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Anatomy and Physiology for Mortuary Science > (c) Fundamentals of the Nervous System & Nervous Tissue (Q2,P6) > Flashcards

(c) Fundamentals of the Nervous System & Nervous Tissue (Q2,P6) Flashcards

1
Q

Nervous System Functions

A

Master control and communication system
1) Gathers information – sensory input
2) Processes and interprets sensory input
3) Dictates a response - motor output

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2
Q

Basic Divisions of the Nervous System

A

Central Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System

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3
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

Integrating and command center
2 Divisions: Brain, Spinal Cord

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4
Q

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A

Consists of nerves extending from brain and spinal cord
Cranial nerves – 12 pairs
Spinal nerves – 31 pairs
- Peripheral nerves link all regions of the body to the CNS; responsible for getting info to cns and putting out info to the body

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5
Q

Sensory (afferent) signals

A
  • signals that come from outside stimuli and tell your brain what they are sensing, such as temperature
  • Picked up by sensor receptors
  • signals directed TOWARD the CNS
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6
Q

Motor (efferent) signals

A

innervate muscles and glands
Signals travel AWAY from the CNS

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7
Q

Main Cell Types of Nervous Tissue

A

1) Supporting cells (neuroglial cells) – nonexcitable; Surround and wrap neurons
2) Neurons – transmit electrical signals (excitable); Body has billions of neurons

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8
Q

Special Characteristics of the Neuron

A

1) Longevity – can live and function for a lifetime; usually can’t be restored
2) Do not divide – fetal neurons lose their ability to undergo mitosis; neural stem cells are an exception
3) High metabolic rate – require abundant oxygen and glucose

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9
Q

Three Main Parts of a Neuron

A

1) Cell Body
2) Dendrites
3) Axons

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10
Q

Cell Body of a Neuron

A

Contains usual organelles plus other structures

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11
Q

Dendrites

A
  • Extensively branching from the cell body
  • Function as receptive sites (carry electric signals to the cell body)
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12
Q

Axons

A
  • Neuron has only one
  • portion of a nerve cell (neuron) that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body.
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13
Q

Ganglia

A

Clusters of cell bodies

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14
Q

Synapses

A
  • Site at which neurons communicate
  • Signals pass across synapse in one direction
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15
Q

Nerves

A
  • cordlike organs in the PNS
  • Consists of numerous axons wrapped in connective tissue
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16
Q

Myelin Sheaths

A
  • Axons is surrounded by myelin sheaths
  • Surround thicker axons
  • Form an insulating layer; Prevent leakage of electrical current to ensure it goes in the proper direction
  • Increase the speed of impulse conduction
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17
Q

Types of Nerve Coverings

A

1) Endoneurium: layer of delicate connective tissue surrounding the axon
2) Nerve Fascicles: groups of axons bound into bundles
3) Perineurium: connective tissue wrapping surrounding a nerve fascicle
4) Epineurium: whole nerve is surrounded by tough fibrous sheath

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18
Q

Directional Terms Unique to the CNS

A

1) Rostral: toward the nose
2) Caudal: toward the tail

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19
Q

4 Regions of the Brain

A
  • Cerebral hemispheres
  • 3 parts of Diencephalon
  • 3 parts of Brain stem
  • Cerebellum
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20
Q

3 parts of Diencephalon

A

thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus

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21
Q

3 parts of the Brain stem

A

midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata

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22
Q

What are the Ventricles of the Brain?

A

Expansions of the brain’s central cavity
Filled with cerebrospinal fluid produced by vessels called the CHOROID PLEXUSES
Ventricles are Continuous with each other
Ventricles are Continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord

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23
Q

4 Ventricles of the Brain

A

1)Lateral ventricles
2) Third ventricle
3) Cerebral aqueduct
4) Fourth ventricle

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24
Q

Lateral ventricles

A

located in cerebral hemispheres, anterior in the brain

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25
Third ventricle
- lies in diencephalon - Connected with lateral ventricles by interventricular foramen – also called the “Foramen of Monro”
26
Cerebral aqueduct/“Aqueduct of Sylvius”
connects 3rd and 4th ventricles
27
4th Ventricle
– lies in hindbrain - Connects to the central canal of the spinal cord and subarachnoid space - LATERAL APERTURE – foramen of Luschke - MEDIAN APERTURE– foramen of Magendie
28
Fissures of the Cerebral Hemispheres
Fissures: deep grooves – separate major regions of the brain 1) Transverse fissure – separates cerebrum and cerebellum 2) Longitudinal fissure – separates cerebral hemispheres
29
Grooves and Ridges of the Cerebral Hemispheres
Sulci – grooves on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres; increases surface area of cerebrum Gyri – twisted ridges between sulci
30
Sulci of the Cerebral Hemispheres
Deeper sulci divide cerebrum into lobes Lobes are named for the skull bones overlying them 1) Central sulcus: Separates frontal and parietal lobes 2) Parieto-occipital sulcus: Separates the occipital from the parietal lobe 3) Lateral sulcus: Separates temporal lobe from parietal and frontal lobes There are 2
31
Insula
deep within the lateral sulcus (one of the lobes of the brain)
32
Basic Structure of the Cerebral Hemispheres (to remember)
* 5 lobes in each hemisphere ** Fissures separate major brain region ** Sulci separate parts of each hemisphere
33
Primary Tissue Layers (Matter) of the Cerebral Hemispheres
1) Cerebral cortex (gray matter – external layer) 2) Cerebral white matter (deep to the cortex) 3) Deep gray matter of the cerebrum (basal ganglia; found deep within the cerebral white matter)
34
Cerebral Cortex
- Home of our conscious mind - Enables us to: Be aware of ourselves and our sensations; Initiate and control voluntary movements; Communicate, remember, and understand - Composed of gray matter - Folds in cortex – triples its size to increase surface area - Approximately 40% of brain’s mass - 3 Functional Areas: Motor areas, Sensory areas, Association areas
35
Brodmann areas
52 structurally distinct areas; divide up various functions of the cerebral cortex
36
Types of Tracts of Cerebral White Matter
1) Commissures 2) Association Fibers 3) Projection Fibers
37
Commissures
composed of commissural fibers (not the same as neurons); cross hempospheric connections - Allows communication between cerebral hemispheres (right with the left) - Corpus callosum – the largest commissure
38
Association fibers
Connect different parts of the same hemisphere
39
Projection fibers
run vertically between the cerebral hemispheres and the brain stem and spinal cord
40
Deep Gray Matter of the Cerebrum
Consists of: Basal ganglia – involved in MOTOR CONTRL Basal forebrain nuclei – associated with MEMORY; usually the last to develop (that’s why we don’t have memory up to a certain point)
41
The Diencephalon
- Forms the center core of the forebrain - Surrounded by the cerebral hemispheres - Composed of three paired structures: Thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus (front to back) - Primarily composed of GRAY MATTER
42
The Diencephalon – The Thalamus
Is the “gateway” to the cerebral cortex Nuclei organize and amplify or tone down signals - Makes up 80% of the diencephalon - Contains approximately a dozen major nuclei - Afferent impulses converge on the thalamus; all info from perifial system goes through the thalamus; discriminates against important and unimportant symbols
43
The Diencephalon – The Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland projects inferiorly Contains approximately a dozen nuclei MAIN VISCERAL CONTROL CENTER of the body Controls MANY involuntary functions (these are not all) 1) Regulation of body temperature 2) Regulation of hunger and thirst sensations 3) Control of the autonomic nervous system (heartrate, breathing, etc) 4) Regulation of sleep-wake cycles
44
The Diencephalon – The Epithalamus
- Forms part of the “roof” of the third ventricle - Consists of a tiny group of nuclei - Includes the pineal gland (pineal body) The pineal gland... Secretes the hormone melatonin Under influence of the hypothalamus
45
Functions of the Pineal Gland
Secretes the hormone MELATONIN Under influence of the hypothalamus
46
The Brain Stem
- Includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata Several general functions - Produces automatic behaviors necessary for survival - Passageway for all fiber tracts running between the cerebrum and spinal cord - Heavily involved with the innervation of the face and head;10 of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves attach to it
47
The Cerebellum
Located dorsal to the pons and medulla Smoothes and coordinates body movements Helps maintain equilibrium Maintains posture (sitting or standing)
48
Protection of the Brain
The brain is protected from injury by: The skull Meninges Cerebrospinal fluid Blood-brain barrier
49
Protection of the Brain – Meninges
- Cover and protect the CNS - Enclose and protect the vessels that supply the CNS - Contain the cerebrospinal fluid - Three Layers: Dura mater,Arachnoid mater,Pia mater
50
The Dura Mater
- Strongest of the meninges - Composed of two layers: 1)Periosteal layer 2) Meningeal layer - Two layers are fused except to enclose the dural sinuses
51
The Arachnoid Mater
- a type of Meninges - Located beneath the dura mater - Subdural space; Potential space between dura and arachnoid mater - Subarachnoid space Filled with CSF; Contains the blood vessels that supply the brain
52
The Pia Mater
- a type of Meninges - Delicate connective tissue - Clings tightly to the surface of the brain; Follows all convolutions of the cortex
53
Protection of the Brain – Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Provides a liquid cushion for the brain and spinal cord The brain “floats” in CSF Formed in CHOROID PLEXUSES in the brain ventricles
54
Protection of the Brain – Blood-Brain Barrier
- Prevents most blood-borne toxins from entering the brain; Impermeable capillaries - Not an absolute barrier: oxygen pass through; Allows alcohol, nicotine, and anesthetics
55
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
- Part of the Peripheral Nervous System - Regulates visceral functions:Heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, urination ANS has two divisions 1) Parasympathetic – “Resting and digesting” 2) Sympathetic – “Fight, flight, and fright response” Activates adrenal glands
56
Spinal Nerves
- 31 pairs – contain thousands of nerve fibers - All Connect to the spinal cord - Named for point of issue from the spinal cord (1 pair per vertebra) 8 pairs of cervical nerves (C1-C8) 12 pairs of thoracic nerves (T1-T12) 5 pairs of lumbar nerves (L1-L5) 5 pairs of sacral nerves (S1-S5) 1 pair of coccygeal nerves (Co1)
57
Conus medullaris
the inferior end of the spinal cord
58
Filum terminale
long filament of connective tissue (keeps spinal cord connected) Attaches to the coccyx inferiorly
59
Cervical and lumbar enlargements
Where nerves for upper and lower limbs arise (spinal cord)
60
Cauda equina
collection of nerve roots (spinal cord)
61
Denticulate ligaments
anchor spinal cord to vertebrae
62
spinal dural sheath
- only one layer - an extension of the dura mater that surrounds the spinal nerves of the spinal cord
63
The Spinal Cord
Runs through the vertebral canal of each vertebrae Extends from the foramen magnum to the level of the vertebra L1 or L2 Protected by vertebra bone, meninges, and CSF Dura mater of the spinal cord
64
choroid plexus
a network of blood vessels in each ventricle of the brain. It is derived from the pia mater and produces the cerebrospinal fluid
65
What is a plexus?
branching network of intersecting nerves
66
Dura Mater, Arachnoid Mater, Pia Mater
Three layers of membranes known as meninges protect the brain and spinal cord

Anatomy and Physiology for Mortuary Science (31 decks)

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