A] Brain.
Brain is situated in a completely closed cranial cavity.
Human brain constitutes about 1/50th of the body
weight.
Parts of brain are as follows:-
1. Cerebrum.
2. The Brain Stem.
Mid Brain.
Pons.
Medulla oblongata.
3. Cerebellum.
Blood Supply to the Brain.
Brain receives about 15% of the cardiac output (750ml
blood/minute).
Autoregulation keeps blood flow to the brain constant
by adjusting diameter of arterioles across wide range
of arterial BP (65-140 mm of Hg.).
Brain is supplied with arterial blood by Circulus
Arteriosus (Circle of Willis).
4 large arteries contribute to form circle of willis (2
internal carotid arteries & 2 Vertebral arteries)
Vertebral arteries are branches of subclavian arteries
which passes upward through foramen magnum &
joints to form Basilar Artery.
Circle of Willis.
Anteriorly 2 anterior cerebral arteries (branches of internal
carotid artery) joints by anterior communicating artery.
Posteriorly Basilar (2 vertebral) artery divides to form 2
posterior cerebral arteries.
These 2 posterior cerebral arteries joints to corresponding
internal carotid artery by posterior communicating artery to
form complete circle.
Thus 10 arteries forming Circulus Arteriosus are:-
2 Anterior cerebral arteries.
2 Internal carotid arteries.
1 Anterior communication arteries.
2 Posterior communicating arteries.
2 Posterior cerebral arteries.And 1 Basilar artery.
Blood Supply to the Brain continued….
Circle of Willis supplies arterial blood to brain:-
Anterior cerebral arteries supplies anterior part of the brain.
Middle cerebral arteries pass laterally to supply sides of
brain.
Posterior part of brain is supplied by posterior cerebral
arteries.
Branches of Basilar artery supplies part of brain stem.
The arrangement in Circle of willis is such that the
Brain as a whole receives an adequate blood supply
even when a contributing artery is damaged &/or
during extreme movements of the head & neck.
Parts of Brain.
a) Cerebrum:-
Cerebrum is the largest part of the brain & it
occupies the anterior & middle cranial fossae.
It is divided by deep cleft (Longitudinal
cerebral fissure) into Rt. & Lt. Hemispheres.
Deep within the brain the hemispheres are
connected by a mass of white matter called as
Corpus Callosum.
The Falx Cerebri formed by dura matter
separates two hemispheres & penetrates
deep up to Corpus Callosum.
Cerebrum Continued….
Superficial (peripheral) part of brain composed of
Nerve cell bodies (Gray matter) forms cerebral
cortex.
Deeper layers are composed of Nerve fibers called
as White matter.
Cerebral cortex consist of number of in folding
(furrows) of varying depth increasing surface area
of the Cerebrum.
The exposed area of the folds called as Gyri
(Convolutions) & these are separated by Sulci
(Fissures).
Lobes of Cerebrum.
For descriptive purpose each hemisphere of
cerebrum is divided into lobes named according to
bones of the cranium.
1. Frontal lobe. 3. Parietal lobes.
2. Temporal lobes. 4. Occipital Lobe.
Boundaries of lobes are marked by deep Sulci
these are:-
Central Sulci:- Separates frontal & Parietal lobes.
Parieto-occiputal Sulci:- Parietal & Occiputal lobes.
Lateral Sulci:- Frontal & Parietal lobes from Temporal
lobes.
Interior of The Cerebrum.
Cerebral surface is composed of grey matter but deep
within the cerebrum lobes are connected by masses of
nerve fibers (Tract) which makes the white matter of the
brain.
Afferent & efferent fibers links the different parts of the
brain & spinal cord are:-
1. Association (Arcuate) Tracts :- Connects different parts of
a cerebral hemispheres by extending from one Gyrus to
another. Some of these are adjacent & some are distant.
2. Commissural Tracts:- Connects corresponding areas of
the two cerebral hemisphere. The largest & most important
commissure is Corpus Callosum.
3. Projection tracts:- It connects Cerebral cortex with Gery
matter of lower parts of brain & with spinal cord.e.g.
Internal capsule.
Internal Capsule.
Internal capsule (Projection Tracts) lies deep
within the brain between Basal Ganglia & the
Thalamus.
Many nerve impulses passing to & form
cortex are carried by fibers of internal
capsule.
Motor fibers within the internal capsule forms
the Pyramidal (Corticospinal) tracts that
cross over (decussate) at the medulla
oblongata.
Functions of Cerebral Cortex.
The three main varieties of activities associated with
the cerebral cortex are:-
1. Higher Functions (Centers):-
Mental activities includes:-
Memory, Intelligence, Sense of responsibility, Thinking,
Reasoning, Moral sense, & Learning.
2. Sensory Perception including:-
Pain, Temperature, Touch, Sight, Hearing, Taste & Smell.
3. Initiation & Control of Skeletal muscle contraction :-
All voluntary Movements.
