei relay information between cerebrum
and cerebellum (functional bridge)
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Controls breathing, swallowing, balance in lower
pons
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Chewing, salivation
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Cerebellum
Maintain muscle tone, coordinate movement and
store memories of skilled movement e.g. walking
and driving
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Midbrain
Anterior and posterior colliculi
-
Relay centres for auditory nerve pathways in CNS
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Visual reflexes, touch and auditory input
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Thalamus
Cluster of nuclei
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Most sensory input that ascends through spinal
cord and brainstem projects to thalamus
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Thalamus influences mood and registers
unlocalised, uncomfortable perception of pain
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Hypothalamus
Contains several small nuclei which maintain
homeostasis
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Control of body temp, hunger and thirst
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Pineal gland
Endocrine gland
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Produces melatonin - modulates sleep patterns
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Pituitary gland
Located at base of brain
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Pea sized
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Releases hormones which control bodily functions
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Anterior lobe - sexual maturation, reproduction,
-
8a)
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10:56 AM
8. Nervous system Page 1
Anterior lobe - sexual maturation, reproduction,
stimulate other glands
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Intermediate lobe - melanin, control pigmentation,
skin colour
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Posterior lobe - reclaims water from kidneys and
concerves it in bloodstream
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cerebrum
Largest part of brain
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Left and right hemispheres
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Divided by longitudinal fissure
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Gyri - folds on surface which increase SA of cortex
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Cerebral
hemispheres
Left and right
-
Divided into lobes - frontal, parietal, occipital,
temporal
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Frontal - voluntary motor functions, motivation, aggression,
mood, olfactory (smell) perception
○
Parietal - receiving and consciously perceiving most sensory
information e.g. touch, pain, temperature, balance
○
Temporal - olfactory (smell) and auditory sensations, memory,
separated from rest of cerebrum by lateral fissure
○
Occipital - receiving and perceiving visual input
○
Each cerebral hemisphere divided into 4 lobes
•
Lobes
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Document Summary
Identify the major structures and areas of the brain and describe their functions. Forebrain - cerebral hemispheres, thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal gland and pituitary gland, cerebrum, corpus callosum. Midbrain - fibre tracts connecting forebrain to mid and hindbrain and colliculi, anterior and posterior colliculi. Contains discrete nuclei with specific functions e. g. regulation of heart rate, blood vessel diameter. Pyramids on anterior surface - consist of descending nerve tracts which transmit action potentials from brain to motor neurons of spinal cord, conscious control of skeletal muscles. Some nuclei relay information between cerebrum and cerebellum (functional bridge) Maintain muscle tone, coordinate movement and store memories of skilled movement e. g. walking and driving. Relay centres for auditory nerve pathways in cns. Most sensory input that ascends through spinal cord and brainstem projects to thalamus. Thalamus influences mood and registers unlocalised, uncomfortable perception of pain. Anterior lobe - sexual maturation, reproduction, stimulate other glands. Intermediate lobe - melanin, control pigmentation, skin colour.
