CH10Vocab Flashcards
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells
Afferent Nerve
Carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord (sensory nerve).
Arachnoid Membrane
Middle layer of the three membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Astrocyte
Type of glial cell (neurolgial) that transports water and salts from capillaries in the nervous system
Autonomic Nervous System
Nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands and internal organs
Axon
Microscopic fiber that is part of a neuron and carries nervous impulse along a nerve cell.
Blood brain barrier
Protective separation between the blood and brain cells. This makes it difficult for substances (such as anti cancer drugs) to penetrate capillary walls and enter the brain.
Brainstem
Posterior portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord; includes the midbrain pons, and medulla oblongata
Cauda equine
Collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord
Cell body
Part of a nerve cell that contains the nucleus
Central nervous system
Brain and spinal cord
Cerebellum
Posteriors part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance
Cerebral cortex
Outer region of the cerebrum, containing sheets of nerve cells; gray matter of the brain
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Circulates through the brain and spinal cord
Cerebrum
Largest part of the brain; responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought, and memory
Cranial nerves
Nerves carry messages to and from the brain to all parts of head and neck and also (in the case of the vagus nerve) to other parts of the body. There are 12 pairs.
Dendrite
Microscopic branching fiber of a nerve cell that is the first part to receive the nervous impulse.
Dura mater
Thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord. Latin for “hard mother”
Efferent nerve
Carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord; motor nerve.
Ependymal cell
Glial cell that lines membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form cerebrospinal fluid
Ganglion (ganglia PL)
Collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system.
Glial cell (neuroglial cell)
Supportive and connective nerve cell that does not carry nervous impulses. Can reproduce themselves
Astrocytes-transport H2O and Na+
Microglial cells - phagocytes protecting from inflammation
Ependymal cells - line brain and spinal cord membrane where CSF generates
Oligodendrocytes - few dendrites forms the myelin
Gyrus. (Gyri. PL)
Sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded ridge on the surface of the cerebral cortex; convolution.
Hypothalamus
Portion of the brain beneath the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and sec regions from the pituitary gland.
Medulla oblongata
Part of the brain just above the spinal cord; controls breathing, heartbeat, and the size of blood vessels; nerve fibers cross over here.
Meninges
Three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Microglial cells
Phagocytic glial cells that remove waste products from the central nervous system
Midbrain
Uppermost portion of the brainstem
Motor nerve
Carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs; efferent nerve
Myelin sheath
Covering of white carry tissue that surrounds and insulates the axon of a nerve cell. Myelin speeds impulse conduction along axons.
Nerve
Macroscopic cord-like collection of fibers (axons) that carry electrical impulses
Neuron
Nerve cell that is necessary for impulses to be carried throughout the nervous system; parenchyma of the nervous system
Neurotransmitter
Chemical messenger released at the end of a nerve cell. It stimulates or inhibits another cell, which can be a nerve, muscle,or gland cell.
Acetylcholine
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Serotonin
Oligodendroglial cells
Glial cells that form the myelin sheath covering axons
Parasympathetic nerves
Involuntary autonomic nerves that regulate normal body function s such as heart rate, breathing, and muscles of the GI tract
Parenchyma
Essential, distinguishing tissue of any organ or system. The parenchyma of the nervous system includes the neurons and nerves that carry nervous impulses.
Peripheral nervous system
Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; cranial, spinal, and autonomic nerves
Pia mater
Thin delicate inner membrane of the meninges
Plexus
Large, interlacing network of nerves. Examples are lumbosacral, cervical, and brachial plexuses
Pons
Part of the brain anterior to the cerebellum and between the medulla and the rest of the midbrain..
Bridge connecting various parts of the brain
Receptor
Organ that receives and transmits a stimulus to sensory nerves. The skin, ears, eyes, and taste buds
Sciatic nerve
Nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot.
Sensory nerve
Carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord from a receptor; afferent nerve
Spinal nerve
Pairs of nerves, arising one on each side of the spinal column. Transmit messages to and from the spinal cord
Stimulus
Agent of change in the internal or external environment that evokes a response
Light
Sound
Touch
Pressure
Pain
Stroma
Connective and supporting tissue of an organ
Sulcus
Depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex; fissure
Sympathetic nerves
Autonomic nerves that influence bodily functions involuntarily in times of stress
Synapse
Space through which a nervous impulse travels between a nerve cells or between nerve and muscle or glandular cell
Thalamus
Main relay center of the brain; conducts impulses between the spinal cord and cerebrum;
Vagus nerve
10th cranial nerve. Reaches the larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, aorta, esophagus, and stomach
Ventricles of the brain
Canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid.
