Brain Anatomy Every Chiropractic Student Should Know for the NBCE Exam

As a chiropractic student, a deep understanding of brain anatomy is essential for mastering the neurological aspects of patient care. The cerebrum, the largest part of the brain, plays a crucial role in controlling voluntary actions, processing sensory information, and facilitating complex cognitive functions. This guide will take you through the anatomy, function, and clinical significance of the cerebrum, providing you with the foundational knowledge you need to know for your NBCE chiropractic board exams, chiropractic school studies and practice.

What Is the Cerebrum?

The cerebrum is the most prominent part of the brain, making up about 85% of its total weight. It is divided into two hemispheres—left and right—connected by the corpus callosum, a thick band of nerve fibers that facilitates communication between them. Each hemisphere is further divided into four lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. The cerebrum’s surface is characterized by gyri (ridges) and sulci (grooves), which increase its surface area and allow for a greater number of neurons.

Structure and Functions of the Cerebral Lobes

1. Frontal Lobe
   • Location: The frontal lobe is located at the front of the brain, extending back to the central sulcus.
   • Functions:
     • Motor Control: The primary motor cortex, located in the precentral gyrus, controls voluntary muscle movements.
     • Cognitive Functions: The frontal lobe is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as reasoning, planning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
     • Speech Production: Broca’s area, typically located in the left frontal lobe, is crucial for speech production.
   • Clinical Significance: Damage to the frontal lobe can result in motor deficits, personality changes, impaired judgment, and speech difficulties.
2. Parietal Lobe
   • Location: The parietal lobe lies behind the frontal lobe, separated by the central sulcus, and extends to the occipital lobe.
   • Functions:
     • Sensory Processing: The primary somatosensory cortex, located in the postcentral gyrus, processes sensory information from the body, including touch, temperature, and pain.
     • Spatial Awareness: The parietal lobe integrates sensory input to help with spatial orientation and perception.
   • Clinical Significance: Lesions in the parietal lobe can lead to sensory deficits, neglect syndromes (especially in right parietal damage), and difficulties with spatial reasoning.
3. Temporal Lobe
   • Location: The temporal lobe is situated below the lateral sulcus, extending back toward the occipital lobe.
   • Functions:
     • Auditory Processing: The primary auditory cortex, located in the superior temporal gyrus, processes sound information.
     • Memory Formation: The hippocampus, located within the temporal lobe, is essential for forming new memories.
     • Language Comprehension: Wernicke’s area, typically found in the left temporal lobe, is involved in understanding spoken and written language.
   • Clinical Significance: Temporal lobe damage can result in hearing loss, memory impairment, language comprehension issues, and even seizures (as seen in temporal lobe epilepsy).
4. Occipital Lobe
   • Location: The occipital lobe is located at the back of the brain, behind the parietal and temporal lobes.
   • Functions:
     • Visual Processing: The primary visual cortex, located in the occipital lobe, is responsible for processing visual information from the eyes.
   • Clinical Significance: Damage to the occipital lobe can cause visual disturbances, such as loss of visual fields or visual agnosia (inability to recognize objects).

Other Important Structures of the Cerebrum

• Corpus Callosum
  • Function: The corpus callosum connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres, allowing for communication between them. It is crucial for integrating sensory, motor, and cognitive functions across the hemispheres.
  • Clinical Significance: Agenesis (absence) or damage to the corpus callosum can lead to split-brain syndrome, where the two hemispheres cannot communicate effectively, resulting in various cognitive and motor difficulties.
• Basal Ganglia
  • Function: The basal ganglia, a group of nuclei located deep within the cerebral hemispheres, are involved in the regulation of movement, as well as procedural learning and habit formation.
  • Clinical Significance: Disorders of the basal ganglia, such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease, lead to movement abnormalities, including tremors, rigidity, and involuntary movements.
• Limbic System
  • Function: The limbic system, which includes structures like the hippocampus and amygdala, is involved in emotion regulation, memory formation, and olfaction.
  • Clinical Significance: Dysfunction in the limbic system can contribute to emotional disorders, memory impairments, and psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety.

Function and Clinical Relevance

The cerebrum is the control center for many critical functions, including sensory perception, motor control, cognitive abilities, and emotional processing. Understanding the cerebrum’s anatomy and functions allows chiropractic students to better appreciate the brain's role in health and disease.

Common Clinical Conditions

1. Stroke
   • Overview: A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, leading to tissue damage. Depending on the affected area, a stroke can result in motor deficits, sensory loss, language impairments, and cognitive changes.
   • Symptoms: Sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, and severe headache.
2. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
   • Overview: TBI results from an external force causing damage to the brain. The effects depend on the area of the brain affected and the severity of the injury.
   • Symptoms: Cognitive impairments, memory loss, changes in behavior, motor deficits, and sensory disturbances.
3. Alzheimer’s Disease
   • Overview: A degenerative brain disorder that primarily affects the cerebrum, leading to progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and changes in personality and behavior.
   • Symptoms: Memory loss, confusion, disorientation, difficulty with language, and impaired judgment.
4. Epilepsy
   • Overview: A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which are sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can affect various cerebral functions depending on their origin.
   • Symptoms: Temporary confusion, staring spells, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of consciousness or awareness.

NBCE Board Exam Study Tips for Chiropractic Students

• Diagram Labeling: Practice labeling diagrams of the brain’s lobes and major structures to reinforce your understanding of their locations and functions.
• Case Studies: Review case studies from textbooks like Bates' Guide To Physical Examination and History Taking involving cerebral lesions or disorders to apply your knowledge in clinical scenarios.
• Digital & Physical Interactive Tools: Utilize online resources and brain atlases to explore the cerebrum in 3D like the Complete Anatomy app or a disarticulated brain model, allowing for a deeper understanding of its anatomy.
• Our Chiro AlignEd Learning NBCE board reviews have mnemonics, colorful drawings and charts to help you remember everything you need to know about the cerebrum, brain anatomy and more. Want to check out our review courses by going here!

The cerebrum is the powerhouse of the brain, governing everything from movement and sensory processing to higher-order thinking and emotional regulation. A solid grasp of cerebral anatomy is crucial for recognizing and understanding neurological conditions and remind you, as a chiropractic student, of WHY you adjust.

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