Transcript File
Hypothalamic Function
• Regulates body temperature, food intake,
water balance, and thirst
• Regulates sleep and the sleep cycle
• Controls release of hormones by the anterior
pituitary
• Produces posterior pituitary hormones
Epithalamus
• Most dorsal portion of the diencephalon;
forms roof of the third ventricle
• Pineal gland—extends from the posterior
border and secretes melatonin
• Melatonin—helps regulate sleep-wake cycles
Cerebral hemisphere
Septum pellucidum
Interthalamic
adhesion
(intermediate
mass of
thalamus)
Interventricular
foramen
Anterior
commissure
Hypothalamus
Optic chiasma
Pituitary gland
Mammillary body
Pons
Medulla oblongata
Corpus callosum
Fornix
Choroid plexus
Thalamus
(encloses third
ventricle)
Posterior commissure
Pineal gland
(part of epithalamus)
Corpora
quadrigemina MidCerebral
brain
aqueduct
Arbor vitae (of
cerebellum)
Fourth ventricle
Choroid plexus
Cerebellum
Spinal cord
Figure 12.12
Brain Stem
• Three regions
• Midbrain
• Pons
• Medulla oblongata
Brain Stem
• Similar structure to spinal cord but contains
embedded nuclei
• Controls automatic behaviors necessary for
survival
• Contains fiber tracts connecting higher and
lower neural centers
• Associated with 10 of the 12 pairs of cranial
nerves
Frontal lobe
Olfactory bulb
(synapse point of
cranial nerve I)
Optic chiasma
Optic nerve (II)
Optic tract
Mammillary body
Midbrain
Pons
Temporal lobe
Medulla
oblongata
Cerebellum
Spinal cord
Figure 12.14
View (a)
Optic chiasma
Optic nerve (II)
Crus cerebri of
cerebral peduncles
(midbrain)
Diencephalon
• Thalamus
• Hypothalamus
Mammillary body
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Diencephalon
Midbrain
Oculomotor nerve (III)
Trochlear nerve (IV)
Pons
Brainstem
Medulla
oblongata
Trigeminal nerve (V)
Pons
Facial nerve (VII)
Middle cerebellar
peduncle
Abducens nerve (VI)
Vestibulocochlear
nerve (VIII)
Pyramid
Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Vagus nerve (X)
Ventral root of first
cervical nerve
Decussation of pyramids
Accessory nerve (XI)
Spinal cord
(a) Ventral view
Figure 12.15a
Crus cerebri of
cerebral peduncles
(midbrain)
Thalamus
View (b)
Infundibulum
Pituitary gland
Superior colliculus
Inferior colliculus
Trochlear nerve (IV)
Trigeminal nerve (V)
Pons
Superior cerebellar peduncle
Middle cerebellar peduncle
Facial nerve (VII)
Abducens nerve (VI)
Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Inferior cerebellar peduncle
Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)
Olive
Thalamus
Vagus nerve (X)
Hypothalamus
Diencephalon
Midbrain
Accessory nerve (XI)
Pons
Brainstem
Medulla
oblongata
(b) Left lateral view
Figure 12.15b
Thalamus
View (c)
Diencephalon
Pineal gland
Anterior wall of
fourth ventricle
Choroid plexus
(fourth ventricle)
Dorsal median sulcus
Dorsal root of
first cervical nerve
Midbrain
• Superior
Corpora
colliculus quadrigemina
• Inferior
of tectum
colliculus
• Trochlear nerve (IV)
• Superior cerebellar peduncle
Pons
• Middle cerebellar peduncle
Medulla oblongata
• Inferior cerebellar peduncle
• Facial nerve (VII)
• Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)
• Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
• Vagus nerve (X)
• Accessory nerve (XI)
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Midbrain
Pons
(c) Dorsal view
Diencephalon
Brainstem
Medulla
oblongata
Figure 12.15c
Midbrain
• Located between the diencephalon and the
pons
• Cerebral peduncles
• Contain pyramidal motor tracts
• Cerebral aqueduct
• Channel between third and fourth ventricles
Midbrain Nuclei
• Nuclei that control cranial nerves III (oculomotor) and
IV (trochlear)
• Corpora quadrigemina—domelike dorsal protrusions
• Superior colliculi—visual reflex centers
• Inferior colliculi—auditory relay centers
• Substantia nigra—functionally linked to basal nuclei
• Red nucleus—relay nuclei for some descending
motor pathways and part of reticular formation
Tectum
Periaqueductal gray
matter
Oculomotor
nucleus (III)
Medial
lemniscus
Red
nucleus
Substantia
nigra
Fibers of
pyramidal tract
(a) Midbrain
Dorsal
Superior
colliculus
Cerebral aqueduct
Reticular formation
Ventral
Crus cerebri of
cerebral peduncle
Figure 12.16a
Pons
• Forms part of the anterior wall of the fourth ventricle
• Fibers of the pons
• Connect higher brain centers and the spinal cord
• Relay impulses between the motor cortex and the
cerebellum
• Origin of cranial nerves V (trigeminal), VI (abducens),
and VII (facial)
• Some nuclei of the reticular formation
• Nuclei that help maintain normal rhythm of breathing
Fourth
ventricle
Superior cerebellar
peduncle
Trigeminal main
sensory nucleus
Trigeminal
motor nucleus
Middle
cerebellar
peduncle
Trigeminal
nerve (V)
Medial lemniscus
(b) Pons
Reticular
formation
Pontine
nuclei
Fibers of
pyramidal
tract
Figure 12.16b
Medulla Oblongata
• Joins spinal cord at foramen magnum
• Forms part of the ventral wall of the fourth
ventricle
• Contains a choroid plexus of the fourth
ventricle
• Pyramids—two ventral longitudinal ridges
formed by pyramidal tracts
• Decussation of the pyramids—crossover of
the corticospinal tracts
Medulla Oblongata
• Inferior olivary nuclei—relay sensory
information from muscles and joints to
cerebellum
• Cranial nerves VIII, X, and XII are associated
with the medulla
• Vestibular nuclear complex—mediates
responses that maintain equilibrium
• Several nuclei (e.g., nucleus cuneatus and
nucleus gracilis) relay sensory information
Medulla Oblongata
• Autonomic reflex centers
• Cardiovascular center
• Cardiac center adjusts force and rate of heart
contraction
• Vasomotor center adjusts blood vessel
diameter for blood pressure regulation
Medulla Oblongata
• Respiratory centers
• Generate respiratory rhythm
• Control rate and depth of breathing, with
pontine centers
Medulla Oblongata
• Additional centers regulate
• Vomiting
• Hiccuping
• Swallowing
• Coughing
• Sneezing
Reticular formation
Fourth ventricle
Choroid
Hypoglossal nucleus (XII)
plexus
Dorsal motor nucleus
of vagus (X)
Inferior cerebellar
peduncle
Lateral
nuclear
group
Medial
nuclear
group
Raphe
nucleus
Medial lemniscus
(c) Medulla oblongata
Solitary
nucleus
Vestibular nuclear
complex (VIII)
Cochlear
nuclei (VIII)
Nucleus
ambiguus
Inferior olivary
nucleus
Pyramid
Figure 12.16c
The Cerebellum
• 11% of brain mass
• Dorsal to the pons and medulla
• Subconsciously provides precise timing and
appropriate patterns of skeletal muscle
contraction
Anatomy of the Cerebellum
• Two hemispheres connected by vermis
• Each hemisphere has three lobes
• Anterior, posterior, and flocculonodular
• Folia—transversely oriented gyri
• Arbor vitae—distinctive treelike pattern of the
cerebellar white matter
Anterior lobe
Cerebellar cortex
Arbor
vitae
Cerebellar
peduncles
• Superior
• Middle
• Inferior
Medulla
oblongata
(b)
Flocculonodular
lobe
Posterior
lobe
Choroid
plexus of
fourth
ventricle
Figure 12.17b
Anterior
lobe
Posterior
lobe
(d)
Vermis
Figure 12.17d
Cerebellar Peduncles
• All fibers in the cerebellum are ipsilateral
• Three paired fiber tracts connect the
cerebellum to the brain stem
• Superior peduncles connect the cerebellum to
the midbrain
• Middle peduncles connect the pons to the
cerebellum
• Inferior peduncles connect the medulla to the
cerebellum
Cerebellar Processing for Motor Activity
• Cerebellum receives impulses from the cerebral
cortex of the intent to initiate voluntary muscle
contraction
• Signals from proprioceptors and visual and
equilibrium pathways continuously “inform” the
cerebellum of the body’s position and momentum
• Cerebellar cortex calculates the best way to smoothly
coordinate a muscle contraction
• A “blueprint” of coordinated movement is sent to the
cerebral motor cortex and to brain stem nuclei
Cognitive Function of the Cerebellum
• Recognizes and predicts sequences of events
during complex movements
• Plays a role in nonmotor functions such as
word association and puzzle solving
Protection of the Brain
• Bone (skull)
• Membranes (meninges)
• Watery cushion (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Blood-brain barrier
Meninges
• Cover and protect the CNS
• Protect blood vessels and enclose venous
sinuses
• Contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
• Form partitions in the skull
Meninges
• Three layers
• Dura mater
• Arachnoid mater
• Pia mater
Superior
sagittal sinus
Subdural
space
Subarachnoid
space
Skin of scalp
Periosteum
Bone of skull
Periosteal Dura
Meningeal mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
Arachnoid villus
Blood vessel
Falx cerebri
(in longitudinal
fissure only)
Figure 12.24
Dura Mater
• Strongest meninx
• Two layers of fibrous connective tissue
(around the brain) separate to form dural
sinuses
Dura Mater
• Dural septa limit excessive movement of the
brain
• Falx cerebri—in the longitudinal fissure;
attached to crista galli
• Falx cerebelli—along the vermis of the
cerebellum
• Tentorium cerebelli—horizontal dural fold over
cerebellum and in the transverse fissure
Superior
sagittal sinus
Straight
sinus
Crista galli
of the
ethmoid
bone
Pituitary
gland
Falx cerebri
Tentorium
cerebelli
Falx
cerebelli
(a) Dural septa
Figure 12.25a
Arachnoid Mater
• Middle layer with weblike extensions
• Separated from the dura mater by the
subdural space
• Subarachnoid space contains CSF and blood
vessels
• Arachnoid villi protrude into the superior
sagittal sinus and permit CSF reabsorption
Superior
sagittal sinus
Subdural
space
Subarachnoid
space
Skin of scalp
Periosteum
Bone of skull
Periosteal Dura
Meningeal mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
Arachnoid villus
Blood vessel
Falx cerebri
(in longitudinal
fissure only)
Figure 12.24
Pia Mater
• Layer of delicate vascularized connective
tissue that clings tightly to the brain
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
• Composition
• Watery solution
• Less protein and different ion concentrations
than plasma
• Constant volume
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
• Functions
• Gives buoyancy to the CNS organs
• Protects the CNS from blows and other trauma
• Nourishes the brain and carries chemical
signals
Superior
sagittal sinus
4
Choroid
plexus
Arachnoid villus
Interventricular
foramen
Subarachnoid space
Arachnoid mater
Meningeal dura mater
Periosteal dura mater
1
Right lateral ventricle
(deep to cut)
Choroid plexus
of fourth ventricle
3
Third ventricle
1 CSF is produced by the
Cerebral aqueduct
Lateral aperture
Fourth ventricle
Median aperture
Central canal
of spinal cord
(a) CSF circulation
2
choroid plexus of each
ventricle.
2 CSF flows through the
ventricles and into the
subarachnoid space via the
median and lateral apertures.
Some CSF flows through the
central canal of the spinal cord.
3 CSF flows through the
subarachnoid space.
4 CSF is absorbed into the dural venous
sinuses via the arachnoid villi.
Figure 12.26a
Choroid Plexuses
• Produce CSF at a constant rate
• Hang from the roof of each ventricle
• Clusters of capillaries enclosed by pia mater
and a layer of ependymal cells
• Ependymal cells use ion pumps to control the
composition of the CSF and help cleanse CSF
by removing wastes
Ependymal
cells
Capillary
Section
of choroid
plexus
Connective
tissue of
pia mater
Wastes and
unnecessary
solutes absorbed
CSF forms as a filtrate
containing glucose, oxygen,
vitamins, and ions
(Na+, Cl–, Mg2+, etc.)
(b) CSF formation by choroid plexuses
Cavity of
ventricle
Figure 12.26b
Blood-Brain Barrier
• Helps maintain a stable environment for the
brain
• Separates neurons from some bloodborne
substances
Blood-Brain Barrier
• Composition
• Continuous endothelium of capillary walls
• Basal lamina
• Feet of astrocytes
• Provide signal to endothelium for the
formation of tight junctions
Capillary
Neuron
Astrocyte
(a) Astrocytes are the most abundant
CNS neuroglia.
Figure 11.3a
Blood-Brain Barrier: Functions
• Selective barrier
• Allows nutrients to move by facilitated diffusion
• Allows any fat-soluble substances to pass,
including alcohol, nicotine, and anesthetics
• Absent in some areas, e.g., vomiting center
and the hypothalamus, where it is necessary
to monitor the chemical composition of the
blood
Homeostatic Imbalances of the Brain
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussion—temporary alteration in function
• Contusion—permanent damage
• Subdural or subarachnoid hemorrhage—may
force brain stem through the foramen
magnum, resulting in death
• Cerebral edema—swelling of the brain
associated with traumatic head injury
Homeostatic Imbalances of the Brain
• Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs)(strokes)
• Blood circulation is blocked and brain tissue dies, e.g.,
blockage of a cerebral artery by a blood clot
• Typically leads to hemiplegia, or sensory and speed
deficits
• Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)—temporary
episodes of reversible cerebral ischemia
• Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) is the only
approved treatment for stroke
Homeostatic Imbalances of the Brain
• Degenerative brain disorders
• Alzheimer’s disease (AD): a progressive degenerative
disease of the brain that results in dementia
• Parkinson’s disease: degeneration of the dopaminereleasing neurons of the substantia nigra
• Huntington’s disease: a fatal hereditary disorder
caused by accumulation of the protein huntingtin that
leads to degeneration of the basal nuclei and cerebral
cortex
Spinal Cord
• Location
• Begins at the foramen magnum
• Ends as conus medullaris at L1 vertebra
• Functions
• Provides two-way communication to and from
the brain
• Contains spinal reflex centers
Spinal Cord: Protection
• Bone, meninges, and CSF
• Cushion of fat and a network of veins in the
epidural space between the vertebrae and
spinal dura mater
• CSF in subarachnoid space
Spinal Cord: Protection
• Denticulate ligaments: extensions of pia mater
that secure cord to dura mater
• Filum terminale: fibrous extension from conus
medullaris; anchors the spinal cord to the
coccyx
T12
Ligamentum
flavum
Lumbar puncture
needle entering
subarachnoid
space
L5
L4
Supraspinous
ligament
L5
Filum
terminale
S1
Intervertebral
disc
Arachnoid
matter
Dura
mater
Cauda equina
in subarachnoid
space
Figure 12.30
Cervical
enlargement
Dura and
arachnoid
mater
Lumbar
enlargement
Conus
medullaris
Cauda
equina
Filum
terminale
(a) The spinal cord and its nerve
roots, with the bony vertebral
arches removed. The dura mater
and arachnoid mater are cut
open and reflected laterally.
Cervical
spinal nerves
Thoracic
spinal nerves
Lumbar
spinal nerves
Sacral
spinal nerves
Figure 12.29a
Spinal Cord
• Spinal nerves
• 31 pairs
• Cervical and lumbar enlargements
• The nerves serving the upper and lower limbs
emerge here
• Cauda equina
• The collection of nerve roots at the inferior end
of the vertebral canal
Cross-Sectional Anatomy
• Two lengthwise grooves divide cord into right
and left halves
• Ventral (anterior) median fissure
• Dorsal (posterior) median sulcus
• Gray commissure—connects masses of gray
matter; encloses central canal
Epidural space
(contains fat)
Subdural space
Subarachnoid
space
(contains CSF)
Pia mater
Arachnoid
mater
Dura mater
Spinal
meninges
Bone of
vertebra
Dorsal root
ganglion
Body
of vertebra
(a) Cross section of spinal cord and vertebra
Figure 12.31a
Dorsal median sulcus
Dorsal funiculus
White
Ventral funiculus
columns Lateral funiculus
Dorsal root
ganglion
Gray
commissure
Dorsal horn Gray
Ventral horn matter
Lateral horn
Spinal nerve
Dorsal root
(fans out into
dorsal rootlets)
Ventral root
(derived from several
ventral rootlets)
Central canal
Ventral median
fissure
Pia mater
Arachnoid mater
Spinal dura mater
(b) The spinal cord and its meningeal coverings
Figure 12.31b
Gray Matter
• Dorsal horns—interneurons that receive
somatic and visceral sensory input
• Ventral horns—somatic motor neurons whose
axons exit the cord via ventral roots
• Lateral horns (only in thoracic and lumbar
regions) –sympathetic neurons
• Dorsal root (spinal) gangia—contain cell
bodies of sensory neurons
Dorsal root (sensory)
Dorsal root ganglion
Dorsal horn (interneurons)
Somatic
sensory
neuron
Visceral
sensory
neuron
Visceral
motor
neuron
Somatic
motor neuron
Spinal nerve
Ventral root
(motor)
Ventral horn
(motor neurons)
Interneurons receiving input from somatic sensory neurons
Interneurons receiving input from visceral sensory neurons
Visceral motor (autonomic) neurons
Somatic motor neurons
Figure 12.32
White Matter
• Consists mostly of ascending (sensory) and
descending (motor) tracts
• Transverse tracts (commissural fibers) cross
from one side to the other
• Tracts are located in three white columns
(funiculi on each side—dorsal (posterior),
lateral, and ventral (anterior)
• Each spinal tract is composed of axons with
similar functions