SPPA 2050

Speech Anatomy and Physiology

Tasko

Unit 6: Central Nervous System

Learning Objectives

  • Provide the general overview of neural communication.
  • Distinguish between the intracellular space, cell membrane, and extracellular space.
  • Describe the operation of sodium-potassium pump and its role in establishing the resting membrane potential.
  • Differentiate between depolarization and hyperpolarization.
  • Describe how receptor-mediated channels can be used to change membrane potential.
  • Describe how specialized sensory endings can be used to change membrane potential.
  • Describe how voltage-gated channels can be used to change membrane potential.
  • Define and differentiate excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSPs) and inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (IPSPs).
  • Describe how post-synaptic potentials can summate using temporal summation or spatial summation.
  • Describe what happens when EPSPs summate and reach the threshold value for a neuron.
  • Differentiate between a post-synaptic potential and an action potential.
  • Describe the course of events and basic features of an action potential.
  • Define conduction velocity and describe the role myelin plays in determining conduction velocity for a neuron.
  • Describe the sequence of events that occur when an action potential reaches the axon terminal.
  • Describe the role that neurotransmitters play in neuronal communication.
  • Outline the key components of the stretch reflex.
  • Describe the sequence of events that occur during a stretch (knee-jerk) reflex.
  • Outline the basic organizational structure of the central nervous system.
  • Differentiate between white matter and gray matter.
  • Describe the basic structure of the cerebral hemispheres, and the cerebral cortex.
  • Identify and describe the various lobes of the cerebral hemispheres.
  • Describe the different types of white matter tracts (fasciculi) that are present in the CNS.
  • Identify and define the corpus callosum, corona radiata and internal capsule.
  • Identify the key components of the basal ganglia.
  • Describe the basic functions of the basal ganglia.
  • Describe some clinical conditions that arise from disorders of the basal ganglia.
  • Identify the key components of the thalamus.
  • Describe the basic functions of the thalamus.
  • Describe the basic functions of the hypothalamus.
  • Identify the key components of the cerebellum.
  • Describe the basic functions of the cerebellum.
  • Describe some clinical conditions that arise from disorders of the cerebellum.
  • Identify the key components of the limbic system.
  • Describe the basic functions of the limbic system.
  • Identify the key components of the brainstem.
  • Describe the basic functions of the brainstem.
  • Identify general regions where cranial nerves enter and exit the brainstem.
  • Describe the basic structure of the spinal cord.
  • Identify the main arterial supply to the central nervous system.
  • Describe in detail the circle of Willis and its role in cerebral circulation.
  • Describe the regions of the brain supplied by the various cerebral arteries.
  • Briefly define a cerebrovascular accident.
  • Identify the key components of the meninges.
  • Describe the basic functions of the meninges.
  • Briefly describe some clinical disorders associated with the meninges.
  • Identify the key components of the ventricular system.
  • Describe the basic functions of the ventricular system.
  • Briefly describe some clinical disorders associated with the ventricles.
  • Outline the major motor and sensory pathways from cortex to periphery.
  • Identify the primary motor cortex and the primary somatosensory cortex.
  • Differentiate between ipsilateral control, contralateral control, and bilateral (fully crossed) control.
  • Differentiate between the pyramidal system and extrapyramidal motor systems.
  • Define upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron.
  • Differentiate the clinical deficits associated with upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron damage.
  • Describe how the examination of the facial muscles can help differentiate upper motor neuron impairments from lower motor neuron impairments.
  • Differentiate between aphasia, apraxia and dysarthria.
  • Identify Broca’s area and describe the kinds of communication deficits associated with damage to this region of the CNS.
  • Identify Wernicke’s area and describe the kinds of communication deficits associated with damage to this region of the CNS.
  • Identify the supplementary motor area and describe the kinds of communication deficits associated with damage to this region of the CNS.
  • Identify the primary motor cortex and describe the kinds of communication deficits associated with damage to this region of the CNS.
  • Describe the kinds of communication deficits associated with damage to the basal ganglia and cerebellum.
  • Be able to identify and label all structures discussed in class and in notes in a variety of different views. There are many images in your atlas that are not contained in the course slides. Use those images for review and study.