Chapter 2 Flashcards
What is the central nervous system?
- what structures are included?
- how does the brain develop?
- how do we differentiate location of one structure/area and another structure/area?
The CNS consists of two organs, the brain and the spinal cord. It is responsible for processing and transmitting information through the body. The brain develops from the neural tube into distinct regions. They are differentiated by anatomical landmarks, directional terms, and imaging techniques.
What is the peripheral nervous system?
- what structures are included?
- how is it divided?
- what is it responsible for?
The PNS connects the CNS to the body via the cranial (12) and spinal nerves (31). It is divided into the somatic (voluntary control of muscles) and autonomic (involuntary) systems. The autonomic system then splits into the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) and parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) divisions. It relays sensory input to the CNS and sends motor commands to muscles and glands.
What are some support structures for the nervous system? What do they do? How do they work?
Glial cells: they support, protect, and maintain neurons (structural support, produce myelin, act as immune cells, produce CSF)
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): cushions the brain and spinal cord while removing waste. Produced in the brains ventricles and eventually reabsorbed into the bloodstream.
Meninges: protect the brain and spinal cord (Dura Mater, Arachnoid Mater, and Pia Mater)
Blood-Brain Barrier: protects the brain from harmful things in the blood stream (selectively allows nutrients while blocking toxins and pathogens)
Myelin: insulates axons to speed up conduction of electrical impulses
Afferent
Nerves that carry sensory signals toward the CNS
Anterior
Refers to the front or forward facing part of the body or structure
Anterior cerebral arteries
Arteries supplying blood to the frontal lobes and superior medial regions of the brain
Arachnoid mater
The middle layer of the meninges with a web-like structure that surrounds the brain and spinal cord
Astrocyte
Type of glial cell int he CNS that supports neurons and helps maintain the blood-brain barrier
Autonomic nervous system
There part of the nervous system controlling involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing
Basal ganglia
A group of structures involved in motor control, cognition, and emotion
Blood-brain barrier
A selective barrier that protects the brain from harmful substances in the bloodstream
Cadal
Refers to structured towards the back or tail end of the body
Central canal
A small canal running through the spinal cord filled with cerebrospinal fluid
Central sulcus
A groove that separates the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain
(Cerebral) cortex
The outer layer of the brain responsible for high-order functions like thought, perception, and voluntary movement
Cerebellum
The brain region responsible for motor coordination, balance, and posture
Cerebrospinal fluid
A fluid that cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord, circulating in the ventricles and subarachnoid space
Cervical
Pertaining to the neck or upper portion of the spinal cord
Circle of Willis
A circular arterial structure that provides blood supply to the brain
Contralateral
Refers to the opposite side of the body
Coronal
A plane that divides the body or brain into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections
Corpus callosum
A large bundle of nerve fibres connecting the two hemispheres of the brain
Cranial nerves
Twelve pairs of nerves that emerge from the brain, controlling sensory and motor functions of the head and neck
Cross-section
A transverse or horizontal slice through a structure
Diencephalon
A brain region that includes structures like the thalamus and hypothalamus, involved in sensory processing and homeostasis. THALAMUS
Distal
Refers to a structure further away from the point of attachment or origin
Dorsal
Refers to the back or top of a structure, often used in reference to the spinal cord or brain
Dorsal root ganglion
A cluster of sensory nerve cell bodies located near the spinal cord
Dura mater
The tough outer layer of the meninges that encases the brain and spinal cord
Efferent
Refers to the nerves that carry motor signals away from the CNS to muscles and glands
Enteric nervous system
A network of neurons in the gastrointestinal tract responsible for digestive functions
Fight-or-flight response
A psychological reaction triggered by the sympathetic nervous system in response to stress or danger
Fissure
A deep groove or cleft in the brain, separating different brain regions
Forebrain
The largest part of the brain, including the cerebrum and diencephalon, involved in higher cognitive functions
Fourth ventricle
A CSF-filled cavity located between the brainstem and cerebellum
Frontal lobe
The part of the brain responsible for decision-making, voluntary movement, and speech
Gray matter
Regions of the brain and spinal cord made up of neuronal cell bodies and unmyelinated axons
Gyri (gyrus)
The raised ridges on the surface of the brain
Hemorrhagic stroke
A stroke caused by bleeding in to around the brain
Hindbrain
The lower part of the brain, including the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata
Hippocampus
A structure in the brain involved in memory formation and learning
Horizontal
A plane that divides the body or brain into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections
Hydrocephalus
A condition characterized by excessive accumulation of CSF in the brain
Hypothalamus
A small region of the brain responsible for regulating hormones, body temperature, hunger, and thirst
Inferior
Refers to a structure located below or toward the feet
Ipsilateral
Refers to the same side of the body or brain
Ischemic stroke
A stroke caused by a blockage of blood flow to the brain
Lateral
Refers to a structure away from the midline of the body or brain
Lateral fissure
A deep groove separating the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes
Lateral ventricles
A pair of large, CSF-filled cavities in the cerebral hemispheres
Longitudinal fissure
A deep groove separating the two cerebral hemispheres
Lumbar
Refers to the lower back or the region of the spine between the thoracic and sacral areas
Medial
Refers to a structure closer to the midline of the body or brain
Medulla oblongata
The lower part of the brainstem that controls vital functions like heart rate and breathing
Meninges
The three layers of protective tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater)
Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges, often caused by infection
Mesencephalon
Also known as the MIDBRAIN, involved in sensory and motor processing
Metencephalon
The region of the brain that includes includes the pons and cerebellum PONS!!
Midbrain
A part of the brain involved in visual and auditory processing and motor control
Middle cerebral arteries
Arteries that supply blood to the lateral aspects of the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes
Myelencephalon
The part of the hindbrain that becomes the medulla oblongata
Myelin
A fatty substance that insulates axons, speeding up the transmission of nerve impulses
Neural tube
The embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord
Occipital lobe
The part of the brain responsible for processing visual information
Parasagittal
A plane parallel to the Sagittal plane, diving the body or brain into unequal right and left sections
Parasympathetic nervous system
A division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for “rest and digest” activities
Parietal lobe
The part of the brain responsible for processing sensory information like touch and spatial awareness
Pia mater
The delicate inner layer of the meninges that closely adheres to the brain and spinal cord
Pons
A part of the brainstem that relays signals between the cerebellum and cerebrum and regulates breathing
Posterior
Refers to the back or rear-facing part of the body or structure
Posterior cerebral arteries
Arteries that supply blood to the occipital lobe and parts of the temporal lobe
Primary auditory cortex
The brain region responsible for processing sound, located in the temporal lobe
Primary motor cortex
The region of the frontal lobe responsible for voluntary motor control
Primary somatosensory cortex
The region of the parietal lobe responsible for processing sensory information like touch and temperature
Primary visual cortex
The region of the occipital lobe responsible for processing visual information
Prosencephalon
Also known as the forebrain, it includes the cerebrum and diencephalon
Proximal
Refers to a structure closer to the point of attachment or origin
Rest-and-digest response
A physiological state promoted by the parasympathetic nervous system that conserves energy and promotes digestion
Rhombencephalon
The hindbrain, including the medulla, pons, and cerebellum
Rostral
Refers to a structure toward the front of the body or brain
Sacral
Refers to the region near the base of the spine, between the lumbar and coccygeal areas
Somatic nervous system
The part of peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements by innervating skeletal muscles
Spinal cord
A long, cylindrical structure of nerve tissue that transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body
Spinal nerves
Nerves that branch from the spinal cord
Sulci (sulcus)
Grooves or folds on the surface of the brain that separate the gyri (ridges), increasing the brains surface area
Superior
Refers to a structure located above or towards the head
Sympathetic ganglion
Clusters of nerve cell bodies in the sympathetic NS that relay information to organs during “fight or flight” responses
Sympathetic nervous system
A division of the autonomic NS responsible for the bodies “fight or flight” response, preparing the body for stress or emergencies
Telencephalon
The part of the brain that develops into the cerebrum, including the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system. CEREBRUM
Temporal lobe
A region of the brain responsible for processing auditory information, language, and memory
Thalamus
A relay station in the brain that processes sensory information and directs it to appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex
Third ventricle
A fluid-filled cavity in the brain located in the diencephalon, part of the ventricular system that contains cerebrospinal fluid
Thoracic
Refers to the mid-section of the spinal column, located between the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions.
Transverse
A plane that divides the body or a structure into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections, also called the horizontal plane
Vagus nerve
The 10th cranial nerve that controls many functions, including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate, through the parasympathetic NS
Vagus nerve
The 10th cranial nerve that controls many functions including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate, through the parasympathetic NS
Ventral
Refers to the front or belly side of the body or structure (opposite of dorsal)
Ventricles
Cavities in the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid that provide cushioning and help maintain brain metabolism
Vertebral column
The backbone or spine, made up of vertebrae that protect the spinal cord and support the body’s structure
White matter
Regions of the brain and spinal cord composed of myelinated axons, responsible for transmitting signals between different areas of the CNS
