Chapter 11 Flashcards
Afferent nerve
Carrying toward a center, such as afferent nerves carrying information toward the central nervous system
Ascending tract
A tract that carries sensory information up the spinal cord toward the brain
Cranial nerves
The 12 pairs of nerves that emerge from the brain; with the exception of the vagus nerve (CN X), the cranial nerves innervate the head and shoulders
Decussation
A crossing over as in nerve fibers crossing from one side of the brain or the spinal cord to the other side
Dermatome
Area of the body supplied by a spinal nerve
Descending tract
A nerve tract that carries information away from the brain and down the spinal cord toward the periphery
Efferent nerve
A motor neuron; brings information from the CNS to the periphery
Gray matter
Part of the central nervous system that is composed of cell bodies and unmyelinated fibers
Mixed nerves
Nerve that contains both sensory and motor fibers
Motor nerves
Collection of motor neurons that carries information away from the central nervous system
Nerve
Bundle of nerve fibers and blood vessels
Peripheral nervous system
Nerves and ganglia that lie outside the central nervous system
Plexus
Network of nerves such as the cervical plexus
Reflex arc
A nerve pathway that includes a receptor, sensory neuron, motor neuron, and effector organ
Sensory nerves
Collection of sensory neurons that carry information toward the central nervous system
