Chapter 1: The Nervous System Flashcards
_______________ is the master controlling and communicating system of the body.
The nervous system
The Nervous System has three overlapping functions:
Sensory Input
Integration
Motor Output
The nervous system processes and interprets the sensory input and makes decisions about what should be done at each moment. This process is called ___________ .
Integration
The nervous system uses millions of sensory receptors to monitor changes occurring both inside and outside the body. These changes are called ________ and the gathered information is called ___________.
Stimuli
Sensory input
The nervous system causes a response by activating effector organs (muscles and glands). This response is called:
Motor output.
The Nervous System consists of two principal divisions.
The Central Nervous System (CNS)
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Consists of the brain and spinal cord which occupies the dorsal body cavity. Known as the integrating and command center of the Nervous System.
The Central Nervous System (CNS)
The part of the Nervous System outside the CNS and consists mainly of the nerves that extend from the brain and spinal cord.
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
What is the function of the Central Nervous System (CNS)?
It interprets incoming sensory information and dictates responses based on past experience, reflexes and current conditions.
___________ carry impulses to and from the spinal cord and cranial nerves carry impulses to and from the brain. These peripheral nerve serve as communication lines that link all parts to the CNS.
Spinal nerves
The Peripheral Nervous System has two subdivisions:
The Sensory (afferent) division
The Motor (efferent) division
Keeps the CNS constantly informed of events going on inside the body. It consists of nerve fibres that transmit impulses to the CNS from sensory receptors, located throughout the body.
The Sensory (afferent) division
Two parts of the sensory (afferent) division:
Somatic Afferents
Visceral Afferents
Sensory fibres that convey impulses from the skin, skeletal muscles and joints.
Somatic Afferents
Sensory fibres that convey impulses from the visceral organs.
Visceral Afferents
Consists of nerve fibres that transmit impulses from the CNS to effector organs. These impulses activate muscles to contract and glands to secrete (these fibres bring about a motor response).
The Motor (efferent) division
Two parts of the Motor (efferent) division :
Somatic Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
Made up of somatic motor nerve fibres that conduct impulses from the CNS to skeletal muscles.
Somatic Nervous System
Made up of visceral motor nerve fibres that conduct impulses from the CNS to smooth muscles, cardiac muscles and glandular epithelial tissue.
Autonomic Nervous System
The Autonomic Nervous System itself has two divisions called:
Sympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic Nervous System
True or False:
Parasympathetic Nervous System is also known as “ fight and flight” system.
False:
Sympathetic Nervous System (fight and flight) Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest and digest)
There are no intervening synapses; nerve conduction is from the spinal cord or brainstem, directly to somatic effectors.
Somatic Nervous System
Its activity is evident when we are excited or find ourselves in an emergency or threatening situations.
Sympathetic Division (Thoracolumbar)
Chiefly concerned with keeping our body energy as low as possible, even as it directs vital activities such as digestion and elimination. It is most active in non-stressful situations.
Parasympathetic Division (Craniosacral division)