Anatomy of Nervous System Flashcards
Central Nervous System
Brain and Spinal Cord
Peripheral Nervous System
Cauda Equina and Peripheral Nerve
Meninges
Three layers of protection for the brain and spinal cord - Pia, Arachnoid, Dura (PAD)
Subarachnoid space
Where the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) resides
Choroid plexus
Forms the CSF
Sylvian fissure
Separates temoral lobe from frontal lobe
Sulcus
Groove in the cortex (deeper groove is called fissure)
Gyrus
Ridge on the cortex
Gray matter
Responsible for processing for cerebrum (synaptic processes) - nerve cell bodies, dense interneuronal networks, cortex and subcortical nuclei
White matter
Responsible for transmitting the information - myelinated nerve axons, “cabling” of the nervous system
Frontal lobe
Motor, Personality
Parietal lobe
Sensory
Temporal lobe
Language, hearing
Occipital lobe
Vision
Homunculus
Topographic organization of the sensory and motor cortex - large proportions of devoted to hand and face function
Primary motor cortex
Pre-central gyrus; Motor - has cell bodies traveling to spinal cord and muscles
Primary sensory cortex
Post-central gyrus; Sensory - Perceiving area for stimuli
Central sulcus
Separates the parietal lobe from the frontal lobe, and the primary motor cortex from the primary somatosensory cortex
Thalamus
Connected all parts of the cortex. Sometimes thought of as a “sensory relay” station, important for regulating states of arousal and made up of many nuclei
Hypothalamus
“Master Gland” - controls the pituitary gland; links nervous activity to the endocrine system; responsible for hunger, temperature, metabolism, sexual behavior
Cerebellum
Serves to coordinate motor activity; separated from cerebrum by the tetorial membrane
Left Middle Cerebral Artery
Supplies lateral frontal, temporal and parietal lobes
Anterior Cerebral Artery
Supplies medial frontal and parietal lobes
Posterior Cerebral Artery
Supplies interior temporal and occipital lobes
Watershed Areas
Where cortical perfusions meet, most sensitive to ischemia
Conus medullaris
The tapered end of the spinal cord
Cauda equina
The nerve roots exiting the lumbosacral segments of the conus
Filum terminale
Strip of connective tissue that connects the tip of the spinal cord to the coccyx
Dorsal Nerve Root
Incoming sensory fibers - dorsal root ganglion houses sensory cell bodies
Ventral Nerve Root
Outgoing motor fibers
Lateral Corticospinal (TCMEP)
Transcranial (voluntary) motor function
Fasciculus Gracillis
Medial portion of dorsal column - Proprioception (position), vibration, discriminate touch; responsible for lower extremities
Fasciculus Cuneatus
Lateral portion of dorsal column - Proprioception (position), vibration, discriminate touch; responsible for upper extremities, 1/2 of thoracic
Anterior Spinal Artery
Supplies Anterior 2/3 of cord
Posterior Spinal Arteries
2 arteries combined supplies posterior 1/3 of cord
Artery of Adamkiewicz
Major supplier to the spinal cord, located variably at a lower thoracic level - T10 plus or minus a few levels
Brachial plexus
Peripheral nerves that supply the upper extremity, division and rejoining of nerves
Musculocutaneous
UE, C5-C6, Biceps
Axillary
UE, C5-C6, Deltoid
Radial
UE, C5-T1, Triceps, wrist extensors
Median
UE, C5-T1, Many forearm, most thenar muscles (Abductor Pollicis Brevis)
Ulnar
UE, C8-T1, Many forearm, some thenar, all hypothenar (Abductor Digiti Minimi)
Median primary stimulus site at wrist
Anode at the midline of the crease. Cathode 2-3 cm proximal between the tendons of the flexor carpi radials and palmaris longus
Median primary stimulus site at the elbow
Anode at the medial third of the crease (antecubital fossa), cathode 3 cm proximal just medial to the biceps tendon.
Ulnar primary stimulus site at wrist
Anode at the medial aspect of the anterior wrist crease just proximal to the pisiform. Cathode 2-3 cm along the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris
Ulnar primary stimulus site at the elbow
Anode just medial to the tip of the ulna at the distal end of the ulnar groove. Cathode 3 cm proximal, posterior to the medial epicondyle of the humerus
Femoral nerve
L2-L4, Quadriceps, Vastus Lateralis
Tibial nerve (Sciatic Nerve)
L4-S3, Gastrocnemius, Abductor Hallucis
Tibial nerve primary stimulus site at the ankle
Cathode about halfway between the lateral tip of the medial malleolus and the Achille’s tendon, Anode about 3 cm distal, below the medial malleoulus. Stimulate behind head of fibula, travels from sciatic nerve, innervates all muscles of bottom of feet
Peroneal nerve
L4-S2, Tibialis Anterior
