Anatomy & Physiology: Nervous System (The Brain) Flashcards
Nervous System
This system coordinates and controls several activities in the body, governs people’s consciousness, their personalities, how they learn, and their ability to memorize.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
This complex system of nerve tissue is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. It is where information processing and control occurs.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
This system is comprised of the nerves associated with the CNS. It connects all nerves of the body to the CNS.
Afferent Nerve Fibers
Transmit impulses from organs and tissues of the body to the CNS.
Efferent Nerve Fibers
Transmit impulses from the CNS to the organs and tissues of the body.
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
Primarily controls voluntary activities such as walking and riding a bicycle.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Responsible for activities that are non-voluntary and under unconscious control.
Sympathetic Nervous System
This system focuses on emergency situations by preparing the body for fight or flight.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
This system controls involuntarily processes unrelated to emergencies. This system deals with “rest or digest” activities.
The Ventricles of the Brain
A network of cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid and consists of 4 cavities.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Ventricles of the brain are filled with this and surround the CNS. Covers the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebellum
This is found beneath the cerebrum and behind the brainstem. It helps coordinate body movements, posture, and balance.
Brainstem
This is found between the thalamus and the spinal cord. It is the lowest part of the brain that connects the brain with the spinal cord. Unconscious functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure are controlled by the brainstem.
Cerebrum
This part of the brain is the largest and part of the forebrain. It controls higher-order functions such as interpreting touch, speech and language, reasoning, emotions, and fine motor control.
Cerebral Cortex
Surrounds the entire cerebrum. It is divided into a left and right hemisphere.
Gyri
Ridges of the cerebral cortex
Sulci
Grooves of the Cerebral Cortex
Fissures
Very large grooves of the vertebral cortex.
Neurons
Nerve cells that make up the nervous system.
Sensory Neurons
Afferent nerve cells that send information toward the CNS. This information is what is sensed, using the five senses, from the external environment.
Motor Neurons
Efferent nerve cells that carry impulses away from the CNS to the effectors, which are typically tissues and muscles of the body.
Interneurons
Nerve cells that act as a bridge between motor and sensory neurons in the CNS. These neurons help form neural circuits, which helps neurons communicate with each other.
White Matter
Found in the spinal cord and surrounds the grey matter. Made up of Myelinated and unmyelinated axons connecting neurons from different parts of the brain.
Grey Matter
The cerebral cortex, a type of neural tissue that contains three types of neurons.
Limbic System
Controls emotions and memory and part of the forebrain.
Hypothalamus
Found between the thalamus, this structure plays a role in regulating the autonomic nervous system. It is primarily concerned with homeostasis and regulates various activities such as hunger, anger, and the response to pain.
Amygdala
Recognized as the aggression center, areas of this region produces feelings such as anger, violence, fear, and anxiety.
Thalamus
Different sensory inputs come through the nerves and end here, which directs this information to various parts of the cerebral cortex. It is the major center for receiving input to the brain from the periphery and the brain stem. It is the center for acquisition of knowledge, awareness, emotion, and memory.
Hippocampus
Helps convert short-term memory to long-term memory.
Cell Body
This is the main part of the nucleus of the nerve cell.
Dendrites
These are appendages attached to the cell body that receives signals from other neurons.
Axon
This is the long structure attached to the cell body. It conducts and transmits information to other cells.
Mylein Sheath
Functions like a blanket that provides a layer of insulation around the axon of a neuron, increasing the speed of electrical signal transmission.
Neural Impulses
Electric signals transmitted by neurons.