Question | Answer |
Acetylcholine | neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of some nerve cells. |
Arachnoid membrane | Middle layer of the three meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord. |
Astrocyte | a type of glial cell; transports water and salts from capillaries. |
Autonomic nervous system | nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs. |
Axon | microscopic fiber that carries the nervous impulse along a nerve cell. |
Blood-brain barrier | blood vessels that selectively let certain substances enter the brain tissue and keep other substances out. |
Brainstem | lower portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. |
Cauda equine | collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord. |
Cerebellum | part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance. |
Cerebral cortex | outer region of the cerebrum. |
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) | Fluid that circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord. |
Cerebrum | largest part of the brain; responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought and memory. |
Dendrite | microscpic branching fiber of a nerve cell that is the first part to receive the nervous impulse. |
Dura mater | thick, outermost later of the meninges surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord. |
Ependymal cell | cell that lines the fluid-filled sacs of the brain and spinal cord. |
Ganglion | a collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system. |
Glial dells | astrocytes, microglial cells, and oligodendroglia. Supportive and connective cells that do not carry impulses. |
Gyrus | sheets of nerve cells that produce elevation in the surface of the cerebral cortex. |
Hypothalamus | portion of the brain beneath the thalamus, controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland. |
Medulla oblongata | part of the brain that controls breathing, heartbeat, and size of blood vessels. |
Meninges | three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. |
Microglial cell | one type of glial cell, phagocyte. |
Myelin sheath | fatty tissue that surrounds, protects, and insulates the axon of a nerve cell. |
Neurotransmitter | chemical messenger, released at the end of a nerve cell. |
Oligodendroglial cell | glial cell that forms the myelin sheath covering axons. |
Parasympathetic nerves | involuntary, autonomic nerves that help regulate body functions like heart rate and respiration. |
Parenchyma | essential, distinguishing cells of an organ. |
Pia mater | thin, delicate inner membrane of the meninges. |
Plexus | large, interlacing network of nerves. |
Pons | part of the brainstem that is a bridge connecting various parts of the brain. |
Stroma | connective and supportive tissue of an organ. |
Sulcus | depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex. |
Sympathetic nerves | autonomic nerves that influence body functions involuntarily in times of stress. |
Thalamus | main relay center of the brain. |
Ventricles of the brain | reservoirs in the interior of the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid. |
Cerebello | cerebellum |
Cerebro | cerebrum |
Duro | dura mater |
Encephal | brain |
Glio | glial cells |
Lepto | thin, slender |
Meningo | membranes, meninges |
Meningio | membranes, meninges |
Myo | muscle |
Myelo | spinal cord |
Neuro | nerve |
Ponto | pons |
Radiculo | nerve root |
Thalamo | thalamus |
Theco | sheath |
Vago | vagus nerve |
Algeso | excessive sensitivity to pain |
Algia | pain |
Causo | burning |
Comato | deep sleep |
Esthesio | feeling, nervous sensation |
Kineso | movement |
Kinesis | movement |
Kinetic | movement |
Lepsy | seizure |
Lexo | word, phrase |
Paresis | slight paralysis |
Phasia | speech |
Plegia | paralysis |
Praxia | action |
Sthenia | strength |
Syncope | to cut off, cut short |
Taxo | order, coordination |