Carolina Mammal Brain Dissection Guide - Manual (Page 5)

Glossary
Arachnoid mater - middle of three layers (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebellum - part of the brain that controls balance and muscle coordination; located inferior to the
cerebrum.
Cerebral aqueduct - channel connecting the third and fourth ventricles and containing cerebrospinal fluid.
Cerebrum - two hemispheres divided by the medial longitudinal fissure; largest portion of the mammalian
brain.
Choroids plexus - network of capillaries located in the roof of ventricles; contributes to production of
cerebrospinal fluid.
Corpus callosum - large band of nervous tissue that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.
Cortex - outer portion of the cerebrum.
Cranial nerves - twelve pairs of nerves that leave the brain.
Diencephalon - region of the brain made up of the thalamus and hypothalamus.
Dura mater - tough connective tissue layer that serves as the outer layer of the meninges.
Gray matter - areas of the brain and spinal cord containing cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons;
found in the cerebral cortex of the brain and inner portion of the spinal cord.
Gyri - the folds of the cerebral cortex (singular = gyrus).
Hippocampus - a region below the lateral ventricles; involved with emotional states and converting short-
term memory to long-term memory.
Hypophysis - pituitary gland; controls a number of endocrine glands.
Hypothalamus - part of the diencephalon; inferior to the thalamus and responsible for regulation and
maintenance of internal homeostasis by controlling body temperature, appetite, fluid balance, etc.
Medulla - the most inferior portion of the brain stem; contains centers for heart rate, blood pressure, and
respiration. Also contains reflex centers controlling coughing, sneezing, hiccupping, etc.
Midbrain - the part of the brain between the pons and the diencephalon.
Olfactory bulb - contains cell bodies of neurons that synapse with neurons of the olfactory nerves.
Optic chiasma - crossing point of the optic nerves.
Pia mater - innermost of the meninges layers.
Pineal body - endocrine gland located in the roof of the third ventricle; secretes melatonin.
Pons - anterior to the medulla; contains nerve tracts that connect the cerebellum with other parts of the
brain and spinal cord.
Sulci - grooves between gyri of the brain (singular = sulcus).
Thalamus - part of the diencephalon, superior to the hypothalamus; serves as a sensory relay center. Most
sensory nerves enter it and their impulses are sent to the appropriate cerebral region.
Ventricle - one of four cavities in the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
White matter - bundles of myelinated axons within the brain and spinal cord; found in the inner portions of
the cerebrum and outer regions of the spinal cord.
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