chapter 3.3 Flashcards
the central nervous system
- consists of the brain and spinal cord
- the spinal cord receives information from the brain and stimulates nerves that extend out into the body
the peripheral nervous system
a division of the nervous system that transmits signals between the rest of the body and is divided into the somatic and autonomic nervous system
the somatic nervous system
consists of nerves that control skeletal muscles which are responsible for voluntary and reflexive movement.
autonomic nervous system
the part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes.
parasympathetic nervous system
helps maintain homeostasis balance in the presence of change; following sympathetic arousal
sympathetic nervous system
is responsible for the fight or flight response of an increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and decreased salivary flow; the responses prepare the body for action.
Hind brain
- consists of structures that are critical to controlling basic, life sustaining processes
- located at the top of the spinal cord
brain stem
it is the bottom of the brain and consists of two structures: the medulla and pons
Medulla
regulates breathing, heart rate, sneezing, all the actions your body does with little conscious control.
the pons
contributes to generel level of wakefulness, roll in dreams. also helps control balance, eye movement and swallowing.
reticular formation
extends from the medulla upwards to the mid brain
- it influences attention and alertness
cerebellum
lump like structure at the base of the brain
-is involved in monitoring movement, maintaining balance, attention, and emotional response
midbrain
just above the hind brain
- primarily functions as a relay station between sensory and motor areas
forebrain
consists of all neural structures above the midbrain
- critical to complex processes such as emotion, memory, thinking, and reasoning
basal ganglia
a group of three structures that are involved in facilitating planned movements, skill learning, and integrating sensory information with the brains reward system.
