Anatomy 1 - CNS Flashcards
What is the central nervous system?
brain and spinal cord, integrates and coordinates incoming/outgoing neural signals and carry out higher mental functions
What is the peripheral nervous system?
comprised of everything that isn’t CNS
What are the components of the CNS?
- brain and spinal cord
- layers: pia, arachnoid, dura mater
- cells: oligodendrocytes, astroctes, ependymal cells, microglial cells
What are the components of PNS?
- satellite and schwann cells
- neurons outside the nervous system
What is the somatic nervous system?
- sensory and motor info to all parts of the body
- sensory = touch, pain, position, sensation
- motor = skeletal muscles for voluntary and reflective movements
What is the autonomic nervous system?
- involuntary, autonomic reflexes and visceral function and pain
- parasympathetic = body conservation
- sympathetic = fight or flight
What are some functional differences between the autonomic and somatic nervous systems?
somatic is generally voluntary and autonomic is generally involuntary
What is grey and white matter in regards to neurons?
grey: cell bodies and unmyelinated axons
white: myelinated axons
Where does cauda equina commence?
L1/L2
What is the brachial plexus formed by?
C5, C6, C7, C8, T1
What is the lumbosacral plexus formed by?
T12-S4
What are the two main structures of the CNS?
brain and spinal cord
What bony structures protect the CNS?
spinal cord, cranium
What are the meninges?
pi, dura, arachnoid
-found in spinal cord and brain
Where is the epidural space?
space between dura mater and vertebral wall,
What does the somatic nervous system supply?
mainly skeletal muscles
What does the autonomic nervous system supply?
involuntary muscles and glands
What is the difference between afferent and efferent fibers?
- afferent: sensory/dorsal, towards CNS
- efferent: motor/ventral, away from CNS
How many pairs of spinal nerves do humans have?
31
What is a ganglion?
structure containing nerve cell bodies
Why are spinal nerves mixed nerves?
the dorsal and ventral roots join together after the intervertebral foramen
What is a reflex arc?
protective, sensory receptors –> sensory/afferent neurons –> interneurons –> motor neurons –> effector –> response
What does the posterior ramus of a spinal nerve generarlly supply?
skin on posterior of body, back muscles
What does the anterior ramus of a spinal nerve supply?
structures on the anterior and lateral aspects of the body and contribute to plexuses
