Chapter 10: Nervous System Flashcards
What are the 2 divisions of the nervous system?
central and peripheral nervous system
nerve
macroscopic cord-like collection of fibers that carry electrical impulses
central nervous system includes?
brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system consists of
cranial nerves
spinal nerves
plexuses
peripheral nerves
cranial nerves carry impulses between
the brain
the head
and the neck
which nerve is the exception that carries impulses to the neck, chest, and abdomen?
the 10th nerve aka the vagus nerve
plexus
large network of nerves in the peripheral nervous system
other examples of plexuses
blood vessels aka vascular
lymphatic plexus
rectal plexus
vertebral plexus
cauda equina
bundle of spinal nerve below the spinal cord
sensory nerves
afferent
carry messages toward the brain
spinal cord from receptor
motor nerves
efferent nerves
carry messages from the brain to muscles and organs
receptors
organ that receives and transmits a stimulus to the sensory nerves
- for seeing, hearing, balance, smell, and touch
autonomic nervous system
carries impulses to glands, heart, blood vessels, and involuntary muscles
sympathetic nerves
stimulate the body in times of stress and crisis
- increase HR and dilate airways for more O2`
parasympathetic nerves
the counter to sympathetic
- slows down HR, lowers BP, stimulates intestinal contractions
neuron
nerve cell that is necessary for impulses to be carries throughout the nervous system
stimulus
begins the impulse
dendrites
branching fibers of the neuron
- receives the nervous impulse first
cell body
part of the nerve cell that contains the nucleus
cell nucleus
ganglion
ganglia
axon
microscopic fiber that is part of the neuron and carries nervous impulse along a nerve cell
myelin sheath
covering of white fatty tissue that surrounds and insulates the axon of the nerve cell
- speeds impulse conduction along axon
terminal end fibers
where impulses passes through the axon to leave to cell
synapse
space where the nervous impulse jumps from one neuron to another
neurotransmitter
chemical substance that brings the impulse to the synapse
examples of neurotransmitters
acetylcholine
norepinephrine
epinephrine aka (adrenaline)
dopamine
serotonin
endorphins
parenchyma
essential distinguishing tissue of an organ
- includes neurons and nerves
stroma
connective and supportive tissue of an organ
glial (neuroglial) cells
the supportive framework and wards off infection
4 types of supporting/ glial cells
- astrocytes
- microglial
- oligodendroglial
- ependymal
astrocytes cells
transport water and salts between capillaries and neurons
- they look like stars
microglial
they protect neurons in response to inflammation
- lots of dendrites
oligodendrocytes
form myelin sheath covering the axons in the CNS
ependymal cells
line membranes within the brain and spinal cord where CSF is produced and circulates
blood brain barrier
glial cells/ astrocytes regulate the passage of potentially harmful substances from blood into the nerves of the brain cell
cerebrum responsible for
thought, judgement, memory, association,
discrimination
cerebral cortex
outer region of the cerebrum
- contains sheets of nerve cells; grey matter of the brain
gyri
folds in the brain
sheet of nerve cells that produces ridge on the surface of the cerebral cortex
sulci
grooves
cerebral hemispheres
left and right sides of the brain
left brain
language
mathematical functioning
reasoning
analytical thinking
right brain
spatial relationships
art
music
emotions
intuition
brain’s 4 lobes
frontal
parietal
occipital
temporal
ventricles
space/canals that contain watery fluid that flows throughout the brain and around spinal cord
cerebrospinal fluid
protects the brain and spinal cord from shock by acting like a cushion
cerebrospinal fluid composition
lymphocytes, sugar, and proteins
- clear and colorless
lumbar puncture
spinal fluid can be withdrawn for diagnosis or relief of pressure on the brain
thalamus
decides what is important or not and relays sensory info to the cerebral cortex
- awareness and consciousness
hypothalamus
controls body temp, sleep, appetite, sexual desire, and pleasure
- releases hormones from the pituitary gland
cerebellum
coordinates voluntary movement and maintains balance and posture
midbrain
for seeing and hearing
- uppermost portion of the brainstem
connects cerebrum with lower portion of the brain
pons
the “bridge” that connects cerebullum and cerebrum to the rest of the brain
medulla oblongata
brainstem
connects the spinal cord with the rest of the brain
jobs of the medulla oblongata
- respiratory center- controls muscles of respiration in response to chemicals and stimuli
- cardiac center- slows HR when beating too rapidly
-vasomotor center- constricts or dilates muscles in the wall of blood vessels
spinal cord
column of nervous tissue extending from medulla oblongata to L2 vertebra
cauda equina
horse’s tail
bundle of nerve fibers
gray matter
inner region composed of cell bodies and dendrites
white matter
outer region made of nerve fiber tracts and myelin sheaths
meninges
3 layers of CT membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
dura mater
thick tough membranes of the outermost meninges
- contains channels that contain blood
subdural space
below dural membrane
arachnoid membrane
middle layer of the membranes
spider-like membrane loosely attached to other meninges by weblike fibers
subarachnoid space
space for CSF between fibers and 3rd membrane
pia mater
layer closest to the brain and spinal cord
- delicate CT with rich supply of blood vessels
acetylcholine
neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of the nerve cells
brainstem
posterior portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord
- includes: midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata
cerebrum
largest part of the brain
responsible for voluntary muscular activity
vision
speech
taste
hearing
thought
memory
cranial nerves
nerves carry messages from the brain to all
glial cell
neuroglial cell
supportive and connective nerve cell that does not carry nervous impulses
microglial cell
phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from CSN
midbrain
uppermost portion of the brainstem
sciatic nerve
nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot.
stimulus
agent of change in the internal and external environment that evokes a response
sulcus
depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex
- aka fissue
hydrocephalus
abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain
spina bifida
congenial defects in the L spine column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts
Alzheimers disease
brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration, personality change, and impairment of daily functioning
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem
epilepsy
chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity
Huntington disease
hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration
multiple sclerosis
destruction of myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue
myasthenia gravis
autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles
palsy
paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function)
cerebral palsy
partial paralysis and lack of muscle coordination caused by loss of oxygen or blood flow to cerebrum during pregnancy
Bell palsy
paralysis to one side of the face
Parkinsons disease
degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia
- occurs late in life
weakness in muscles
- slowness of movement
pallative
reliving the symptoms but not cured
Tourettes
involuntary spasmodic, twitching movements, uncontrollable vocal sounds, and inappropriate words
herpes zoster
shingles
viral infection affecting peripheral nerves
meningitis
inflammation of the meninges
human immunodeficiencyvirus encephalopathy
brain disease and dementia occurring in aids
brain tumor
abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges
cerebral concussion
type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head
cerebral contusion
bruising of brain tissue resulting from direct trauma to the head
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke
thrombotic
blood cot in the arteries
migraine
severe, recurring unilateral, vascular headache
absence seizure
form of seizure consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss or awareness of surroundings
aneurysm
enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and stroke
astrocytoma
malignant brain tumor of astrocytes
aura
peculiar symptom of sensation occurring before onset of attack of migraine or epileptic seizure
dementia
mental decline and deterioration
demyelination
destruction of myelin on axons of neurons
dopamine
CNS nuerotransmitter deficient in patient with Parkinson disease
embolus
clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel
gait
manner of walking
ictal even
pertaining to a sudden onset, as with the convulsions of epileptic seizure
occlusion
blockage
thymectomy
removal of the thymus
TIA
transient ischmic attack
- occurs in all 3 types of seizures: thrombolytic, embolic, hemorrhagic
tic
involuntary movement of a small group of muscles
- seen in Tourettes
tonic-clonic seizure
major convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movement
cerebrospinal fluid analysis
samples of CSF are examined
cerebral angiography
x-ray of arterial blood vessels in brain with contrast
computed tomography of the brain
multiple images of the brain and spinal cord
MRI
magnetic field and pulses of radiowave energy to create images of brain and spinal cord
positron emission tomography (PET) scan
radioactive glucose is injected and then detected in the brain to image the metabolic activity of cells
doppler US
sound waves detect blood flow in carotid and intracranial arteries
electroencephalography
recording of electrical activity of the brain
stereotactic radiosurgery
use of specialized instrument to locate and treat targets in the brain
