Deepen your understanding of the nervous system's role in human thought, emotion, and movement. The course covers key structural and functional principles, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their healthcare background.

Explore the essentials of neuroanatomy as we delve into cognitive and behavioral neuropsychology. This engaging course is designed for both beginners and those with some background in neuroscience, offering flexible learning through structured sections and individual videos.

Explore the fascinating world of neuroanatomy, which delves into how our nervous system shapes human identity, thoughts, and behaviors. The nervous system is structured into the central and peripheral systems, with distinct roles in conscious and unconscious functions.

In this lesson, we’ll explore the different types of neurons—afferent, efferent, and interneurons—and their roles in the nervous system. By examining the structure and function of neurons, including key components such as the cell body, dendrites, axon, myelin, and axon terminals, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how electrical signals are transmitted.

In this lesson, we’ll explore essential anatomical direction terms and their importance in understanding brain structure and function. The lesson will also cover the specific functions of the brain’s lobes, emphasizing their roles in sensory processing and executive functions. This foundational knowledge will prepare you for an upcoming section on sensory processing.

We’ll explore how the brain processes sensory information, with the occipital lobe handling vision, the temporal lobe processing sound, and the parietal lobe interpreting touch. We’ll break down bottom-up vs. top-down processing, the thalamus’s role as a relay, and pathways for vision, hearing, and touch. Plus, we’ll dive into different touch types and how sensory input is organized—leading into movement processing next!

We’ll explore the brain’s role in movement control, focusing on the frontal lobe’s primary motor cortex (M1) for executing voluntary actions and the premotor cortex for planning and coordination.We’ll also discover how the brain maps intentions and affordances, enhancing spatial awareness and movement perception.

In this lesson, we'll explore cognitive processing and its role in memory, perception, and problem-solving, focusing on the parietal and frontal lobes. We’ll look at how Alzheimer’s disease affects cognition and how the frontal cortex regulates emotions, planning, and impulse control (shoutout to Phineas Gage!). We’ll also dive into language processing (Wernicke’s and Broca’s areas), spatial awareness, and attention, breaking down why brain function goes beyond the left-right hemisphere myth.

We’ll dive into the limbic system and its role in emotion, motivation, and memory, focusing on key players like the amygdala (fear and aggression), hippocampus (memory formation), and nucleus accumbens (reward and motivation). We’ll also explore how the insula and cingulate cortex shape emotional awareness and regulation. Plus, we’ll see how dysfunction in this system links to mental health disorders like PTSD and anxiety, underscoring its impact on both emotions and physiology.

We’ll explore the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and how it regulates the body without conscious effort. We’ll break down the sympathetic system (fight-or-flight) and the parasympathetic system (rest-and-digest), plus new insights on nerve classifications and the enteric nervous system’s role in gut health and emotions. Understanding the ANS is key to trauma-informed care, as it deeply affects emotional processing and well-being.

We’ll explore the brain’s ventricles and their role in cushioning and nourishing the brain with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We’ll cover CSF circulation, cerebral blood supply, and the Circle of Willis, which helps maintain blood flow. Plus, we’ll discuss the meninges’ protective role, the risks of meningitis, and why head injuries need urgent care. The lesson wraps up with a transition to the peripheral nervous system.

We’ll explore the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) and how it connects to the Central Nervous System (CNS) through spinal and cranial nerves. Learn about spinal nerve function, dermatomes, and nerve plexuses, plus the 12 cranial nerves and their roles in sensation and movement. We’ll also dive into skin receptors, proprioception, and reflexes, highlighting how proprioceptive loss impacts coordination and movement.

Congratulations on completing the neuroanatomy essentials class! Explore recommended classic neuroscience textbooks for further reading and consider enrolling in advanced classes such as Neuroscience of Pain, Trauma Informed Care, and Neuroscience of Vision.

Complete the Knowledge Check to receive your certificate of completion and become eligible to receive (3) CE Credit Hours.