Download Sp.CBSTH functions

Thalamus



The thalamus
(from GREEK = bedroom, chamber)
Functionally considered as the great
sensory gateway to the cerebral cortex
Functions of Thalamus




Sensory integration and relay station for
all the sensory pathways
Except Olfactory
Recognition of crude pain
Temperature & touch





Influences voluntary movements by
receiving impulses from
Basal ganglia
Cerebellum
Participates in maintenance of state of
wakefulness & alertness through RAS
Role in emotions & recent memory
Brain stem





The brain stem is the lower part of the
brain, adjoining and structurally
continuous with the spinal cord.
Parts of brain stem:
Pons
Medulla oblongata
Midbrain
Pons


Relays sensory information between the
cerebellum and cerebrum.
Control of respiration:
 The apneustic center - lower pons
 The pneumotaxic center - upper pons

A number of cranial nerve nuclei are
present in the pons (from top to
bottom):
 The trigeminal nerve, abducen
nucleus, vestibulocochlear nuclei,
facial nerve nucleus
Medulla oblongata

Function:






controls autonomic functions:
Respiration
Blood pressure
Heart rate
Reflex arcs
Vomiting





Relays nerve signals between the brain and
spinal cord
Cranial nerve nuclei:
The hypoglossal nerve
Glossopharyngeal and
Vagus nerves.
Reticular formation





Diffuse network of fibers
Control physical behaviors
Sleep
Fatigue
Motivation to perform various activities,
walking, eating, urination
spinal cord


The spinal cord is an extension of the brain
Enclosed in and protected by the bony
Vertebral column
Main function

Transmission of neural inputs between
the periphery and the brain.
The peripheral regions of the spinal cord
contains neuronal white matter tracts
containing sensory and motor neurons.
The central region is gray matter that
contains nerve cell bodies.

The spinal cord is divided into 31 different
segments:





8 cervical segments
12 thoracic segments
5 lumbar segments
5 sacral segments
1 coccygeal segment
Connections between brain and
spinal cord

The corticospinal or pyramidal tract
is a massive collection of axons that
travel between the cerebral cortex of the
brain and the spinal cord.