2 - Functional Neuroanatomy: The Nervous System And Behavior Flashcards
Neuron doctrine
The hypothesis that the brain is composed of separate cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically, and functionally
Neuron or nerve cell
The basic unit of the nervous system, each composed of a cell body, receptive extension(s) (dendrites), and a transmitting extension (axon)
Synapse
The tiny gap between neurons where information is passed from one to the other
Glial cells
Also called glia or neuroglia. Nonneuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain
Mitochondrion
A cellular organelle that provides metabolic energy for the cell’s processes
Cell nucleus
The spherical central structure of a cell that contains the chromosomes
Ribosomes
Structures in the cell body where genetic information is translated to produce proteins
Dendrite
One of the extensions of the cell body that are the receptive surfaces of the neuron
Input zone
The part of the neuron that receives information, from other neurons or from specialized sensory structures. Usually corresponds to the cell’s dendrites
Cell body or soma
The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus
Integration zone
The part of the neuron that initiates nerve electrical activity. Usually corresponds to the neuron’s axon hillock.
Axon
A single extension from the nerve cell that carries nerve impulses from the cell body to other neurons
Conduction zone
The part of the neuron over which the nerve’s electrical signal may be actively propagated. Usually corresponds to the cell’s axon
Axon terminal
Also called synaptic bouton. The end of an axon or axon collateral, which forms a synapse on a neuron or other target cell
Output zone
The part of a neuron, usually corresponding to the axon terminals, at which the cell sends information to another cell
Golgi stain
A histological stain that fills a small proportion of neurons with a dark, silver-based precipitate
Nissl stain
A histological stain that outlines all cell bodies because the dyes are attracted to RNA, which encircles the nucleus
Autoradiography
A histological technique that shows the distribution of radioactive chemicals in tissues
Immunocytochemistry (ICC)
A method for detecting a particular protein in tissues in which an antibody recognizes and binds to the protein and then chemical methods are used to leave a visible reaction product around each antibody
In situ hybridization
A method for detecting particular RNA transcripts in tissue sections by providing a nucleotide probe that is complementary to, and will therefore hybridize with, the transcript of interest
Immediate early genes (IEGs)
A class of genes that show rapid but transient increases in expression in cells that have become activated
c-fos
An immediate early gene commonly used to identify activated neurons
Horseradish peroxidase (HRP)
An enzyme found in horseradish and other plants that is used to determine the cells of origin of a particular set of axons
Multipolar neuron
A nerve cell that has many dendrites and a single axon
Bipolar neuron
A nerve cell that has a single dendrite at one end and a single axon at the other end
Unipolar neuron
Also called monopolar neuron. A nerve cell with a single branch that leaves the cell body and then extends in two directions; one end is the receptive pole, the other end the output zone
Motoneuron
Also called motor neuron. A nerve cell that transmits motor messages, stimulating a muscle or gland
Sensory neuron
A neuron that is directly affected by changes in the environment, such as light, odor, or touch
Interneuron
A neuron that is neither a sensory neuron nor a motoneuron; it receives input from and sends output to other neurons
Astrocyte
A star-shaped glial cell with numerous processes (extensions) that run in all directions
Microglial cells
Also called microglia. Extremely small glial cells that remove cellular debris from injured or dead cells
Myelin
The fatty insulation around an axon, formed by glial cells, that improves the speed of conduction of nerve impulses
Myelination
The process of myelin formation
Node of Ranvier
A gap between successive segments of the myelin sheath where the axon membrane is exposed
Multiple sclerosis
Literally “many scars”; a disorder characterized by widespread degeneration of myelin
Oligodendrocyte
A type of glial cell that forms myelin in the central nervous system
Schwann cell
The glial cell that forms myelin in the peripheral nervous system
Edema
The swelling of tissue, especially in the brain, in response to injury
Arborization
The elaborate branching of the dendrites of some neurons
Presynaptic
Referring to the region of the synapse that releases neurotransmitter
Postsynaptic
Referring to the region of a synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitter
Presynaptic membrane
The specialized membrane of the axon terminal of the neuron that transmits information by releasing neurotransmitter
Postsynaptic membrane
The specialized membrane on the surface of the cell that receives information by responding to the neurotransmitter from a presynaptic neuron
Synaptic cleft
The space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic elements
Synaptic vesicle
A small, spherical structure that contains molecules of neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitter
Also called synaptic transmitter, chemical transmitter, or simply transmitter. The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication between neurons
Receptor
Also called receptor molecule. A protein that captures and reacts to molecules of a neurotransmitter or hormone
Neural plasticity
Also called neuroplasticity. The ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience or the environment
Axon hillock
A cone-shaped area from which the axon originates out of the cell body. Functionally, the integration zone of the neuron
Axon collateral
A branch of an axon from a single neuron
Innervate
To provide neural input
Axonal transport
The transportation of materials from the neuronal cell body to distant regions in the dendrites and axons, and from the axon terminals back to the cell body
Gross neuroanatomy
Anatomical features of the nervous system that are apparent to the naked eye
Cauda equina
The caudal-most spinal nerves, which extend beyond the spinal cord proper to exit the spinal column
Peripheral nervous system
The portion of the nervous system that includes all the nerves and neurons outside the brain and spinal cord
Central nervous system
The portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and the spinal cord
Nerve
A collection of axons bundled together outside the central nervous system
Cranial nerve
A nerve that is connected directly to the brain
Spinal nerve
Also called somatic nerve. A nerve that emerges from the spinal cord
Autonomic nervous system
The part of the peripheral nervous system that supplies neural connections to glands and to smooth muscles of internal organs
Dorsal root
The branch of a spinal nerve, entering the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, that carries sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the spinal cord
Ventral root
The branch of a spinal nerve, arising from the ventral horn of the spinal cord, that carries motor messages from the spinal cord to the peripheral nervous system
Cervical
Referring to the topmost 8 segments of the spinal cord, in the neck region
Thoracic
Referring to the 12 spinal segments below the cervical (neck) portion of the spinal cord, corresponding to the chest
Lumbar
Referring to the 5 spinal segments that make up the upper part of the lower back
Sacral
Referring to the 5 spinal segments that make up the lower part of the lower back
Coccygeal
Referring to the lowest spinal vertebra (aka the tailbone)
Autonomic ganglia
Collections of nerve cell bodies, belonging to the autonomic division of the peripheral nervous system, that are found in various locations and innervate the major organs
Preganglionic
Literally, “before the ganglion.” Referring to neurons in the autonomic nervous system that run from the central nervous system to the autonomic ganglia