Intro to the Nervous System Flashcards
What are the 4 components of the human nervous system?
- Brain
- Spinal Chord
- Nerves
- Ganglia
What do the Glia cells do?
They are support cells that transfer nutrients to neurons.
What are the three main parts of the neuron?
- Dendritric tree
- Cell body
- Axon
What is the Axon?
The appendage of the cells along which information is carried.
What are sensory neurons?
Neurons that bring information to the CNS.
What are interneurons?
Neurons that associate info within the nervous system.
What are motor neurons?
Neurons that send info from the brain and spinal chord to the muscles.
What are the 4 main jobs of glia cells?
- They transfer nutrients to the neurons.
- They help repair damage to the nervous system, removing dead neurons.
- They guide neurons from production site to final position.
- They maintain the blood brain barrier.
What are the anatomical names for the front of the brain?
Anterior/Rostral
What are the anatomical names for the back of the brain?
Posterior/Caudal
What are the anatomical names for the top of the brain?
Superior/Dorsal
What are the anatomical names for the bottom of the brain?
Inferior/Ventral
Coronal View:
When the brain is sliced from ear to ear - separating front from back.
Horizontal View:
When the brain is sliced, separating top and bottom.
Sagittal View:
When the brain is sliced into left and right hemispheres.
What does cerebrospinal fluid do?
It cushions the brain. The fluid is found in ventricles along the spine and the skull. Nutrients from the blood reach nerve cells through CSF.
What do the cells in the dorsal section of the spine do?
They receive sensory info - from the body to the brain.
What do the cells in the ventral section of the spine do?
They convey motor info - from the brain to the body.
Where is the medulla?
It’s directly superior to the spinal chord.
4 main functions of the medulla:
- It contains cell bodies of the 12 cranial nerves, meaning it receives sensory info and motor control of the head and organs.
- It is the point where the motor fibres cross contralaterally.
- It controls vital functions such as respiration and heart rate.
- It is home to the Reticular Activating System, which is important in arousal, attention and sleeping cycles.
What does the Cerebellum do?
It controls fluid movement.
Where is the Pons?
Superior to the medulla and anterior to the cerebellum. It is the main connective bridge between the cerebellum and the rest of the brain.
What does the Pons do?
It is a point of synapse for some cranial nerves, acting as a centre for control for certain eye movements and balance.