Final: Anatomy Flashcards
gray matter
thin outer layer of cerebral hemispheres (cortex) and center of spinal cord
composed of neural cell bodies, axon terminals, dendrites and nerve synapses
white matter
composed of bundles of axons
dendrites
receive information
axons
send information
neuron
composed of cell bodies that connect dendrites and axons
myelin sheath
mixture of proteins and lipids that help conduct nerve signals and protect the axons, not a solid sheath, separated by nodes of ranvier
glial cells
provide neurons with nourishment, physical support, protection, remove waste, accelerate neural conduction
astrocytes
maintain structural support while providing nourishment
microglial cells
defend against foreign objects and remove waste
oligodendrocytes
accelerate neural conduction via production of myelin
myelination
interrupted by nodes of ranvier allows nerve impulses to travel faster via saltatory conduction
neuronal synapse
as action potential travels down axon, it reaches the neuronal synapse where neurotransmitter will be released to exert effect on next neuron
central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
composed of cranial nerves that branch from the brain and spinal nerves that branch from the spinal cord
Somatic nervous system
(part of PNS) responsible for interactions with external environment and is under voluntary control
autonomic nervous system
part of PNS that is responsible for regulating internal functions and is involuntarily controlled
sympathetic nervous system
part of Autonomic NS that prepares us for physical or mental action (fight or flight)
parasympathetic nervous system
part of autonomic NS that slows the body to conserve energy (rest and digest)
cerebrum
largest part of the brain composed of right and left hemispheres
cerevellums
coordinates muscle movements, maintains posture and balance
brainstem
includes midbrain, pons and medulla
acts as relay center connecting the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord. controls functions like breathing, body temp, sleep cycles
frontal lobe
personality, emotions, intelligence, concentration, planning, judgment, speech (speaking and writing) and body movement
prefrontal cortex
regulates speech, planning, working memory, sustained attention and goal-directed behavior
parietal lobe
spatial and visual perception, sense of touch, interprets language and signals from other senses
temporal lobe
memory, hearing, understanding language, sequencing and organization
occipital lobe
interprets vision( color light and movement)
corpus callosum
bundle of fibers that join the right and left hemispheres and delivers messages
hypothalamus
master control of the autonomic nervous system
controls homeostasis and hormones
thalamus
serves as a relay station for information entering and leaving the cortex, helping to coordinate various interrelated functions
plays role in alertness, attention, pain, and memory
pituitary gland
master gland controlling all other endocrine glands in the body
pineal gland
regulates the body’s internal clock and circadian rhythm through melatonin secretion
basa; ganglia
works in conjunction with the cerebellum to initiate and coordinate movements
limbic system
center for emotion that includes the hypothalamus, amygdala (fear center) and hippocampus (memory)
