PHGY 314 Chapter Notes - Chapter 15: Pontine Nuclei, Primary Motor Cortex, Basal Ganglia
23 Sep 2017
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Ch15- cns organization: the number & type of neurons, and how they are interconnected determines specific brain region, 100 billion neurons, each with a thousand synapses. Contain pontine nuclei; group neurons relaying movement info from cerebral cortex to cerebellum. Midbrain contains substantia nigra which provides input to basal ganglia for voluntary movements. Linkage between components of motor system (cerebellum, basal ganglia, cerebral hemispheres) Cerebellum: posture, coordination, learning of motor skills, and language, contains most neurons, receives input about, somatic sensations from spinal cord, balance from vestibular organs, sensory information via pontine nuclei. Diencephalon: made of thalamus & hypothalamus, thalamus transfers sensory information to cerebral hemispheres, relay station, determines which info reaches neocortex. Influence consciousness and attention levels: hypothalamus: regulates homeostasis and reproductive behaviors. Important in reward/motivation: contains suprachiasmatic nucleus that regulates circadian rhythm. Insular cortex: not visible because of operculum (part of cortex overhanging) --emotions. In right-handed people, left hemisphere specialized for language & right for visuospatial info processing.
