Question | Answer |
Functions of the nervous system | Coordinates and controls body activity, detects and processes internal/external info, formulates appropriate responses |
Major structures of the nervous system | Brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, sensory organs |
PNS consists of what | Cranial and spinal nerves |
Cell body | AKA: Soma.
Maintains life of the neuron |
Dendrites | Receive impulses and conduct them toward the cell body |
Axon | Single process. Extends away from the cell body |
Synaptic terminals | AKA: Terminal end fibers. Leads the impulse away from the axon and toward the synapse |
Synapse | The junction where neural impulses cause a chemical release, called a neurotransmitter |
Astrocytes | Attach neurons to their blood supply. Help form the blood-brain barrier, in the CNS |
Microglia | Phagocytic cells that help fight infection in the CNS |
Oligodendrocytes | Form the myelin sheath in the CNS |
Schwann cells | Forms the myelin in the PNS and has phagocytic capabilities |
White matter | Has nerve fibers that are covered by myelin |
Gray matter | Does not have myelin covered nerve fibers. |
Nerve | One or more bundles of impulse carrying fibers located in the PNS |
Tract | Group of nerve fibers located in the CNS |
Ganglion | Mass of neuron cell bodies. Outside of the CNS |
Plexus | Network of intersecting nerves/vessels |
Innervation | Stimulation of a body part through the action of nerves |
Nociceptive | Pain receptors |
Proprioceptive | Perception of movement |
Meninges | Connective tissue that encase the brain and spinal cord |
Cerebrospinal fluid | Clear fluid that nourishes, cools and cushions the CNS |
Cerebrum | Largest part of brain, receives and processes stimuli, stores information |
Cerebral cortex | Made up of gray matter. responsible for thinking, perceiving, producing and understanding language. |
Cerebellum | Coordinates muscle activity for smooth muscle movement |
Brain stem | Connects the cerebral hemispheres with the spinal cord |
Inter brain | Regulation of thirst and body temperature |
Mid brain | Responsible for visual and auditory reflexes, posture and muscle control |
Pons | Bridge at base of the brain which allows nerves to cross over so that one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body |
Medulla Oblongata | Controls basic life functions |
Spinal cord | Pathway for impulses going to and from the brain |
Peripheral Nervous System | Cranial nerves, autonomic and somatic nervous, somatic spinal nerves and ganglia |
Brachial plexus | Nerves arise from the brachial plexus, to supply each forelimb |
Lumbosacral plexus | Nerves arise from the lumbosacral plexus, to supply each hind limb |
Foramen magnum | Opening that the spinal cord passes through |
Dorsal root | Carries afferent or sensory impulses from the periphery to the spinal cord |
Ventral root | Carries efferent or motor impulses from the spinal cord to muscle fibers or glands |
Autonomic Nervous System | Part of the PNS. Innervates smooth muscle. Consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic |
Somatic Nervous System | Voluntary |
CT scan | Computed tomography |
CAT scan | Computed Axial tomography |
Obtunded | Depressed |
Neuroanastomosis | Connecting nerves together |
Vagus nerve | Controls the heart, lungs, larynx, pharynx, esophagus and cranial portion of the intestinal tract. Damage causes difficulty in swallowing |
Medical term for swelling | Intumescence |
Blood brain barrier | |