The brain is a vital symmetrical organ that controls all body functions and is responsible for human behavior. Its weight in infants is no more than 300 g, with age it can reach 1.3-2 kg. A highly organized organ consists of billions of nerve cells interconnected by neural connections. The network of nerve fibers has an intricate structure and is one of the most complex formations in the human body.
Anatomy of the human brain
The brain is divided into two large hemispheres, the surface of which is covered with many convolutions. Behind is the cerebellum. Below is placed the trunk, passing into the spinal cord. The brainstem and spinal cord use the nervous system to give commands to the muscles and glands. And in the opposite direction, they receive signals from external and internal receptors.
The top of the brain covers the cranium, protecting it from external influences. Blood entering through the carotid arteries supplies the brain with oxygen. If for some reason there is a malfunction of the main organ, then this leads tothat a person goes into a vegetative (vegetative) state.
Structure of the brain
The pia mater of the brain consists of loose connective tissue with bundles of collagen fibers forming a complex dense network. It is closely fused with the surface of the brain and penetrates into all the cracks and furrows, includes large arterial veins that deliver oxygen to the organ.
The arachnoid mater contains cerebrospinal fluid, which performs a shock-absorbing function and is responsible for regulating the extracellular environment between nerve cells. A transparent thin web layer fills the space between the soft and hard shells.
The hard shell of the brain is a strong thick plate, consisting of paired sheets and having a rather dense structure. It adjoins the inner smooth surface to the brain, and its upper part fuses with the skull. In places where the plate with bones is attached, sinuses are formed - venous sinuses without valves. The dura mater plays an important role in protecting the medulla from injury.
Divisions of the brain
The large hemispheres are divided into four zones. The picture below shows the location of the lobes of the cerebral cortex:
- The frontal part is marked in blue.
- Purple - parietal region.
- Red - occipital area.
- Yellow - temporal lobe.
| Department | Where is located | Basic Structures | For whatreplies |
| Front (end) | Frontal lobes of the head | Corpus callosum, gray and white matter; basal nuclei - striatum (caudate nucleus, pale ball, shell), xiphoid body, fence | Behavior control, action planning, movement coordination, skill acquisition |
| Intermediate | Above the midbrain, below the corpus callosum | Thalamus, metolamus, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, epithalamus | Hunger, thirst, pain, pleasure, thermoregulation, sleep, wakefulness |
| Medium | Upper Brain Stem | Queterogemina, brain stems | Regulation of muscle tone, ability to walk and stand |
| Oblong | Continuation of the spinal cord | Cranial nerve nuclei | Metabolism; protective reflexes: sneezing, lacrimation, vomiting, coughing; lung ventilation, respiration, digestion |
| Rear | Adjacent to oblong section | Bridge, cerebellum | Vestibular apparatus, perception of heat and cold, movement coordination |
The table of brain divisions shows the main functions of the higher organ. The slightest malfunction of the nervous system leads to serious complications and adversely affects the entire human body. Consider the most common pathologies associated with impaired brain activity.
Basal ganglia damage
Basal nuclei (ganglia) are separate accumulations of gray matter in the subcortical partbig hemispheres. One of the main formations is the caudate nucleus (nucleus caudatus). It is separated from the thalamus by a white strip - the inner capsule. The ganglion consists of the head of the caudate nucleus, body and tail.
Basic disorders with malfunctioning nuclei:
- discoordination;
- involuntary trembling of limbs;
- inability to learn new skills;
- inability to control behavior.
Let's consider the clinical manifestations of lesions of the caudate nucleus.
Hyperkinesis
The disease is caused by uncontrolled spontaneous movements of a group of muscles. The disease occurs against the background of damage to the nerve cells of the basal nuclei, in particular, the caudate body and the internal capsule. Triggers:
- infantile cerebral palsy;
- intoxication;
- stress;
- encephalitis;
- congenital pathologies;
- head injury;
- diseases of the endocrine system.
Common symptoms:
- involuntary muscle contraction;
- tachycardia;
- frequent blinking;
- squinting eyes;
- facial muscle spasms;
- tongue sticking out;
- pain in the lower abdomen.
Complications of hyperkinesis lead to limitation of joint mobility. The disease is incurable, but with the help of medications and physical therapy, symptoms can be reduced and the person's condition can be alleviated.
Hypokinesia
Caudate nucleus lesionof the brain is a common cause of the development of an ailment associated with a decrease in human motor function.
Symptoms and effects:
- hypotension;
- Intestinal malabsorption;
- deterioration of the functioning of the senses;
- reduced lung ventilation;
- atrophy of the heart muscle;
- stagnation of blood in the capillaries;
- bradycardia;
- degenerative changes in posture.
Falling blood pressure leads to a decrease not only in physical activity, but also in mental activity. Against the background of hypokinesia, efficiency is lost, and the person completely drops out of society.
Parkinson's disease
When the disease occurs, degenerative changes occur in neurons, which leads to loss of control over movements. Cells stop producing dopamine, which is responsible for the transmission of impulses between the caudate nucleus and the substantia nigra. The disease is considered incurable and chronic.
Initial symptoms:
- handwriting change;
- slow movements;
- limb tremor;
- depression;
- muscle tension;
- slurred speech;
- violation of gait, posture;
- frozen expression;
- forgetfulness.
If one of the symptoms appears, you should consult a neurologist.
Huntington's Chorea
Chorea is a hereditary pathology of the nervous system. diseasemanifested by mental disorders, hyperkinesis and dementia. Violation of the motor function is due to jerky movements that are beyond the control of a person. When the disease occurs, damage to the basal ganglia, including the caudate nucleus. Although scientists have sufficient knowledge of the anatomy of the human brain, chorea is still poorly understood.
Symptoms:
- restlessness;
- sharp hand waves;
- decrease in muscle tone;
- convulsions;
- memory disorders;
- smacks, sighs;
- involuntary facial expressions;
- temper;
- dancing gait.
Complications of chorea:
- inability to self-service;
- pneumonia;
- psychosis;
- heart failure;
- crazy ideas;
- suicidal tendencies;
- panic attacks;
- dementia.
Huntington's chorea is incurable, drug therapy is aimed at alleviating the condition and prolonging the patient's working period. Antipsychotics are used to prevent complications. The sooner the diagnosis is made, the less the disease will manifest itself. Therefore, at the first signs of pathology, you need to consult a specialist.
Tourette Syndrome
Tourette's disease is a psychogenic disorder of the nervous system. The disease is characterized by uncontrollable motor and vocal tics.
Reasons:
- damagebrain structures in oxygen deficiency or during childbirth;
- mother's alcoholism during gestation;
- pronounced toxicosis in the first trimester of pregnancy, which negatively affects the unborn child.
Symptoms
Simple tics are short twitches of one muscle group. These include:
- grimacing;
- frequent blinking;
- involuntary eye movements;
- nose sniffing;
- head twitching.
Complex tics include a variety of actions performed by several muscle groups:
- expressed gestures;
- hyperkinesis;
- funky walk;
- jumping;
- copying the movement of people;
- body rotation;
- sniffing surrounding objects.
Voice ticks:
- cough;
- shouts;
- barking;
- repeating phrases;
- grunt.
Before an attack, the patient experiences tension and itching in the body, after an attack, this condition disappears. Drug therapy does not completely cure Tourette's syndrome, but it can reduce symptoms and reduce the frequency of tics.
Far's disease
The syndrome is characterized by the accumulation of calcium in the vessels of the brain, which are responsible for providing oxygen to the internal capsule and caudate nucleus. A rare disease manifests itself in adolescence and middle age.
Provoking factors:
- carbon monoxide poisoning;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- Down syndrome;
- radiotherapy;
- microcephaly;
- tuberous sclerosis;
- calcium metabolism disorder.
Symptoms:
- trembling limbs;
- convulsions;
- facial asymmetry;
- episyndrome;
- slurred speech.
Fara syndrome is not fully understood and has no specific treatment. The progression of the disease leads to mental retardation, deterioration of motor functions, disability and death.
Nuclear jaundice
The form of jaundice in newborns is associated with a high concentration of bilirubin in the blood and basal ganglia. When the disease occurs, partial damage to the brain.
Reasons:
- prematurity;
- anemia;
- underdevelopment of body systems;
- multiple pregnancy;
- hepatitis B vaccination;
- underweight;
- oxygen starvation;
- hereditary liver disease;
- Rhesus conflict of parents.
Symptoms:
- yellowing of the skin;
- drowsy;
- temperature increase;
- decrease in muscle tone;
- sluggishness;
- not breastfeeding;
- rare breath;
- enlarged liver and spleen;
- tilting the head;
- convulsions;
- muscle tension;
- vomit.
Treatment is carried out by exposure to the blue-green spectrum of rays and blood transfusion. To replenishenergy resources put droppers with glucose. During the illness of the child, a neuropathologist observes. The baby is discharged from the hospital only when the blood counts are normal and all symptoms disappear.
The defeat of the caudate nucleus of the brain leads to severe incurable diseases. To prevent and relieve symptoms, the patient is prescribed lifelong drug therapy.
