Chapter 2: Functional Neuroanatomy Flashcards
The Cells and Structures of the Nervous System
Neurons
The basic unit of the nervous system.
Gilal Cells
Non-neural brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain,
Neuron Doctrine
The hypothesis that the brain is composed of cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically, and functionally.
Who proposed the Neuron Doctrine?
Ramon y Cajal
Synapses
The tiny gap between neurons where information is passed from one to the other.
Cell Body
The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus.
Mitochondria
A cellular organelle that provides metabolic energy for the cells processes.
Golgi Apparatus
An organelle (eukaryotic cells) that packages cellular materials into vesicles for transport.
Ribosomes
Structures in the cell body where genetic info is translated to produce proteins.
Dendrites
An extension of the cell body that receives inputs from the synapses.
Input Zone
Dendrites
Integration Zone
Cell Body
Conduction Zone
Axon
Axon
Extension from the cell body that carries action potential to other neurons.
Axon Collaterals
A branch of an axon from a single neuron.
Output Zone
Axon terminals
Axon Terminals
Swellings at the end of an axon that transmit the neurons signals across the synapses to other cells.
Motor Neurons
A nerve cell in the brain/spinal cord that transmits motor messages, stimulating a muscle/gland.
Sensory Neurons
A neuron that is directly affected by changes in the environment (light, odor, or touch).
Interneurons
A neuron that receives input from one and sends output to other neurons (short distances).
Multipolar Neurons
A nerve cell that has many dendrites and a single axon.
Bipolar Neurons
A nerve cell that has a single dendrite at one end and a single axon at the other (cell body in middle).
Unipolar Neurons
A nerve cell with a branch that leaves the cell body and then extends in two directions (receive info, and send info).
Arborization
The elaborate branching of the dendrites of some neurons.
Presynaptic
Region of a synapse that releases the neurotransmitter to a neuron.
Postsynaptic
Region of a synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitter.
Presynaptic Membrane
Specialized membrane of the axon terminal of the neuron that transmits info by releasing neurotransmitter.
Synaptic Celft
Space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes.
Postsynaptic Membrane
Specialized membrane on the surface of a cell that receives info by responding to neurotransmitter from a presynaptic neuron.
Synaptic Vesicles
Small spherical structure that contains neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitter
The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication between neurons.
Neurotransmitter Receptors
Specialized protein molecules that cover the postsynaptic membrane. They capture and react to molecules of the neurotransmitter.
Neuroplasticity
The ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience or the environment.
Axon Hillock
A cone shaped areas where the axon exits the cell body. The integration zone of the neuron.
Innervate
To provide neural input.
Histology
The scientific study or the composition of tissues.
Nissl Stains
A cell stain that reveals all cell bodies by staining RNA.
Golgi Stains
A cell stain that fills a small proportion of neurons with a dense, dark product.
Autoradiography
A histological technique that shows the distribution of radioactively labeled chemicals in tissues.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
A technique in which labeled antibodies are used to visualize the histological distribution of specific proteins.
Tract Tracers
A compound used to identify the routes and interconnections of neurons.
Axonal Transport
The transportation of materials between the neuronal cell body and axon terminals.
Astrocyte
A star-shaped gilial cell with numerous processes that extend in all directions. Helps hold nerves in place and perform the way they should.
Micorgilal Cell
Very small gilal cells that remove cellular debris from injured or dead cells.
Oligodendrocytes
A gilal cell that forms myelin in the CNS.
Schwann Cells
A gilal cell that forms myelin in the peripheral NS.
Myelination
The process of ensheathing axons in myelin.
Myelin
The fatty insulation around an axon that speeds the conduction of action potentials.
Nodes of Ranvier
A gap between segments of myelin sheath where the axon membrane is exposed.
Edema
The swelling of tissue in the brain in response to injury.
Multiple Sclerosis
A disorder characterized by widespread degeneration of myelin.
Gross Neuroanatomy
Anatomical features of the NS that are apparent to the naked eye.
Peripheral Nervous System
Includes all the nerves and neurons outside the brain and spinal cord.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord.
Nerves
Collections of axons bundled together.
Motor Nerves
A nerve that conveys neural activity to muscle tissue and causes it to contract.
Sensory Nerves
A nerve that conveys sensory info from the periphery into the CNS.
Somatic Nervous System
Part of the peripheral NS that provides neural connections to muscles and conducts sensory info to the CNS.
Autonomic Nervous System
Part of the peripheral NS that supplies neural connections to glands and to smooth muscles of internal organs.
Cranial Nerves
A nerve that is connected directly to the brain.
Spinal Nerves
A nerve that emerges from the spinal cord.
Cranial Nerve 1
Olfactory: Smell
Cranial Nerve 2
Optic: Vision
Cranial Nerve 8
Vestibulocochlear: Inner Ear/ Hearing and Balance
Cranial Nerve 9
Glossopharyngeal: Taste and mouth sensations
Cranial Nerve 10
Vagus: Information from internal organs
Ventral
- Toward the belly/front of the body
- Bottom of the brain
Dorsal
- Back of the body
- Top of the brain
Root
Branch of a spinal nerve that carries sensory info from the peripheral NS to the spinal cord.
Cervical
Topmost section of the spinal cord containing 8 segments in the neck region.
How many cervical segments are there in the spinal cord?
8
Thoracic
Second region of the spinal cord ranging from the neck to the chest
How many thoracic segments are there in the spinal cord?
12
Lumbar
Third section in the spinal cord making the lower back.
How many lumbar segments are there in the spinal cord?
5
Sacral
Fourth section of the spinal cord that makes up the pelvis.
How many sacral segments are there in the spinal cord?
5
Coccygeal / Coccyx
The bottom section of the spinal cord that makes the tailbone.