BIO - TERMS - NERV

Question 1

adrenergic

Answer 1

(ad-rĕ-ner′jik) Relating to nerve cells that release norepinephrine neurotransmitter.

Question 2

auditory–vestibular nerve

Answer 2

Cranial nerve VIII, consisting of axons projecting from the spiral ganglion to the cochlear nuclei.

Question 3

autonomic ganglia

Answer 3

Peripheral ganglia of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.

Question 4

basal metabolism

Answer 4

The energy expended during nonactive time (rest) at a comfortable environmental temperature and at least 12 hours after the consumption of a meal. beriberi A disease affecting the nervous system that is caused by a thiamin deficiency.

Question 5

brain

Answer 5

The part of the central nervous system contained in the skull, consisting of the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, and retinas.

Question 6

cauda equina

Answer 6

(kaw′dă ē-kwı̄′nă) Spinal nerve roots within the vertebral canal inferior to the tapered inferior end of the spinal cord.

Question 7

central fatigue

Answer 7

Fatigue that results from problems with the central nervous system resulting from the effects of hypoglycemia on the brain and nerves during prolonged exercise.

Question 8

co-transmitter

Answer 8

One of two or more different neurotransmitters that are released from a single presynaptic nerve terminal.

Question 9

coronal plane

Answer 9

An anatomical plane of section that divides the nervous system into anterior and posterior parts.

Question 10

cranial nerves

Answer 10

Twelve pairs of nerves that arise from each side of the brain stem, numbered from anterior to posterior. Cranial nerve I is actually the olfactory tract, and cranial nerve II is the optic nerve; both are parts of the central nervous system. Cranial nerves III–XII, which are in the peripheral nervous system, perform many diverse functions.

Question 11

dermatome

Answer 11

(der′mă-tōm) Specific segment of skin supplied by a spinal nerve. Also, during embryonic development, the cells that form the connective tissue of the skin.

Question 12

dorsal root

Answer 12

A bundle of sensory neuron axons that emerges from a spinal nerve and attaches to the dorsal side of the spinal cord. Dorsal root axons bring information into the spinal cord. See also ventral root.

Question 13

dorsal root ganglion

Answer 13

A collection of cell bodies of the sensory neurons that are part of the somatic PNS. There is one dorsal root ganglion for each spinal nerve.

Question 14

endoneurium

Answer 14

(en-dō-nū′rē-ŭm) Areolar connective tissue that surrounds each axon of a peripheral nerve.

Question 15

enteric nervous system (ENS)

Answer 15

One of the main divisions of the autonomic nervous system; its primary role is to support and regulate the function of the gastrointestinal system.

Question 16

epineurium

Answer 16

(ep-i-nū′rē-ŭm) Outermost supporting connective tissue layer of peripheral nerves.

Question 17

essential fat

Answer 17

Body fat associated with bone marrow, the central nervous system, internal organs, and, in women, the mammary glands and pelvic region; considered indispensable.

Question 18

firing rule

Answer 18

Important principle governing synapse reinforcement and elimination during development of the nervous system: when two (or more) neurons synapsing on the same target cell fire at the same time, they reinforce their connections to that cell; when they fire at different times, they compete, so that all but one of them tend to be eliminated.

Question 19

ganglion cell

Answer 19

A cell in the retina that receives input from bipolar cells and sends an axon into the optic nerve.

Question 20

horizontal plane

Answer 20

An anatomical plane of section that divides the nervous system into dorsal and ventral parts.

Question 21

intermuscular coordination

Answer 21

The strategy of the nervous system in the organization of a kinetic chain, in terms of timing of activation and deactivation of agonist and antagonist muscles.

Question 22

midline

Answer 22

An invisible line that bisects the nervous system into right and left halves.

Question 23

midsagittal plane

Answer 23

An anatomical plane of section through the midline that is perpendicular to the ground. A section in the midsagittal plane divides the nervous system into right and left halves.

Question 24

mixed nerve

Answer 24

Nerve composed of both sensory and motor neurons.

Question 25

motor (efferent) nerves

Answer 25

Composed of neurons that transmit motor output from the central nervous system.

Question 26

motor system

Answer 26

All skeletal muscles and the parts of the central nervous system that control them.

Question 27

multiple sclerosis

Answer 27

A neurological autoimmune disease characterized by focal demyelination in the central nervous system, lymphocytic infiltration in the brain, and a chronic progressive course.

Question 28

neuropharmacology

Answer 28

The study of the effects of drugs on nervous system tissue.

Question 29

oligodendroglial cell

Answer 29

A glial cell that provides myelin in the central nervous system.

Question 30

optic disk

Answer 30

The location on the retina where optic nerve axons leave the eye.

Question 31

perineurium

Answer 31

(per-i-nū′rē-ŭm) Fibrous sheath enveloping each of the fascicles within nerves.

Question 32

postganglionic neuron

Answer 32

A peripheral neuron of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system; its cell body lies in autonomic ganglia, and its axons terminate on peripheral organs and tissues.

Question 33

preganglionic neuron

Answer 33

A neuron of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system; its cell body lies in the CNS (spinal cord or brain stem), and its axons extend peripherally to synapse on postganglionic neurons in the autonomic ganglia.

Question 34

sensory (afferent) nerve

Answer 34

Nerves sending information to the central nervous system.

Question 35

somatic PNS

Answer 35

The part of the peripheral nervous system that innervates the skin, joints, and skeletal muscles.

Question 36

spinal nerve

Answer 36

A nerve attached to the spinal cord that innervates the body.

Question 37

spiral ganglion

Answer 37

A collection of neurons in the modiolus of the cochlea that receives input from hair cells and sends output to the cochlear nuclei in the medulla via the auditory nerve.

Question 38

sympathetic chain

Answer 38

A series of interconnected sympathetic ganglia of the autonomic nervous system, adjacent to the vertebral column, that receive input from preganglionic sympathetic fibers and project postganglionic fibers to target organs and tissues.

Question 39

sympathetic nervous system

Answer 39

The part of the automatic nervous system that affects, among other things, the cardiovascular system. This system releases norepinephrine from its postganglionic nerve endings.

Question 40

terminal arbor

Answer 40

Branches at the end of an axon terminating in the same region of the nervous system.

Question 41

trigeminal nerve

Answer 41

Cranial nerve V; attaches to the pons and carries primarily sensory axons from the head, mouth, and dura mater and motor axons of mastication.

Question 42

vagus nerve

Answer 42

Cranial nerve X, arising from the medulla and innervating the viscera of the thoracic and abdominal cavities; a major source of preganglionic parasympathetic visceromotor axons.

Question 43

ventral root

Answer 43

A bundle of motor neuron axons that emerges from the ventral spinal cord and joins sensory fibers to form a spinal nerve. Ventral root axons carry information away from the spinal cord. See also dorsal root.

Question 44

verbal dyspraxia

Answer 44

An inability to produce the coordinated muscular movements needed for speech in the absence of damage to nerves or muscles.

Question 45

nerve signal

Answer 45

Propagation of an action potential along a neuron.