Chapter 2: Anatomy of the Nervous System

Question 1

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 1

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Question 2

Incoming/Ascending Signals

Answer 2

Signal from the PNS moving to the CNS.

Question 3

Outgoing/Descending Signals

Answer 3

Signals from CNS to PNS.

Question 4

Afferent Information

Answer 4

Information arriving in the CNS.

Question 5

Efferent Information

Answer 5

Information leaving the CNS.

Question 6

Rostral (Anterior)

Answer 6

Forward parts of the brain.

Question 7

Weight of the Brain

Answer 7

Adult brain weighs 1.5 KG — 2% of body weight. Uses 1/5 of the body’s total energy.

Question 8

Caudal (Posterior)

Answer 8

Back parts of the brain.

Question 9

Medial

Answer 9

Centre parts of the brain.

Question 10

Lateral

Answer 10

Sides of the brain.

Question 11

Dorsal (Superior)

Answer 11

Top of the brain.

Question 12

Ventral (Inferior)

Answer 12

Bottom parts of the brain.

Question 13

Coronal Slice

Answer 13

Anterior to posterior view.

Question 14

Horizontal Slice

Answer 14

Dorsal to ventral view.

Question 15

Parasagittal Slice

Answer 15

Never symmetrical. Parallel to midline.

Question 16

-sagittal

Answer 16

Derived from Latin word meaning arrow.

Question 17

White Matter

Answer 17

Pathways of communication. For neurons to send rapid signals, they can be modified with layers of fatty lipids called myelin. Modification causes light to reflect making it look white.

Question 18

Gray Matter

Answer 18

Sections of darker pink/gray tissue. Often dense with cell bodies.

Question 19

Decussation

Answer 19

Information crossing from one hemisphere to the other.

Question 20

Corpus Callosum

Answer 20

A bundle of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, enabling communication and coordination between them.

Question 21

Three Germ Layers

Answer 21

Mesoderm, ectoderm, endoderm.

Question 22

Ectoderm

Answer 22

Eventually develops into the nervous system. Folds into itself and once it merges with the surface, the neural tube is formed.

Question 23

The neural tube

Answer 23

Forms during the 3rd-4th week of gestation. Eventually becomes the CNS.

Question 24

Early Neural Tube Development

Answer 24

Starts with three main components – three-vesicle stage. A week later it becomes the five-vesicle stage.

Question 25

Rhombencephalon (Hindbrain)

Answer 25

Oldest part of the CNS dating back to 570 million years ago. Subdivides into the myelencephalon and metencephalon.

Question 26

Myelencephalon

Answer 26

Develops into the MEDULLA OBLONGATA. Contains clumps of neurons responsible for unconscious functions.

Question 27

Metencephalon

Answer 27

Develops into the PONS and CEREBELLUM.

Question 28

Pons

Answer 28

Helps preform involuntary functions such as breathing. Also contains areas that help hear sounds and taste foods.

Question 29

Cerebellum (Little Brain)

Answer 29

Enables motor functions like balance and coordination.

Question 30

Mesencephalon (Midbrain)

Answer 30

Barely changed from three vesicle stage. Structures in the midbrain can preform variety of functions.

Question 31

Periaqueductal Gray

Answer 31

Responds to pain stimuli.

Question 32

Red Nucleus & Substantia Nigra

Answer 32

Coordinates complex movements.

Question 33

Tectum

Answer 33

Responds to incoming visual stimuli.

Question 34

Ventral tegmental

Answer 34

Processes rewards and motivation.

Question 35

Prosencephalon (Forebrain)

Answer 35

Develops into the higher order brain regions. Subdivides into diencephalon and telencephalon.

Question 36

Diencephalon

Answer 36

Contains the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Question 37

Thalamus

Answer 37

Every sensory modality passes info through here.

Question 38

Hypothalamus

Answer 38

Serves as a communication route to the body’s endocrine system. Neural signals originating in the hypothalamus can influence the chemistry and function of the whole body.

Question 39

Endocrine System

Answer 39

Network of glands that produce and release hormones in the bloodstream.

Question 40

Telencephalon

Answer 40

Contains the BASAL GANGLIA and CEREBRAL CORTEX.

Question 41

Basal Ganglia

Answer 41

Series of brain structures used for behaviors like motor and habit learning, emotional processes and action selection.