Functional organisation of the nervous system Flashcards
LO 1: Describe the functional organisation of the nervous system
What is the CNS?
Central nervous system comprising of BRAIN & SPINAL CORD
What is the function of the CNS?
Integration, processing and coordination of SENSORY DATA and MOTOR COMMANDS
What is the FOREBRAIN?
Includes the CORTEX and LIMBIC SYSTEM
What is the SOMATOSENSORY CORTEX?
The part of the cortex used for SENSING
What is the MOTOR CORTEX?
The role of the primary motor cortex is to generate neural impulses that control the execution of movement
Which 4 areas of the brain make up the LIMBIC SYSTEM?
- Thalamus 2. Hypothalamus (regulator of homeostasis) 3. Amygdala 4. Hippocampus
What is the AMYGDALA responsible for?
Receives input from all senses.
Responsible for emotional learning.
What is the THALAMUS?
A pre-cortical relay point of the sensory neurons
What is the HIPPOCAMPUS responsible for?
Sorting input and transferring it into stored memories
Where is the MIDBRAIN?
In a small area above the pons
Which neurotransmitter is released by the MIDBRAIN?
DOPAMINE - the reward neurotransmitter
What is the PONS?
- Contains nuclei connecting the forebrain with the cerebellum.
- Also contains the pontine respiratory centre (fine regulation of respiration).
What is the PONTINE REGULATORY CENTRE?
Located in the PONS it is involved in fine regulation of respiration
What does the MEDULLA do?
- Autonomic regulation of respiratory rate and depth
- Heart rate & cardiac output
- Vasomotor tone
- Digestion
Where is the PONS?
The HINDBRAIN
Brain stem and cerebullum
What is the CEREBELLUM?
Involved in processing porition & movement
Fine motor skills
What are INTERNEURONS?
Small neurons that process SENSORY information
How many SPINAL NERVES are there?
31
What part of the nervous system do the SPINAL NERVES belong to?
PERIPHERAL
What is the SPINAL NERVE’S function?
Each spinal nerve carries motor, sensory and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body
What are PNS GANGLIA?
RELAY POINTS that contain NEURAL CELL BODIES & SYNAPSES
What is a PLEXUS?
A collection of associated GANGLIA
What is the term for GANGLIA in the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM?
NUCLEI
- They are areas within the GREY MATTER containing specific categories of cell bodies and synapses
What is a NERVE?
A bundle of neurons (FASICLE) contained in the ENDONEURIUM
What divides the AXON from the SOMA?
TRIGGER ZONE
Where are PYRAMIDAL NEURONS found?
The brain
How many sets of dendrites do pyramidal cells typically have?
2
What is a Schwann cell and where is it found?
- PNS
- Forms a MYELIN SHEATH in some PERIPHERAL NEURONS
What are the 3 main types of GLIAL CELL?
- OLIGODENDROCYTE
- ASTROCYTE
- MICROGLIA
Where are GLIAL CELLS found?
Central Nervous System
What is an OLIGODENDROCYTE?
Found in the CNS, OLIGODENDROCYTES myelinate and support CNS axons
What are ASTROCYTES?
CNS cells
Most abundant in the brain
Control over circulation and nutrition
Also involved in neurotransmitter levels and synaptic function
What are MICROGLIA?
Macrophage equivalents in the brain
