Nervous System Practical: Structures of the Brain

Introduction

• Focus on identifying key brain structures from an inferior view.
• Understanding terminology:
  • Gyrus (singular), Gyri (plural): Convoluted tissue of the brain.
  • Sulcus (singular), Sulci (plural): Shallow grooves separating gyri.

Orientation of the Brain

• Posterior: Rear portion of the brain.
• Anterior: Front portion of the brain.
• Lateral: Side portion of the brain.

Key Brain Structures

Gyri and Sulci

• Gyrus: Convoluted tissue in the brain.
• Sulcus: Shallow groove separating one gyrus from another.
• Central Sulcus: A continuous groove from the longitudinal fissure to the lateral sulcus.
• Lateral Sulcus: Separates the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe.

Cerebral Hemispheres

• Right Cerebral Hemisphere: Right half-circle of the brain.
• Left Cerebral Hemisphere: Left half-circle of the brain.
• Longitudinal Fissure: Deep groove separating the two hemispheres.
• Transverse Fissure: Deep groove separating cerebral hemispheres from cerebellar hemispheres.

Gyri Associated with Sulci

• Precentral Gyrus: Located anterior to the central sulcus.
• Postcentral Gyrus: Located posterior to the central sulcus.

Brain Lobes

• Frontal Lobe: Anterior to the central sulcus.
• Parietal Lobe: Posterior to the frontal lobe.
• Occipital Lobe: Most posterior lobe of the brain.
• Temporal Lobe: Lateral lobe, below the lateral sulcus.

Additional Brain Structures

• Corpus Callosum: Connects the two cerebral hemispheres.
• Thalamus: Structure involved in sensory perception.
• Hypothalamus: Located below the thalamus (hypo = below).
• Septum Pellucidum: Thin membrane separating lateral ventricles.
• Olfactory Bulb/Lobe: Associated with the sense of smell and the olfactory nerve.
• Optic Chiasma: X-shaped crossing of optic nerves, located near the pituitary gland.
  • Pituitary Gland: Gland located near the optic chiasma.