CH. 15: Nervous Terms

Question 1

brain

Answer 1

contained within the cranium

Question 2

cerebrum

Answer 2

largest portion of the brain, divided into left and right hemispheres. The cerebrum controls the skeletal muscles, interprets general senses (such as temperature, pain, and touch), and contains centers for sight and hearing. Intellect, memory, and emotional reactions also take place in the cerebrum.

Question 3

gray matter

Answer 3

outer portion of the cerebrum, contains neuron cell bodies that collect and process information. Gray matter forms the inner portion of the spinal cord.

Question 4

white matter

Answer 4

inner portion of the cerebrum, contains axons, long cords that extend from neurons; conveys information to different parts of the brain. White matter forms the outer portion of the spinal cord.

Question 5

ventricles

Answer 5

cavities (spaces) within the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The cerebrospinal fluid flows through the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord.

Question 6

cerebellum

Answer 6

located under the posterior portion of the cerebrum; assists in the coordination of skeletal muscles to maintain balance (also called hindbrain).

Question 7

brainstem

Answer 7

stemlike portion of the brain that connects with the spinal cord; contains centers that control respiration and heart rate. Three structures comprise the brainstem: pons, medulla oblongata, and midbrain.

Question 8

pons

Answer 8

literally means bridge. It connects the cerebrum with the cerebellum and brainstem.

Question 9

medulla oblongata

Answer 9

located between the pons and spinal cord. It contains centers that control respiration, heart rate, and the muscles in the blood vessel walls, which assist in determining blood pressure.

Question 10

midbrain

Answer 10

most superior portion of the brainstem

Question 11

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Answer 11

clear, colorless fluid contained in the ventricles that flows through the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord. It cushions the brain and spinal cord from shock, transports nutrients, and clears metabolic waste.

Question 12

spinal cord

Answer 12

passes through the vertebral canal extending from the medulla oblongata to the level of the second lumbar vertebra. The spinal cord conducts nerve impulses to and from the brain and initiates reflex action to sensory information without input from the brain.

Question 13

meninges

Answer 13

three layers of membrane that cover the brain and spinal cord

Question 14

dura mater

Answer 14

tough outer layer of the meninges

Question 15

arachnoid

Answer 15

delicate middle layer of the meninges. The arachnoid membrane is loosely attached to the pia mater by weblike fibers, which allow for the subarachnoid space.

Question 16

pia mater

Answer 16

thin inner layer of the meninges

Question 17

nerve

Answer 17

cordlike structure made up of fibers that carries impulses from one part of the body to another. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Question 18

ganglion (pl. ganglia)

Answer 18

group of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system

Question 19

glia

Answer 19

specialized cells located throughout the nervous system that support and nourish nervous tissue. Some cells assist in the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid and others assist with phagocytosis. They do not conduct impulses (also called neuroglia)

Question 20

neuron

Answer 20

nerve cell that conducts impulses to carry out the function of the nervous system. Destroyed neurons in the central nervous system cannot be replaced.