Exam 1: Anatomy of the Nervous System Flashcards
Neural nets
Simple networks of interconnected neurons found in primitive organisms like jellyfish.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The part of the vertebrate nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The part of the vertebrate nervous system outside the CNS, including sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
Brain
The central organ of the nervous system responsible for processing information, controlling behavior, and regulating bodily functions.
Spinal Cord
The long, thin, tubular structure that extends from the brain and transmits neural signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
Afferent Signal
Incoming signals to the CNS from the PNS, often carrying sensory information.
Efferent Signal
Outgoing signals from the CNS to the PNS, often carrying motor commands.
Gray Matter
Regions of the CNS that are rich in neuronal cell bodies.
White Matter
Regions of the CNS that are rich in myelinated nerve fibers (axons).
Somatic Nervous System
Part of the PNS that is associated with voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles.
Autonomic Nervous System
Part of the PNS that controls involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. It has three main divisions: Enteric, sympathetic, and parasympathetic.
Sympathetic Nervous System
A division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for intense physical activity and is often referred to as the fight-or-flight response.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
A division of the autonomic nervous system that relaxes the body and inhibits or slows many high energy functions, often referred to as the rest-and-digest response.
Enteric Nervous System
A part of the autonomic nervous system that directly controls the gastrointestinal system, sometimes referred to as the “second brain” due to its autonomy.
Dorsal (Superior)
Referring to the back or upper side of an organism. In the context of the CNS, it refers to the top part of the brain or the back side of the spinal cord.
Ventral (Inferior)
Referring to the front or lower side of an organism. In the context of the CNS, it refers to the bottom part of the brain or the front side of the spinal cord.
Rostral (Anterior)
Referring to the front end of the body, or in the context of the brain, towards the nose or forehead.
Caudal (Posterior)
Referring to the back end of the body, or in the context of the brain, towards the tail or the back of the head.
Ipsilateral
On the same side of the body.
Contralateral
On the opposite side of the body.
Medial
Situated near the midline of the body or organ.
Lateral
Situated away from the midline of the body or organ.
Coronal Slice
A section that divides the brain into front (anterior) and back (posterior) parts.
Horizontal Slice
A section that divides the brain into upper (dorsal) and lower (ventral) parts.
Sagittal Slice
A section dividing the brain into left and right parts.
Cortex
The outer layer of the brain, involved in various high-order brain functions like sensation, perception, memory, association, thought, and voluntary physical action.
Gyri
The ridges or folds on the surface of the cerebral cortex.
Sulci
The grooves or furrows on the surface of the cerebral cortex.
Longitudinal Fissure
The deep groove that separates the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
Central Sulcus
A prominent groove in the brain that separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.
Lateral Fissure
A deep groove that separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.
Occipital Lobe
The posterior lobe of the brain, primarily responsible for visual processing.
Temporal Lobe
The lobe located beneath the lateral fissure, responsible for processing auditory information and encoding memory.
Parietal Lobe
The lobe located behind the frontal lobe, responsible for processing sensory information regarding the location of parts of the body as well as interpreting visual information and processing language and mathematics.
Frontal Lobe
The anterior part of the brain involved in higher cognitive functions, decision making, and voluntary movement.
Spinal Nerves
31 pairs of nerve bundles (many axons) that exit between vertebrae. Carry sensory and motor signals between the spinal cord and the body.
Vascular System of the Brain
Provides nutrients/energy and carries away waste.
Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)
A selective permeability barrier that separates the circulating blood from the brain and extracellular fluid in the central nervous system, protecting the brain from toxins and pathogens.
Ventricles
Four interconnected cavities in the brain where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced and circulated.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
A clear, colorless body fluid found in the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning, nutrient delivery, and waste removal.
Meninges
The three layers of connective tissue membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, consisting of the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
Dura Mater
The tough, outermost layer of the meninges.
Arachnoid Mater
The middle, web-like layer of the meninges.
Pia Mater
The thin, delicate inner layer of the meninges that adheres closely to the brain and spinal cord.
Nuclei
Collections of cell bodies in the CNS
Ganglia
Collections of cell bodies in the PNS
Neural Tube
The embryonic structure that gives rise to the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.
Prosencephalon
The embryonic forebrain, which later divides into the telencephalon and diencephalon.
Mesencephalon
The embryonic midbrain, which remains undivided and forms the adult midbrain.
Rhombencephalon
The embryonic hindbrain, which later divides into the metencephalon and myelencephalon.
Telencephalon
A subdivision of the prosencephalon that develops into the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures.
Diencephalon
A subdivision of the prosencephalon that develops into the thalamus and hypothalamus.
Mesencephalon (midbrain)
Remains unchanged from the three-vesicle stage and forms structures such as the tectum and tegmentum.
Metencephalon
A subdivision of the rhombencephalon that develops into the pons and cerebellum.
Myelencephalon
A subdivision of the rhombencephalon that forms the medulla oblongata.
Cerebral cortex
The outermost layer of the cerebrum responsible for higher cognitive functions.
Subcortical nuclei
Clusters of neurons beneath the cortex, including the basal ganglia, amygdala, and hippocampus.
Thalamus
A structure derived from the diencephalon that serves as a relay station for sensory information.
Hypothalamus
A structure derived from the diencephalon that regulates homeostasis and endocrine functions.
Tectum
A region of the mesencephalon involved in visual and auditory reflexes.
Tegmentum
A region of the mesencephalon involved in motor control and reward processing.
Cerebellum
A structure derived from the metencephalon that coordinates movement and balance.
Pons
A structure derived from the metencephalon that connects different parts of the brain and is involved in motor control.
Medulla oblongata
A structure derived from the myelencephalon that controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate.
