BASIC FUNCTIONAL

NEUROANATOMY
Presented by: Afsaneh Zargarani
GLOSSERY

 TRACT

 ASCENDING

 DESCENDING

 IPSILATERAL

 CONTRALATERAL
GLOSSARY

 BODY AXIS-NEURAXIS

1. ANTERIOR (ROSTRAL) VS POSTERIR (CAUDAL)

2. DORSAL VS VENTRAL

3. LATERAL

4. MEDIAL (MESIAL)

5. PROXIMAL

6. DISTAL
TOPOGRAPHY OF THE DEVELOPING BRAIN
NEURAXIS
SECTIONS

 TRANSVERSELY :like a loaf of a

bread – also called CROSS sections.

 Parallel to the ground, giving us

HORIZENTAL sections.

 Perpendicular to the ground and

parallel to the neuraxis – SAGITTAL
section- mid sagittal plane divides the
brain in half along the longitudinal
fissure.

 Because of our upright posture , cross

sections of our spinal cord are actually
parallel to the ground.
THE NEURON

 Cells in the brain are grouped into neurons and glia

1. Neurons are the functional units

2. Glia is a term for a broad class of supporting cells

 Neurons are connected by synapses which allow them to

communicate with each other.
THE NEURON

 Dendrites and soma (cell body)

receive chemical information from
neighboring neuronal axons.

 The chemical information is

converted to electrical currents
which travel toward and converge
on the soma.

 A major impulse is produced (the

action potential) and travels down
the axon toward the terminal.
THE NEURON
MAMMALIAN NERVOUS SYSTEM

 Central nervous system(CNS)

 Autonomic nervous system(ANS) as a part of CNS

 Peripheral nervous system(PNS)

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

 Brain

 Spinal cord
SPINAL CORD

 Spinal cord lies in the vertebral canal.

 Extends from level of cranial border of

Atlas to Lower border of L1vertebrae
or upper border of L2 in adults.

 Spinal cord has cervical (C5-T1) and

Lumbar (L3-S2) enlargements.

 Although it is a continuous and non-

segmental structure, 31 pair of
originating nerves give it segmental
appearance.
31 PAIR OF SPINAL CORD NERVES

 8 Cervical

 12 Thoracic

 5 Lumbar

 5 Sacral

 1 Coccygeal
 CROSS SECTIONAL ANATOMY OF
SPINAL CORD
 Central placed gray metter (H-shaped)
surrounded by white matter.

 External surface marked by ventral median

fissure and dorsal median sulcus dividing
cord into 2 symmetric halves.

 Each lateral column has a dorsal horn and a

ventral horn.

 Additionally there is intermediolateral gray

column:

1. T1 to L2 giving rise to preganglionic

sympathetic autonomic fibers.

2. S2,S3,S4 parasympathetic outflow.

TRACTS OF SPINAL CORD

 A collection of nerve fibers within the

central nervous system, that connects two
masses of gray matter is called a tract.

 A tract may also be defined as a

collection of nerve fibers having the same
origin, course, and termination.

 Tracts may be ascending or descending.

 Usually named after the masses of gray

matter connected by them.

 Tracts are also sometimes referred as

fasciculi (bundles) or lemnisci (ribbons).
MAJOR DESCENDING TRACTS

 Corticospinal tracts

 Rubrospinal tracts

 Tectospinal tracts

 Vestibulospinal tracts

 Olivospinal tracts
MAJOR ASCENDING TRACTS

 Posterior column ( medial lemniscal pathway)

 Spinothalamic tracts

 Spinocerebellar tracts

 Convey afferent impulses arising in various parts of body to different

parts of brain, Formed by axons of cells in spinal gray matter.
BRAIN

 Brain stem

 Limbic cortex

 Cerebral cortex
THE BRAINSTEM

 Consists of all structures from the thalamus to the spinal cord.

 Regulatory functions: eating, drinking, body temperature, sleep and

waking, basic movement and learning.

 Generally speaking, these structures rule functions that are hard-

wired, automatic and not very plastic.
THE BRAINSTEM
THE BRAINSTEM - THALAMUS

 A relay center for sensory information

(touch, vision, hearing) ; located near
the middle of the cerebral hemispheres.

1. Fibers project to primary sensory areas

in neocortex.

2. There are separate nuclei for vision,

touch, hearing.

3. Not a passive structure because the

majority (80%) of it’s connections arre
not from sensory neurons, but from the
neocortex (including motor areas).
THE BRAINSTEM -
HYPOTHALAMUS
 Controls all aspects of motivated
(pleasure and pain) and regulatory
behavior.

1. Autonomic (vegetative) system

2. Superior to the pituitary gland,

reciprocal connections with it.

3. Master gland : closely involved in the

regulation and secretion of hormones.

4. 0.3% of the brain’s weight.

THE BRAINSTEM – RETICULAR FORMATION

 Constellation of 90+ nuclei at the base of the brainstem.

 Bundles of fibers as well as projections that pass through to the

forebrain from the spinal cord.

 A host of regulatory vegetative functions.

 Connections with cerebral cortex and thalamus.

THE BRAINSTEM - CEREBELLUM

 Conspicuous structure protruding

froem the posterior brain; “little
brain”.

1. Distinctive narrow folds (folia),

similar to sulci in neocortex.

2. Involved in aspects of learning and

coordination of skilled or smooth
movement.

3. Posture, walking, equilibrium.

THE BRAINSTEM

 By and large, there is little that distinguishes mammals from reptiles

in terms of brainstem structure and function.

 An evolutionary turning point occurred with the specialization of

limbic cortex in mammals.

 Functions of brainstem are not replaced; rather, they are modified or

enhanced by interacting with newer phylogenic structures.
THE LIMBIC CORTEX

 Three layer cortical structure

covering the periphery of the
brainstem, on the ventral surface
of lateral ventricles.

 Primarily known for it’s role in

emotion, (emotional) learning
and memory.

 Also plays a role in spatial

learning and olfaction
(memories of odour)
THE LIMBIC CORTEX - HIPPOCAMPUS

 Located next to the lateral

ventricle in the temporal lobe.

 Along with the fornix,

mammillary bodies, and
cingulate gyrus is involved in
learning and memory.
THE LIMBIC CORTEX -
AMYGDALA
 Located anterior to the
hippocampus.

 The only part of the limbic

system responsible for emotional
responses. other areas involved
with learning and memory of
emotions (recognition of
emotional events).
THE LIMBIC CORTEX - FORNIX

 A bundle of axons that connects

hippocampus with other regions
of the brain, including the
mammillary bodies (containing
some of the thalamic nuclei).
CEREBRAL CORTEX

 Six layered structure.

 Includes most of two symmetrical cerebral hemispheres.

 The cerebral hemispheres contain the limbic cortex.

 The majority of the surface of the cerebral hemisphere is called the

neocortex.

 Part of the cerebral cortex is buried in the frontal lobes (i.e. insula-
taste, sensation and memory).
CEREBRAL CORTEX

 In human the cerebral cortex is very

convoluted.

 About two-third of the brain surface is found

in the sulci and fissures.

 The total surface area of the cortex is

approximately 2360 cm3, 3mm (2-5 mm)
thick.

 Sulci are small grooves, fissures are large

grooves and gyri are bulges between sulci or
fissures.

 Greatly enlarge the surface area of brain.

 Provides additional neurons for higher

cognitive functions.
CEREBRAL CORTEX

 The cortex is made up mostly of glia (support cells) and the cell
bodies, dendrites and interconneccting neurons.

 Neuron cell bodies are grayish brown – that is why the cortex is
called gray matter.

 Beneath the cerebral cortex run millions of axons ensheathed in

myelin – white matter- that connects the neurons of the cerebral
cortex with those located elsewhere.
CEREBRAL CORTEX

 Significant individual differences in the

sulci and gyri, however, there are major
landmarks common to every one.

 The LONGITUDINAL FISSURE

devides most of the cortex into left and
right sides.

 The CENTRAL SULCUS provides an

important dividing line between the
anterior and posterior regions of the
cerebral cortex.

 Anterior: planning and executing

movements.

 Posterior: sensation, perception and

learning.
CEREBRAL CORTEX

 Although two cerebral hemispheres coopertae with each other, they

do not perform indentical functions.

 Some functions are lateralized – located primerily on one side of the

brain.

 The left hemisphere is involved in analysis of information –

extraction of elements thet make up a whole.

 For instance the left hemisphere is good at recognizing serial events.

CEREBRAL CORTEX

 The right hemisphere is specialized for

synthesis – putting isolated elements together
to perceive a whole.

 During normal functioning of the brain we

are not aware of lateralization.

 Our perceptions and memories are unified by

corpus callosum – a band of axons that
connects the two cerebral hemispheres.

 Connects topographically – i.e. areas of the

brain that are the same region on both sides.

 The corpus callosum is the largest

commissure of the brain – cross- hemispheric
connection.
CEREBRAL CORTEX – BASAL
GANGLIA
 A collection of subcortical nuclei in the
forebrain.

 Lie beneath the Anterior portion of the

lateral ventricles.

 The major parts are: caudate nucleus,

putamen and the globus pallidus.

 These structures are involved in the

control of movement (frontal lobe).

 Parkinson’s disease result from

degeneration of the connections between
the midbrain and the caudate nucleus and
putamen.
CEREBRAL CORTEX

 It is subdivided into 4 areas or lobes, named

for bones of the skull that cover them.

1. FRONTAL LOBES – include everything in

front of the central fissure.

2. PARIETAL LOBES –are located on the sides

of the cerebral hemispheres, just behind the
central sulcus and caudal to the frontal lobes.

3. TEMPORAL LOBES –are lateral and ventral

to the frontal and parietal lobes.

4. OCCIPITAL LOBES – back of the brain-

caudal to the parietal and temporal lobes.
CEREBRAL CORTEX
CEREBRAL CORTEX
CEREBRAL CORTEX

 Three areas of the cerebral cortex receive

contrallateral information from the sensory
organs.

1. PRIMARY VISUAL CORTEX – back of the

brain on the inner surfaces of the cerebral
hemispheres – upper and lower parts of
calcarine.

2. PRIMARY AUDITORY CORTEX – is

located on the upper surface of a deep fissure
in the side of the brain – lateral fissure.

3. PRIMARY SOMATOSENSORY CORTEX

– ventral strip of cortex caudal to the central
sulcus – receives information from body
senses primarily touch, pressure and pain.
CEREBRAL CORTEX
CEREBRAL CORTEX -
HOMUNCLUS
CEREBRAL CORTEX - HOMUNCULUS
CEREBRAL CORTEX – PRIMARY MOTOR CORTEX

 Just anterior to the central sulcus and the primary somatosensory

cortex.

 Most directly involved in the control of movement.

 Neurons in different parts of the motor cortex are connected to

different muscles in the body (homunculus).

 Connections to muscles are contralateral.

CEREBRAL CORTEX – ASSOCIATION AREAS

 The primary parts of the cortex take up a small proportion of the

cortex.

 The rest of the cortex is made up of ASSOCIATION areas.

CEREBRAL CORTEX – SENSORY ASSOCIATION AREAS

 Each primary sensory area of the cerebral cortex sends information

to the adjacent regions – SENSORY ASSOCIATION CORTEX.

1. Usually posterior.

2. Circuits of the neurons in these areas analyze the information

received from the primary cortex.

3. Perception takes place there and memories stored there.

CEREBRAL CORTEX – SENSORY ASSOCIATION AREAS

 The regions of the sensory association cortex located closest to

primary cortices receive information from only one sensory system.
 E.g. region closest to primary visual cortex is involved in visual
perception and stores visual memories.
 Regions further away from the primary cortices integrate information
multiple sensory systems – involved in several kinds of perception
and memories.
 Combining vision and hearing to recognize a face or to understand
language.
CEREBRAL CORTEX – FRONTAL ASSOCIATION CORTEX

 The FRONTAL ASSOCIATION CORTEX is involved in the

planning and execution of movements.

1. the motor association cortex is located directly rostral to the primary

motor cortex.

2. This region controls the primary motor cortex – direct control over
behavior.

3. The rest of the frontal lobe, rostral to the motor association cortex is
known as prefrontal cortex – formulation of plans of strategies.
CEREBRAL CORTEX - ASSOCIATION CORTEX
I DO APPRECIATE YOUR SINCERE
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