1.0 neuro - introduction Flashcards
What are the components of the CNS?
Brain and spinal cord
What are the components of the PNS?
Cranial nerves and spinal nerves
Define afferent signals/information.
Neuronal projections TO a neuron, group of neurons, or CNS
Define efferent signals/information.
Neuronal projections FROM a neuron, group of neurons, or CNS
What is the difference between the autonomic and somatic nervous systems?
Somatic nervous system regulates voluntary control of skeletal muscles; autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary control of smooth muscle and glands.
What are three functions of the nervous system?
- Sensory (afferent) function
- Integrative function
- Motor (efferent) function
What does CNS stand for?
Central Nervous System
What is a nucleus in the CNS?
A group of neurons within the CNS with similar function, connectivity, and neurotransmitters
What is a tract?
A bundle of axons traveling together within the CNS
What is a synapse?
A point of connection/communication between neurons
Fill in the blank: Afferent signals are __________.
Arriving information
Fill in the blank: Efferent signals are __________.
Exiting information
What is the role of sensory (afferent) neurons in the somatic nervous system?
Convey information from sensory receptors to the CNS
What is the role of somatic motor neurons (efferent)?
Convey information from the CNS to skeletal muscles, initiate actions
True or False: The autonomic nervous system is responsible for voluntary muscle control.
False
What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
- Sympathetic
- Parasympathetic
What does the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system do?
Regulates ‘Fight or Flight’ responses
What does the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system do?
Regulates ‘Rest and Digest’ responses
What is gray matter composed of?
Neurons and their proximal dendrites
What is white matter composed of?
Myelinated axons
What type of sensory information does the visceral sensory system convey?
Afferent sensory information from the internal environment
What are the five regions of the spinal cord?
- Cervical
- Thoracic
- Lumbar
- Sacral
- Coccygeal
What are the 3 components of the brain?
Forebrain
Brain stem
Cerebellum
What are the two regions of the forebrain?
Telenchephalon
Diencephalon
What are the three regions of the brain stem?
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla
What encases the brain?
What encases the spinal cord?
Brain: skull
Spinal cord: spinal column
Anatomical direction for top of the brain
Dorsal
Anatomical direction for bottom of the brain
Ventral
Anatomical direction for brain towards the nose
Rostral
Anatomical direction for the ponytail side of the brain
Caudal
Origin of the cranial nerves
Brain stem (exceptions for CN I and II)
Origin of the spinal nerves
Spinal cord
What does PNS stand for?
Peripheral nerves
Define nerve
A bundle of axons (plus associated connective tissue and blood vessels) located outside the brain and spinal cord
What is a ganglia?
A group of neurons outside the CNS with similar function, connectivity, and neurotransmitters
Somatic nervous system
Afferent and efferent systems that regulate motor innervation of skeletal muscle and relay sensory information from the external environment
Autonomic nervous system
Efferent systems that regulate motor innervation of smooth muscle and glands
Describe the integrative function of the nervous system
Interneurons within the brain and spinal cord play a role in analyzing and integrating sensory information (link the afferent to the efferent)
Which are within the CNS and which are outside the CNS?
nucleus, nerve, tract, ganglia
Within: nucleus (neurons), tract (axons)
Outside: ganglia (neurons), nerve (axons)
