BIO - TERMS - NERV Flashcards
adrenergic
(ad-rĕ-ner′jik) Relating to nerve cells that release norepinephrine neurotransmitter.
auditory–vestibular nerve
Cranial nerve VIII, consisting of axons projecting from the spiral ganglion to the cochlear nuclei.
autonomic ganglia
Peripheral ganglia of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
basal metabolism
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.
brain
The part of the central nervous system contained in the skull, consisting of the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, and retinas.
cauda equina
(kaw′dă ē-kwı̄′nă) Spinal nerve roots within the vertebral canal inferior to the tapered inferior end of the spinal cord.
central fatigue
Fatigue that results from problems with the central nervous system resulting from the effects of hypoglycemia on the brain and nerves during prolonged exercise.
co-transmitter
One of two or more different neurotransmitters that are released from a single presynaptic nerve terminal.
coronal plane
An anatomical plane of section that divides the nervous system into anterior and posterior parts.
cranial nerves
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.
dermatome
(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.
dorsal root
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.
dorsal root ganglion
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.
endoneurium
(en-dō-nū′rē-ŭm) Areolar connective tissue that surrounds each axon of a peripheral nerve.
enteric nervous system (ENS)
One of the main divisions of the autonomic nervous system; its primary role is to support and regulate the function of the gastrointestinal system.
epineurium
(ep-i-nū′rē-ŭm) Outermost supporting connective tissue layer of peripheral nerves.
essential fat
Body fat associated with bone marrow, the central nervous system, internal organs, and, in women, the mammary glands and pelvic region; considered indispensable.
firing rule
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.
ganglion cell
A cell in the retina that receives input from bipolar cells and sends an axon into the optic nerve.
horizontal plane
An anatomical plane of section that divides the nervous system into dorsal and ventral parts.
intermuscular coordination
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.
midline
An invisible line that bisects the nervous system into right and left halves.
midsagittal plane
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.
mixed nerve
Nerve composed of both sensory and motor neurons.
motor (efferent) nerves
Composed of neurons that transmit motor output from the central nervous system.
motor system
All skeletal muscles and the parts of the central nervous system that control them.
multiple sclerosis
A neurological autoimmune disease characterized by focal demyelination in the central nervous system, lymphocytic infiltration in the brain, and a chronic progressive course.
neuropharmacology
The study of the effects of drugs on nervous system tissue.
oligodendroglial cell
A glial cell that provides myelin in the central nervous system.
optic disk
The location on the retina where optic nerve axons leave the eye.
perineurium
(per-i-nū′rē-ŭm) Fibrous sheath enveloping each of the fascicles within nerves.
postganglionic neuron
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.
preganglionic neuron
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.
sensory (afferent) nerve
Nerves sending information to the central nervous system.
somatic PNS
The part of the peripheral nervous system that innervates the skin, joints, and skeletal muscles.
spinal nerve
A nerve attached to the spinal cord that innervates the body.
spiral ganglion
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.
sympathetic chain
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.
sympathetic nervous system
The part of the automatic nervous system that affects, among other things, the cardiovascular system. This system releases norepinephrine from its postganglionic nerve endings.
terminal arbor
Branches at the end of an axon terminating in the same region of the nervous system.
trigeminal nerve
Cranial nerve V; attaches to the pons and carries primarily sensory axons from the head, mouth, and dura mater and motor axons of mastication.
vagus nerve
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.
ventral root
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.
verbal dyspraxia
An inability to produce the coordinated muscular movements needed for speech in the absence of damage to nerves or muscles.
nerve signal
Propagation of an action potential along a neuron.
