Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System Flashcards
What is the difference between a nucleus and a ganglion?
A collection of nerve cell bodies in the CNS is known as a nucleus; while a collection of nerve cell bodies in the PNS is known as a ganglion
What are neurones?
Nerve cells which receive and conduct impulses
What are the 3 main parts of a neurone?
Body, dendrites, axon
Which is longer, a dendrite or an axon?
Axon
Dendrites travel in which direction with regards to the neurone cell body?
Towards
Dendrites are effectively extensions of the neurone cell body, what is their function?
To increase surface area to allow the neurone to connect with other neurones
Axons travel in which direction with regards to the neurone cell body?
Away
What is the role of the axon?
To communicate with other neurones or effectors (muscles/glands)
What would be the main difference in the myelin sheath surrounding an axon in the PNS vs the CNS?
In the CNS, the myelin sheath will be composed of oligodendrocytes; in the PNS, it will be composed of Schwann cells
What are the two main different types of neurone?
Multipolar and unipolar
Out of multipolar and unipolar, which is the most common type of neurone?
Multipolar
How many dendrites must a neurone have to be classed as multipolar?
Two or more
Are motor neurones (either of skeletal muscle or the ANS) multipolar or unipolar?
Multipolar
Usually, where is the cell body of a multipolar neurone found?
In the CNS (with the axon extending into the PNS)
Usually the cell body of a multipolar neurone is found in the CNS. What is the exception to this?
In the ANS: the cell body of the presynaptic neurone is located in the CNS, but the cell body of the postsynaptic neurone is located within autonomic ganglia in the PNS
Are sensory neurones multipolar or unipolar?
Unipolar
Most unipolar neurones are located where?
In the dorsal root ganglion
Where is the cell body of a unipolar neurone found?
In the PNS
In a motor (efferent) neurone, where does the impulse move towards?
The body wall, body cavity or an organ
In a sensory (afferent) neurone, where does the impulse move towards?
The brain
What are nerves?
A collection of axons surrounded by connective tissue and blood vessels
What is the CNS equivalent of a nerve?
A tract
What are the two main subtypes of nerve?
Single modality and mixed modality
Which is more common - single modality or mixed modality nerves?
Mixed (single modality nerves are quite rare)