The _____________is the major relay station for most sensory impulses that reach the primary sensory cortex of the cerebrum from the spinal cord and brainstem. A relay station is an amplifier station where signals which have already lost energy during travel are amplified and given strength again to travel -- picture a fillup station for lost energy. 

Which of the following is not a function of the thalamus:

The __________________ is a small part of the diencephalon located inferior to the thalamus. It includes the mammillary bodies (nuclei) which serve as relay stations for reflexes related to the sense of smell. Additionally, it includes the infundibular stalk which connects the pituitary gland to the structure. That said, its main purpose is the major regulation of homeostasis: receptors within the _________________ itself continually monitor osmotic pressure, blood glucose level, certain hormone concentrations, and the temperature of blood.

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Which of the following is a function of the hypothalamus as a center for homeostasis?

The ___________________ is a small region superior and posterior to the thalamus, consists of the pineal gland and habenular nuclei.

The pineal gland is part of the endocrine system because it secretes the hormone ______________. This hormone helps regulate circadian rhythms, which are established by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus.

More melatonin is liberated during darkness than in light.

The habenular nuclei of the hypothalamus are involved in olfaction, especially emotional responses to odors such as a loved one’s cologne or Mom’s chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven.

The _________________ is a region of gray matter that forms the outer rim portion of the cerebrum. Reminder: gray matter is unmyelinated.

The ________________________ are structures surrounding the third ventricle as part of the diencephalon meant to protect it since this region does not have a blood brain barrier and are exposed to blood. As such it monitors chemical changes in the exposed blood. These structures recruit the hypothalamus, pineal glans, pituitary gland and others to serve in that protection. Due to its limited capabilities as compared to the blood brain barrier, this site is considered to be the entry site for infectious viruses that lead to dementia such as herpes or HIV. 

The __________________ is the “seat of intelligence” or the structure responsible for intelligence (thinking). It provides us with the ability to read, write, speak, make calculation, compose music, reminisce on the past, plan for the future, or even imagine things that don't exist. It consists of an outer cerebral cortex, an internal region of cerebral white matter, and gray matter nuclei deep within the white matter.

A region of gray matter that surrounds the cerebrum. It contains billions of neurons arranged in distinct layers. The ridges are referred to as cerebral gyri.

Match the following with their correct description:

The most prominent cerebral fissure, the longitudinal cerebral fissure, separates the cerebrum into right and left halves called ___________________.

The cerebral hemispheres are connected internally by the _________________ a broad band of white matter containing axons that extend between the cerebral hemispheres at the floor of the longitudinal cerebral fissure.

The sulcus separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.

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The cerebral white matter is deep to (below) the cortex and consists primarily of myelinated axons in three types of tracts. Match each of them to their function:

The corpus striatum, also known as the basal nuclei, are nuclei which are found deep within each hemisphere of the brain. Two of the nuclei of the corpus striatum lie side by side, just lateral to the thalamus. They are the globus pallidus, which is closer to the thalamus, and the putamen, which is closer to the cerebral cortex. Therefore, the third nucleus of the corpus striatum is the ______________________. 

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The corpus striatum (containing the three putamen, globus pallidus, and caudate nucleus) also controls subconscious contractions of skeletal muscles. Examples include automatic arm swings while walking and true laughter in response to a joke. A major function of the corpus striatum is to help regulate initiation and termination of movements.

The corpus striatum, consisting of the putamen, caudate nucleus and the globus pallidus, is in charge of giving the "go ahead" to start or stop moving per body structure.

Match the following corpus striatum nuclei with function that they act as an umpire for: to initiate or stop. Reminder: these are not the entire list.

In addition to influencing motor functions, the nuclei of the corpus striatum have other roles. They help initiate and terminate some cognitive processes, attention, memory, and planning, and may act with the limbic system to regulate emotional behaviors. Disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, obsessive–compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and chronic anxiety are thought to involve dysfunction of circuits between the corpus striatum and the limbic system.

This structure is a ring of structures that wraps around in circular motions around the brainstem as well as the corpus callosum. This system is sometimes referred to as the emotional system or emotional brain because it plays the main role for affection, anger, pleasure, emotional pain, or docility (calm). Although, it is also involved in olfaction (smell) and memory.

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Which of the following is not a part of the limbic system:

Consider that the major components of the limbic system include the Amygdaloid nuclei, hippocampus (long term memory), thalamus (relay) and the hypothalamus (homeostasis). Which of the following is not a major function of the limbic system:

In the cerebral cortex, ____________ areas handle receiving sensory information, and perception.

In the cerebral cortex, ____________ areas handle the execution of voluntary movements.

In the cerebral cortex, ____________ areas handle more complex integrative functions such as memory, emotions, reasoning, will, judgment, personality traits, and intelligence.

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Sensory impulses arrive from lower regions of the brain mainly in the posterior half of both cerebral hemispheres, in regions behind the central cerebral sulci. The ________________________ located directly posterior to the central cerebral sulcus is responsible for receiving nerve impulses for touch, pressure, vibration, itch, tickle, temperature, pain and proprioception. It contains a "map" of the entire body and can pinpoint any location that the nerve impulse is coming from. That unique feature to detect is known as the sensory homunculus.

The __________________ is located at the posterior of the occipital lobe next to the longitudinal fissure mainly. It receives visual information and is involved in visual perception. 

Match the following brain structures with their descriptions:

The ________________ smooths and coordinates contractions of skeletal muscles. Regulates posture and balance. May have role in cognition and language processing.

Breakdown the cerebrum by matching the following:

What area(s) of the cerebrum translates thoughts into speech?

What area(s) of the cerebrum controls skilled muscular movements?

The brain is almost symmetrical on both the left and right hemispheres with just subtle differences between them. Although they are symmetrical and having the same structures left or right, each side overtime begins to specialize in performing certain unique functions. This similarity in structures but difference in functions is called ____________________.

Despite some dramatic differences in functions of the two hemispheres, there is considerable variation from one person to another. Also, lateralization seems less pronounced in females than in males, both for language (left hemisphere) and for visual and spatial skills (right hemisphere).

Each hemisphere receives sensory information from and sends motor commands to the same side of the body.

Match the functional areas with their function:

Located in the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe, this structure has a “map” of the entire body. Each region within the area controls voluntary contractions of specific muscles or groups of muscles.

Located immediately anterior to the primary motor cortex this structure sends impulses to the primary motor cortex that plan movements that cause specific groups of muscles to contract simultaneously or sequentially. Such activities include typing, writing your name, and playing a musical instrument (specialized movement).

Located partially in and anterior to the premotor cortex and superior to Broca’s area this structure controls voluntary scanning movements of the eyes such as reading this sentence.

The _________________________ is posterior to the primary somatosensory cortex and continuously receives input from it. It does so in coordination with signals from the thalamus as well as other brain parts.  This area permits you to determine the exact shape and texture of an object by feeling it, to determine the orientation of one object with respect to another as they are felt, and to sense the relationship of one body part to another. For example, the somatosensory association area allows you to recognize objects such as a pencil and a paperclip simply by touching them.

You can picture "association areas" as memory slots for the area they are attached to. For instance, the somatosensory association area is linked to the primary somatosensory cortex. Therefore, it is the memory slot for the primary somatosensory cortex. Which means that the only "memory" that the association area can save for it, is one related to the type of signals it receives. Since the primary somatosensory cortex receives signals such as touch, once the object is touched and the signal is identified several times by the primary somatosensory cortex, the association area saved that data as a memorized object, such as "this feels like a pencil" from years of "association." So whenever in the future that same object is touched, the association area will relay back to the primary center that this object is indeed a pencil.

The ____________________, located inferior and posterior to the primary auditory cortex in the temporal lobe, allows you to recognize a particular sound as speech, music, or noise.

The ________________________, located in the occipital lobe, receives sensory impulses from the primary visual cortex and the thalamus. It relates present and past visual experiences and is essential for recognizing and evaluating what is seen. For example, this structure allows you to recognize an object such as a spoon simply by looking at it.

The ___________________________, is a type of association area in the inferior temporal lobe which receives nerve impulses from the visual association area. This area stores information about faces, and it allows you to recognize people by their faces. This structure in the right hemisphere is usually more dominant than the corresponding region in the left hemisphere.

A type of association area. This area is a broad region in the left temporal and parietal lobes, interprets the meaning of speech by recognizing spoken words. It is active as you translate words into thoughts. The regions in the right hemisphere that correspond to Broca’s and these areas in the left hemisphere also contribute to verbal communication by adding emotional content, such as anger or joy, to spoken words. Unlike those who have cerebrovascular accidents in Broca’s area, people who suffer cerebrovascular accidents of this area can still speak but cannot arrange words in a coherent fashion (fluent aphasia, or “word salad”).

Although the name implies otherwise, this area is an association area. The _____________________, located along the lateral part of the frontal lobe, receives sensory impulses from the olfactory cortex. This area allows you to identify odors and to distinguish different odors.

This association area is also one that does not have association area in the name. However, it is the largest of them and perhaps the most well studied as well as recognized. It is also the most well connected to other areas. The area is in the anterior portion of the frontal lobe that is well developed in primates, especially humans. As mentioned, this area has numerous connections with other areas of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebellum. It is concerned with the makeup of a person’s personality, intellect, complex learning abilities, recall of information, initiative, judgment, foresight, reasoning, conscience, intuition, mood, planning for the future, and development of abstract ideas. A person with bilateral (both sides) damage to the prefrontal cortices typically becomes rude, inconsiderate, incapable of accepting advice, moody, inattentive, less creative, unable to plan for the future, and incapable of anticipating the consequences of rash or reckless words or behavior.

This association area is right by three other association areas: somatosensory association area, visual association area, and the auditory association area. It receives nerve impulses from the most other areas including the association areas mentioned as well as from the gustatory cortex, the olfactory cortex, the thalamus, and parts of the brainstem. This area integrates sensory interpretations from the association areas and impulses from other areas, allowing the formation of thoughts based on a variety of sensory inputs. It then transmits signals to other parts of the brain for the appropriate response to the sensory signals it has interpreted.

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_________________ are graphed patterns of the electrical impulses brain activity. They are generated by the cerebral cortex's neurons which are just below the base of the skull thus allowing monitoring of the electrical activity. It can be detected by sensors called electrodes placed on the forehead and scalp. 

A record of brain waves is called a _______________________.

How many observable patterns, also known as brain wave types, are there in a brain wave from an electroencephalogram (EEG)?

Which of the following is not a type of brain wave pattern of activation?

A brain wave frequency is reading at 1-5 Hz per second. What type of brain wave is this?

A brain wave frequency is reading at 4-7 Hz per second. What type of brain wave is this?

A brain wave frequency is reading at 7 Hz per second. What type of brain wave is this?

A brain wave frequency is reading at 17 Hz per second. What type of brain wave is this?

A brain wave frequency is reading at 8-13 Hz per second. What type of brain wave is this?

Match each of the following brain waves with their correct interpretations:

Electroencephalograms are useful both in studying normal brain functions, such as changes that occur during sleep, and in diagnosing a variety of brain disorders, such as epilepsy, tumors, trauma, hematomas, metabolic abnormalities, sites of trauma, and degenerative diseases. The EEG is also utilized to determine if “life” is present, that is, to establish or confirm that brain death has occurred.

________________ is a temporary cerebral disorder accompanied by unusual neural activity (movements, sensations, behaviors) and marked by changes in pattern of brain electrical activity. 

The cranial nerves are so named because they pass through various foramina in the bones of the cranium and, with one exception, arise from the brain inside the cranial cavity. Like the 31 pairs of spinal nerves, they are part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

Each cranial nerve has both a number, designated by a roman numeral, and a name. The numbers indicate the order, from anterior to posterior, in which the nerves enter into or exits the brainstem. The names designate a nerve’s distribution, structure, or function. Three of these cranial nerves carry sensory axons (I, II, and VIII), and so they are named _________________.

Which of the following is not a special sensory nerve?

Which of the following is not a motor nerve?

Which of the following is not a mixed nerve?

Identify the following nerves as sensory, motor, mixed or not applicable (NA):

Repeat the previous for practice as this is important for the subsequent questions. Identify the following nerves as sensory, motor, mixed or not applicable (NA):

The five motor cranial nerves, III, IV, VI, XI, and XII, can be classified into two types of motor nerves. They can be either branchial (pharyngeal) or somatic based on the type of axons found in them. The branchial are nerves for the skeletal muscle whereas all others are somatic. 

Match the following special sensory nerve with their name:

Match the following motor nerve with their name:

Match the following motor nerve with their name:

Which of the following is a mixed nerve?

Identify the following nerves as sensory, motor, mixed or not applicable (NA):

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The most common brain disorder is a ____________________.

An episode of temporary cerebral dysfunction caused by impaired blood flow to part of the brain.

In this disease beta amyloid, a toxic waste product that accumulate outside of brain neurons or toxic waste products buildup and cause conformational changes within brain neurons. Treatment includes drugs which help to reduce the buildup to happen in the first place. 

Characterized by a breakdown in the axonal transport process which results in slow transmission of signals to muscles. This later manifest itself in weakness of the muscles resulting in chronic use of assisted devices: ventilator, wheelchair, etc.

A breakdown of the central nervous system caused by the inability of neural networks to operate and transmit impulses. It is caused by the breakdown of myelinated sheets. 

_____________________ is a learning disorder characterized by poor or short attention span, a consistent level of hyperactivity, and a level of impulsiveness inappropriate for the child’s age. It is believed to affect about 5% of children and is diagnosed 10 times more often in boys than in girls. The condition typically begins in childhood and continues into adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms of this brain disorder develop in early childhood, often before age 4, and include difficulty in organizing and finishing tasks, lack of attention to details, short attention span and inability to concentrate, difficulty following instructions, talking excessively and frequently interrupting others, frequent running or excessive climbing, inability to play quietly alone, and difficulty waiting or taking turns.