Memory Action Step #3 = Brain Definitions Form

MEMORY ACTION STEP #3:
BRAIN DEFINITIONS FORM

You can now compare your choices from the "brain names" screen (or printout sheet) of Memory Action Step #2 with the definitions listed on this screen or printout glossary sheet:

DEFINITIONS OF YOUR BRAIN'S FIFTEEN MAIN ORGANIC PARTS

[1] Cerebral Cortex = (1) The surface of the two cerebral hemispheres (left and right) that consists of six layers of nerve cell bodies 2-4 mm thick; (2) the outer 2-4 mm of your brain's cerebral hemispheres with a layered structure --- not required for performing many simple actions, but essential for creating new episodic memories, the fancier associations, and many new movement programs; it has a six-plus-layered neocortex. The "neocortex" is all your cerebral cortex except places such as the hippocampus, which is the simpler layered structure that lacks the patterned recurrent excitatory connections and columnar structures that make the neocortex so interesting and important to human thinking and behavior.

[2] Corpus Callosum = (1) The "great commissural plate" of nerve fibers connecting your two cerebral hemispheres, except does not connect the temporal lobes of your brain.

[3] Hypothalamus = The part of your brain that has nine specific critical functions that support human life by regulating other body parts, including your amygdala (see #15, below).

[4] Thalamus = The part of your brain with several nuclei having four basic functions, including acting as a relay station for all sensory impulses to your cerebral cortex.

[5] Midbrain = The part of your brain with three basic functions, including relaying impulses from the cerebral cortex to the pons and spinal cord and relaying sensory impulses from the spinal cord to your thalamus.

[6] Cerebellum = The part of your brain that controls subconscious skeletal muscle contractions required for coordination, posture, and balance.

[7] Reticular-Activating System = The top of your brain that is the middle section of your frontal lobes. It allows you to shift your attention freely from one thing to another. When it is overactive you may get "stuck" on certain thoughts or behaviors (see Daniel Amen's book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, page 30).

[8] Spinal Cord = The part of your brain that is an extension of your brain stem beginning at the "foramen magnum" and continuing down through your "vertebral canal" to the first "lumbar vertebra." It has two functions, (1) transmitting nerve impulses via neurons in the "white matter" of your spinal cord by transmitting sensory signals from the peripheral regions to your brain and motor signals from your brain to peripheral regions; and (2) transmitting spinal reflexes via neurons in the "gray matter" of your spinal cord integrating incoming sensory information and responses with motor impulses that control your muscles, including skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles, or glands.

[9] Medulla Oblongata = The part of your brain with six basic functions, including being the cause of your consciousness, and the source of your arousal, and the place that your physival equilibrium is maintained.

[10] Pons = The part of your brain with three basic functions, including (1) acting as a relay within your brain and between parts of your brain and spinal cord; (2) containing the nuclei of origin for cranial nerves V, VI, VII, and VIII; (3) containing "pneumotaxic area" and "apneustic area," which together with your medulla helps control your breathing.

[11] Brain Stem = The part of your brain that contains your medulla, pons, and midbrain.

[12] Pituitary Gland = This gland controls your endocrine system, including your electrolytes, which are salts such as sodium, chloride and potassium chemicals, essential for the healthy functioning of your brain and nervous system. The electrolytes nourish your neuron networks and synapses for easy painfree movement.

[13] Meninges = They are the protective coverings of the brain or "cranial meninges" and spinal cord or "spinal meninges," which consist of three layers of membranous connective tissue: (1) the "dura mater" is the tough outer layer lying just inside your skull and vertebrae; (2) the "arachnoid mater" is the "middle meninx" which contains blood vessels and circulates CSF in fine threads of tissue resembling a spider web; (3) and the "pia mater" is the "innermost meninx" layer which tightly covers the brain following all its convolutions and the spinal cord, carrying blood vessels that provide nourishment to these nervous system tissues.

[14] Caudate Nucleus = The part of your brain in the "telencephalic nucleus," one of the input nuclei of the "basal ganglia." It is involved with the control of voluntary movement in the brain. It is the part of the "striate body" which lies under the floor of the "lateral ventricle." It curves from an anterior headlike swelling to a posterior narrow tail-like termination continuous with the "amygdaloid nucleus."

[15] Amygdala = The small almond-shaped brain structure in your hypothalamus that is involved in producing and responding to nonverbal signs of anger, avoidance, defensiveness, and fear. Its small mass of gray matter inspires aversive cues, such as the freeze reaction, sweaty palms, or the tense-dry-mouth display when you are afraid or feel threatened.

Many gestures reflect your amygdala's turmoil. In an anxious meeting, you may unconsciously flex your arms, lean away, or angle away from colleagues who upset you. Your lip, neck, and shoulder muscles may tense as your amygdala activates brain-stem circuits designed to produce protective facial expressions, such as "tense-mouth" or protective postures, such as "bow" and "crouch." Your amygdala also prompts the release of adrenaline and other hormones into your blood stream. This starts an "avoider's response" and disrupts your control over your rational humanistic ethical thought processes!

In addition, your amygdala coordinates the actions of your "autonomic" and "endocrine" systems and is involved in the expression of your emotions. In this way, it is part of a general-purpose defense response control network. Also, unpleasant odors can activate your amygdala and your cortex in your "temporal lobe" or "insula."

In the broader evolutionary context, in addition to its other practical current functions, your amygdala's gray matter evolved to mediate the evolutionary ancient chemical nervous system, represented today by your blood stream. Working through your hypothalamus, your tiny amygdala releases hormones, including adrenalin and endorphins, into your circulating blood stream. Also, after the surgical removal of the amygdala tissue from research animals and human patients, the sounds of growls, screams, angry voices, and other negative signs may lose their meaning and become incomprehensible as feeling cues representing genuine animal and human emotions.

For more online details about the purpose of your amygdala, you can google the phrase "amygdala purpose."

DEFINITIONS OF YOUR BRAIN'S FIVE MAIN FUNCTIONAL AREAS:

[1] Your CEREBRAL CORTEX is involved in your perceptual awareness and other higher mental functions where your recognition and interpretation of sensory stimuli is based chiefly on memory, which results in new insights, intuition, or knowledge gained by the simple act of perceiving life with your five senses.

[2] Your PREFRONTAL CORTEX is involved in your conscious thinking processes, especially when you make new choices by using your brainpower.

[3] Your LIMBIC SYSTEM is involved in the expression of your instincts and feeling processes, including your many moods, since it includes your hypothalamus and amygdala.

[4] Your CEREBELLUM is involved in your posture and many coordinated movements.

[5] Your BRAINSTEM controls your body's most basic unconscious life-sustaining functions, including your breathing and heartbeat.

Next, you can summarize in your own words your new basic brainpower knowledge by choosing Memory Action Step #4 at the following link:

Go to Memory Action Step #4: Memory Consolidation Form