Functional Neuroanatomy Flashcards
1
Q
neuron
A
Also called nerve cell. The basic unit of the nervous system, each composed of a cell body (soma), receptive extensions (dendrites), and a transmitting extension (axon).
2
Q
glial cells
A
Also called glia or neuro glia. . Nonneuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain. They communicate with each other!
3
Q
neuron doctrine
A
The hypothesis that the brain is composed of separate cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically, and functionally.
4
Q
synapse
A
The tiny gap btw neurons where information is passed from one to the other.
5
Q
mitochondrion
A
A cellular organelle that provides metabolic energy for the cell’s processes.
6
Q
cell nucleus
A
The spherical central structure of a cell that contains the chromosomes
7
Q
ribosomes
A
Structures in the cell body where genetic information is translated to produce proteins.
8
Q
contiguous
A
close but not touching
9
Q
dendrite
A
One of the extensions of the cell body that are the receptive surfaces of the neuron.
10
Q
input zone
A
The part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons or from specialized sensory structures. Usually corresponds to the cell’s dendrites.
11
Q
cell body
A
Also called soma (plural somata). The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus.
12
Q
integration zone
A
The part of the neuron that initiates nerve electrical activity. Usually corresponds to the neuron’s axon hillock.
13
Q
axon
A
A single extension from the nerve cell that carries action potentials from the cell body to other neurons.
14
Q
conduction zone
A
The part of the neuron over which the nerve’s electrical signal may be actively propagated. Usually corresponds to the cell’s axon.
15
Q
axon collateral
A
A branch of an axon from a single neuron.
16
Q
axon terminal
A
Also called synaptic bouton. The end of an axon or axon collateral, which forms a synapse on a neuron or other target cell.
17
Q
output zone
A
The part of a neuron, usually corresponding to the axon terminals, at which the cell sends information to another cell.
18
Q
multipolar n euron
A
A nerve cell that has many dendrites and a single axon.
19
Q
bipolar neuron
A
A nerve cell that has a single dendrite at one end and a single axon at the other end.
20
Q
unipolar neuron
A
Also called monopolar neuron. A nerve cell with a single branch that leaves the cell body and then extends in two directions; one end is the receptive pole, the other end the output zone.
21
Q
motor neuron
A
Also called motoneuron. A nerve cell that transmits motor messages, stimulating a muscle or gland.
22
Q
sensory neuron
A
A neuron that is directly affected by changes in the environment, such as light, odor, or touch.
23
Q
interneuron
A
A neuron that is neither a sensory nor a motor neuron; it receives input from and sends output to other neurons.
24
Q
arborization
A
The elaborate branching of the dendrites of some neurons.
25
presynaptic
Referring to the region of a synapse that releases neurotransmitter.
26
postsynaptic
Referring to the region of a synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitter.
27
presynaptic membrane
The specialized membrane of the axon terminal of the neuron that transmits information by releasing neurotransmitter.
28
synaptic cleft
The space btw the presynaptic and postsynaptic elements.
29
postsynaptic membrane
The specialized membrane on the surface of the cell that receives information by responding to neurotransmitter from a presynaptic neuron.
30
synaptic vesicle
A small, spherical structure that contains molecules of neurotrransmitter.
31
neurotransmitter
Also called synaptic transmitter, chemical transmitter, or simply transmitter. The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication btw neurons.
32
histology
The scientific study of the composition of tissues.
33
Nissl stain
A cell stain that reveals all cell bodies by staining RNA. Useful to determine density of cells & sizes.
34
Golgi stain
A cell stain that fills a small proportion of neurons with a dense dark product. Great to determine neuron's shape. Only some neurons stained, not all like in Nissl.
35
autoradiography
A histological technique that shows the distribution of radioactive chemicals in tissue.
36
immunohistochemistry (IHC)
A technique in which labeled antibodies are used to visualize the histological distribution of specific proteins.
37
in situ hybridization
A technique in which labeled complementary nucleic probes are used to identify cells expressing specific messenger RNA transcripts, reflecting the activation of specific genes of interest.
38
tract tracer
A compound used to identify the routes and interconnections of neuronal projections.
39
receptor
Also called receptor molecule. A protein that binds and reacts to molecules of a neurotransmitter or hormone.
40
neural plasticity
Also called neuroplasticity. The ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience or the environment.
41
behavioral neuroscience
Also known as biological psychology. The study of the neural bases of behavior and mental processes.
42
correlation
The covariation of two measures. Correlation doesn't prove causal relationship!
43
How many neurons are there?
80-90billion
44
axon hillock
A cone-shaped area from which the axon originates out of the cell body. Functionally, the integration zone of the neuron.
45
innervate
To provide neural input.
46
motor protein
A specialized kinetic protein molecule that conveys a load, such as a vesicle, from one location to another within a cell.
47
axonal transport
The transportation of materials from the neuronal cell body to distant regions in the dendrites and axons, and from the axon terminals back to the cell body. anterograde transport -> from cell body to axon terminal; retrograde transport -> from axon terminal to the cell body.
48
tapering
Gradually thinning
49
astrocyte
A star-shaped glial cell with numerous processes (extensions) that run in all directions.
50
glial cells
From the Greek "glia" which means glue. Supporting brain cells which communicate with each other and with neurons. Directly affect neuronal functioning by providing neurons with raw materials and chemical signals that alter neuronal structure and excitability. There are as many glial cells as neurons - 90billion.
51
microglial cells
Very small. Also called microglia. Extremely small glial cells that remove cellular debris from injured or dead cells.
52
oligodendrocyte
A type of glial cell that forms myelin in the central nervous system.
53
Schwann cells
A type of glial cell that forms myelin in the peripheral nervous system.
54
myelination
The process of myelin formation.
55
myelin
The fatty insulation around an axon, formed by glial cells, that improves the speed of conduction of action potentials.
56
node of Ranvier
A gap between successive segments of the myelin sheath where the axon membrane is exposed.
57
edema
The swelling of tissue, such as in the brain, in response to injury.
58
multiple sclerosis
Literally "many scars". A disorder characterized by wide-spread degeneration of myelin.
59
types of glial cells
astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells, polydendrocytes (NG2) - stem cells within the brain; and ependymal cells (epithelial cells that line the ventricles.
60
gross neuroanatomy
Anatomical features of the nervous system that are apparent to the naked eye.
61
peripheral nervous system
The portion of the nervous system that includes all the nerves and neurons outside the brain and spinal cord.
62
central nervous system (CNS)
The portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and the spinal cord (brain, spinal cord).
63
cauda equina
Nerve roots constitute the anatomic connection between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
64
nerve
A collection of axons bundled together outside the CNS.
65
motor nerve
A nerve that conveys neural activity to muscle tissue and causes it to contract. Info flows from the spinal cord and brain to the muscles, organs and glands.
66
sensory nerve
A nerve that conveys sensory information from the periphery into the CNS.
67
somatic nervous system
The part of the peripheral nervous system that provides neural connections to the skeletal muslculature.
68
autonomic nervous system
The part of the peripheral nervous system that supplies neural connections to glands and to smooth muscles of internal organs.
69
cranial nerve
A nerve that is connected directly to the brain.
70
spinal nerve
Also called somatic nerve. A nerve that emerges from the spinal cord.
71
dorsal root
The branch of a spinal nerve, entering the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, that carries sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the spinal cord.
72
ventral root
The branch of a spinal nerve, arising from the ventral horn of the spinal cord, that carries motor messages from the spinal cord to the peripheral nervous system.
73
cervical
Referring to the topmost 8 segments of the spinal cord, in the neck region.
74
thoracic
Referring to the 12 spinal segments below the cervical (neck) portion of the spinal cord, corresponding to the chest.
75
lumbar
Referring to the 5 spinal segments that make up the upper part of the lower back.
76
sacral
Referring to the 5 spinal segments that make up the lower part of the lower back.
77
coccygeal
Referring to the lowest spinal vertebra (also called the tailbone).
78
autonomic ganglia
Collections of nerve cell bodies, belonging to the autonomic division of the peripheral nervous system, that are found in various locations and innervate the major organs.
79
preganglionic
Literally, "before the ganglion." Referring to neurons in the autonomic nervous system that run from the CNS to the autonomic ganglia.
80
postganglionic
Literally, "after the ganglion." Referring to neurons in the autonomic nervous system that run from the autonomic ganglia to various targets in the body.
81
sympathetic nervous system
A component of the autonomic nervous system that arises from the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord. Fight or flight.
82
sympathetic chain
A chain of ganglia that runs along each side of the spinal column; part of the sympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic activation in general is responsible for the fight or flight response.
83
parasympathetic nervous system
A component of the autonomic nervous system that arises from both the cranial nerves and the sacral spinal cord. Rest and digest.
84
norepinephrine / noradrenaline
A neurotransmitter produced and released by sympathetic postganglionic neurons to accelerate organ activity. Also produced in the brain-stem and found in projections throughout the brain.
85
acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter produced and released by parasympathetic postganglionic neurons, by motor neurons, and by neurons throughout the brain. Tends to slow down activity.
86
enteric nervous system
An extensive mesh-like system of neurons that governs the functioning of the gut. Responsible for maintaining fluid and nutrient balances in body.
87
cerebral hemispheres
The right and left halves of the forebrain.
88
cerebral cortex
Also called cortex. The outer covering of the cerebral hemispheres that consists largely of neuronal cell bodies and their branches. The seat of complex cognition.
89
gyrus (pl gyri)
A ridged or raised portion of a convoluted brain surface.
90
sulcus (pl sulci)
A furrow (wrinkle, crease) of a convoluted brain surface.
91
frontal lobe
The most anterior portion fo the cerebral cortex.
92
parietal lobe
Large region of cortex lying btw the frontal and occipital lobes of each cerebral hemisphere.
93
temporal lobe
Large lateral cortical region of each cerebral hemisphere, continuous with the parietal lobe posteriorly and separated from the frontal lobe by the Sylvian fissure
94
Sylvian fisure
Also called lateral sulcus. A deep fissure that demarcates the temporal lobe.
95
central sulcus
A fissure that divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.
96
sub-cortical brain regions
Lower regions of the brain (below cortex), which govern life-sustaining functions such as: heart rate, respiration, reflexes, balance etc.
97
postcentral gyrus
The strip of parietal cortex, just behind the central sulcus, that receives somatosensory information from the entire body. TOUCH
98
precentral gyrus
The strip of frontal cortex, just in front of the central sulcus, that is crucial for motor control.
99
corpus callosum
The main band of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.
100
white matter
A pale-colored layer underneath the cortex that consists largely of axons with white, fatty, myelin sheaths.
(on the inside for the brain, on the outside in spinal cord)
101
gray matter
Areas of the brain that are dominated by cell bodies and are devoid of myelin. (on the outside of the brain, on the inside of the spinal cord)
102
neural tube
An embryonic structure with subdivisions that correspond to the future forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.
103
forebrain
Also called PROSENCEPHALON. The anterior division of the brain, containing the cerebral hemispheres, the thalamus and the hypothalamus.
104
midbrain
Also called MESENCEPHALON. The middle division of the brain.
105
hindbrain
Also called RHOMBENCEPHALON. The rear division of the brain, which in the mature vertebrate contains the cerebellum, pons and medulla.
106
telencephalon
The frontal subdivision of the forebrain that includes the cerebral hemispheres when fully develped.
107
diencephalon
The posterior part of the forebrain. Including the thalamus and hypothalamus.
108
metencephalon
A subdivision of the hindbrain that includes the cerebellum and the pons.
109
cerebellum
A structure located at the back of the brain, dorsal to the pons, that is involved in the central regulation of movement.
110
pons
A portion of the metencephalon; part of the brainstem connecting midbrain to medulla.
111
medulla
Also called myelencephalon. The posterior part of the hindbrain, continuous with the spinal cord.
112
brainstem
The region of the brain that consists of the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla.
113
nucleus
Here, a collection of neurons within the central nervous system (e.g., the caudate nucleus).
114
tract
A bundle of axons found within the CNS.
115
allocortex (allo = other)
Cortical tissue with 3 layers or unlayered organization. In contrast with 6-layered neocortex.
116
pyramidal cell
A type of large nerve cell that has a roughly pyramid-shaped cell body; found in the cerebral cortex.
117
apical dendrite
The dendrite that extends from a pyramidal cell to the outermost surface of the cortex.
118
basal dendrite
One of several dendrites on a pyramidal cell that extend horizontally from the cell body.
119
cortical column
One of the vertical columns that constitute the basic organization of the neocortex.
