PHSI 208 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Pineal Gland, Blood Sugar, Anterior Pituitary
Document Summary
Brain = the organ providing human species w/ its unique attributes. 85 billion neurons, many containing thousands of synapses. 6 major divisions: cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon, medulla, midbrain, pons. Brainstem oldest and most primitive region of the brain. Has 4 major regions: midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, reticular formation. Ascending and descending tract runs through the brainstem. Contain 11 or 12 cranial nerves: carry sensory and motor info for head and neck (not olfactory nerve) Contain many nuclei (groups of cell bodies) that are all responsible for different functions. Processes sensory information and coordinates the execution of movement: does(cid:374)"t i(cid:374)itiate (cid:373)ove(cid:373)e(cid:374)t! Sends feedback signals to motor areas of the cerebral cortex, via its connections to the thalamus helping to correct any errors and smooth the movements. Diencephalon lies b/w the brain stem and cerebrum. Influences cardiovascular control center: hypothalamus = the center of homeostasis.
