Chapter 12 - The central nervous system (part c), in this chapter you will learn about the following: Functional brain systems, limbic system, limbic system: emotion and cognition, reticular formation, reticular formation: RAS and motor function, electroencephalogram (EEG), brain waves,.and other contents. | 12 The Central Nervous System: Part C Functional Brain Systems Networks of neurons that work together and span wide areas of the brain Limbic system Reticular formation Limbic System Structures on the medial aspects of cerebral hemispheres and diencephalon Includes parts of the diencephalon and some cerebral structures that encircle the brain stem Figure Corpus callosum Septum pellucidum Olfactory bulb Diencephalic structures of the limbic system •Anterior thalamic nuclei (flanking 3rd ventricle) •Hypothalamus •Mammillary body Fiber tracts connecting limbic system structures •Fornix •Anterior commissure Cerebral struc- tures of the limbic system •Cingulate gyrus •Septal nuclei •Amygdala •Hippocampus •Dentate gyrus •Parahippocampal gyrus Limbic System Emotional or affective brain Amygdala—recognizes angry or fearful facial expressions, assesses danger, and elicits the fear response Cingulate gyrus—plays a role in expressing emotions via gestures, and resolves mental conflict Puts emotional responses to odors Example: skunks smell bad Limbic System: Emotion and Cognition The limbic system interacts with the prefrontal lobes, therefore: We can react emotionally to things we consciously understand to be happening We are consciously aware of emotional richness in our lives Hippocampus and amygdala—play a role in memory Reticular Formation Three broad columns along the length of the brain stem Raphe nuclei Medial (large cell) group of nuclei Lateral (small cell) group of nuclei Has far-flung axonal connections with hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and spinal cord Reticular Formation: RAS and Motor Function RAS (reticular activating system) Sends impulses to the cerebral cortex to keep it conscious and alert Filters out repetitive and weak stimuli (~99% of all stimuli!) Severe injury results in permanent unconsciousness (coma) Reticular Formation: RAS and Motor Function Motor function Helps control coarse limb movements Reticular autonomic . | 12 The Central Nervous System: Part C Functional Brain Systems Networks of neurons that work together and span wide areas of the brain Limbic system Reticular formation Limbic System Structures on the medial aspects of cerebral hemispheres and diencephalon Includes parts of the diencephalon and some cerebral structures that encircle the brain stem Figure Corpus callosum Septum pellucidum Olfactory bulb Diencephalic structures of the limbic system •Anterior thalamic nuclei (flanking 3rd ventricle) •Hypothalamus •Mammillary body Fiber tracts connecting limbic system structures •Fornix •Anterior commissure Cerebral struc- tures of the limbic system •Cingulate gyrus •Septal nuclei •Amygdala •Hippocampus •Dentate gyrus •Parahippocampal gyrus Limbic System Emotional or affective brain Amygdala—recognizes angry or fearful facial expressions, assesses danger, and elicits the fear response Cingulate gyrus—plays a role in expressing emotions via gestures, and resolves mental conflict .
