Brain Physiology
MMHS Anatomy and Physiology
Chitraroff
I. Cerebrum: Motor and Sensory
A. Motor/Sensory=send and receive
information.
1. Primary Motor Cortex – directs voluntary
movements.
2. Primary Sensory Cortex – receives
information regarding touch, pressure,
pain, taste and temperature.
3. Other sensory areas….see CNS chart!
Cerebrum
B. Association Areas = interpret incoming
and outgoing information.
1. Premotor cortex – coordinates learned
motor responses (recognition of letters
and words and eye movements across a
page).
2. Visual Association—understanding of
letters and words.
Cerebrum
C. Integrative Centers
1.General Interpretive Area
a. receives information from all sensory
association areas.
b. present in only 1 hemisphere (usually left).
c. helps to understand what is read or heard.
Cerebrum
C. Integrative Centers
2. Speech Center— ”Broca’s Area”
a. Impulses come from general interpretive
area.
b. Regulates breathing and vocalization for
normal speech.
c. Motor commands regulated by “Wernicke’s
Area”.
Speech
Broca = (anterior) production of speech.
Wernicke = (posterior) speech comprehension of
speech.
Cerebrum
D. The Limbic System
1.
2.
3.
4.
Establishes emotions.
Links conscious and unconscious actions.
Memory storage and retrieval
Reticular formation
a. Produces heightened alertness (stimulated)
b. Lethargy/sleep (inhibited)
Cerebrum
E. Diencephalon
1. Origins of pairs 11/12 of cranial nerves.
2. Pineal gland – secretes melatonin which
regulates day/night cycles and reproductive
functions.
3. Thalamus
a. Final relay point for ascending sensory
information.
b. Filters information and passes on a small portion
to the cerebral cortex.
Cerebrum
E. Diencephalon
4. Hypothalamus
a. stimulated by sensory information, changes
in CSF, or chemical stimuli.
b. directs motor patterns associated with
emotions (facial expresssions)
c. heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and
respiration regulation (as related to chemical
stimulus or inhibition).
II. Cerebellum
A. Functions
1. Balance and equilibrium
2. Voluntary and involuntary muscle
movements.
III. Brain Stem
A. Mesencephalon (Midbrain)
1. Superior colliculus—processes visual
stimulation (e.g. Startling reflex for bright
lights)
2. Inferior colliculus—processes auditory
stimulation (startling reflex for loud sounds).
III. Brain Stem
B. Pons
1. Links cerebellum with other parts of the
brain.
2. Sensory and motor nuclei for 4 cranial
nerves.
3. Involuntary control of respiration
4. Ascending and descending tracts pass
through this area.
III. Brain Stem
C. Medulla oblangata
1. Connected to the spinal cord
2. All communication between brain and spinal
cord (relay stations).
3. Autonomic controls of cardiovascular and
respiratory centers.
The Female Brain
The Male Brain