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Medicine Year 1 Semester 1 - Part 2 > Introduction to Nervous System > Flashcards

Introduction to Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the structure of a neuron

A

Cell Body (also called a SOMA)
Neurites - axons/dendrites

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2
Q

Describe an axon

A

Single
Usually covered with Myelin or Schwann sheath

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3
Q

Describe a dendrite

A

Multiple
Thin, short extensions

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4
Q

Are there more neurons or glial cells ?

A

Glial cells

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5
Q

What is a major advantage of glial cells vs neurons ?

A

Glial cells can regenerate whilst neurons cannot.

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6
Q

Name the 2 glial cells involved in the PNS

A

Satellite cells
Schwann cells

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7
Q

Name the 4 glial cells involved in the CNS

A

Oligodendrocytes
Astrocytes
Microglia
Ependymal cells

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8
Q

Function of Satellite cells

A

Support the cell body (SOMA)

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9
Q

Function of Schwann cells

A

Myelin production in the PNS

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10
Q

Function of Oligodendrocytes

A

Myelin production in the CNS

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11
Q

Function of Astrocytes

A

+BBB

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12
Q

Function of Microglia

A

Scavengers

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13
Q

Function of Ependymal cells

A

CSF production

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14
Q

What is myelin ?

A

Insulation material
Rich in lipid and proteins

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15
Q

Function of myelin sheath

A

Makes conduction faster, requiring less energy

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16
Q

What types of neuroglia produce myelin ?

A

Schwann cells - PNS
Oligodendrocytes - CNS

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17
Q

Explain how Schwann cells surround the axon

A

The Schwann cells have a nucleus and cytoplasm.
They surround the axon by wrapping around them (Engulfing the axon)
The Schwann cells produce the myelin sheath.

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18
Q

Difference between Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes

A

Oligodendrocytes produce myelin for a number of axons, whereas Schwann is for one axon.

Oligodendrocytes are progenitor derived.
Schwann cells are neural crest derived.

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19
Q

How do neurons communicate ?

A

Via synapses
Communication is established by various neurotransmitters.

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20
Q

Where are neurotransmitters found ?

A

In vesicles in the synapse of an axon

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21
Q

What is a ganglion ?

A

A structure containing nerve cell bodies outside the CNS.

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22
Q

What is the gap between 2 neurones called ?

A

Synaptic cleft

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23
Q

What do the neurotransmitters bind to ?

A

The receptors on the next neurone.

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24
Q

What is a nucleus in nervous system ?

A

A structure containing nerve cell bodies inside the CNS.

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25
What are the 2 major components on the nervous system ?
Gray matter White matter
26
What is gray matter ?
Predominantly cell bodies of neurons and neuroglia and unmyelinated neurites
27
Where is gray matter found ?
On the surface of the cerebral hemispheres as well as the depths of the cerebrum.
28
In the brain where is the gray and white matter ?
Gray - outside White - inside
29
In the spinal cord where is the gray and white matter ?
Gray - inside White - outside
30
What is white matter ?
Axons - usually myelinated
31
Up/Down - blue
Projection fibres
32
Front/Back - green
Association fibres
33
Left/Right - red
Commissural fibres
34
What does the CNS contain ?
Enecephalon (BRAIN) and spinal cord Covered in meninges Suspended in Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
35
What does the PNS contain ?
Cranial and spinal nerves and their ganglia
36
What forms the CNS ?
Spinal cord Brain stem - medulla, pons, midbrain Cerebellum Cerebrum
37
What is found in the brain stem ?
The nuclei of all but the first 2 of the 12 cranial nerves.
38
What are the 2 parts of the cerebrum ?
Telencephalon Diencephalon
39
What forms the encephalon ?
Brain stem - medulla, pons, midbrain Cerebellum Cerebrum
40
What are infoldings of the cerebral hemispheres (convolutions) called ?
Gyri
41
How are Gyri separated ?
By Sulci
42
How are the 2 hemispheres separated ?
By the medial longitudinal fissure
43
What does each hemisphere contain ?
Cerebral cortex Cerebral white matter Nuclei (collection of cell bodies embedded in white matter)
44
Name the 6 cerebral lobes
Frontal Parietal Occipital Temporal Limbic - border/frame, borders the diencephalon INSULA
45
What imaging techniques help us understand functions of different regions of the nervous system ?
PET, fMRI - (used in living people)
46
What is a way of determining the function of a lobe ?
Studying the relationship between lesion and outcome Animal studies
47
Function of the frontal lobe
Motor Voluntary muscle movement Controlled and regulated
48
Functions of the parietal lobe
Sensations
49
Function of the occipital lobe
Visual associations
50
Function of the temporal lobe
Auditory - Hearing Language
51
Function of left hemisphere
Dominant - Specialised for language and maths skills Broca's area and Wernickes area
52
Function of the right hemisphere
Visual-spatial skills Creativity
53
Function of cerebrum
Each cerebral hemisphere receives sensory information from, and sends motor impulses to, the opposite side of the body.
54
Parts of the diencephalon
Thalamus Hypothalamus
55
Function of the thalamus
Major relay station for - sensastions (apart from smell)
56
Function of the hypothalamus (6)
Autonomic control Endocrine control Eating Sexual behaviour Body temperature Regulation of thirst
57
What is found in the midbrain ?
Nuclei of cranial nerves Basal nuclei Visual and Auditory reflex centres
58
What is found in the pons ?
Nuclei of cranial nerves Connections between forebrain and cerebellum Nuclei involved in regulation of respiration
59
Function of the medulla
Vital centres - regulating respiratory rhythm, heart rate and blood pressure Non-vital centres - regulating coughing, sneezing, swallowing and vomiting
60
Cerebellum
Little brain
61
Structure of the cerebellum
2 hemispheres in cerebellar fossa Convoluted with : Internal gray matter nuclei Surrounded by white matter Outer cortex of gray matter
62
Function of the cerebellum
Processes and interprets impulses form motor cortex and sensory pathways and coordinates motor activity for smooth, well timed movements Coordinates motor activity Important for balance
63
Function of the spinal cord
A 2 way impulse conduction pathway and reflex centre
64
Name the 3 meninges - outer to inner
Dura Arachnoid Pia
65
Dura mater
Outermost
66
Arachnoid mater
Adhered closely to dura Web like in appearance
67
Pia mater
Deepest layer In direct contact with the CNS tissue Enters every sulci Highly vascular
68
What is epidural space ?
Between dura and bone
69
What is subdural space ?
Potential space between Dura and Arachnoid
70
What is subarachnoid space ?
Between Arachnoid and Pia - contains cerebrospinal fluid
71
Where are the lateral ventricles found ?
In cerebral hemispheres
72
Where are the 3rd ventricles found ?
Between left and right diencephalon
73
Where are the 4th ventricles found ?
Between cerebellum and pons/medulla
74
Where are the central ventricles found ?
Spinal cord
75
What produces cerebrospinal fluid ?
The Choroid plexus
76
Describe the cerebrospinal fluid ?
Clear, cell-free fluid Fills the cerebral ventricles Passes from cerebral ventricles to the subarachnoid space
77
What absorbs cerebrospinal fluid ?
Absorbed by arachnoid granulations into dural venous sinuses.
78
Divisions of the motor nervous system ?
Somatic Autonomic - sympathetic, parasympathetic
79
Divisions of the sensory nervous system ?
Somatic - sensations you are aware of Visceral - organs Special - vision, hearing, taste, smell
80
Function of the sensory division
Conveys information from receptors in peripheral tissues and organs to the CNS
81
Function of the motor division
Transmits signals from the CNS to the effector cells - (Skeletal and Smooth muscles, organs and glands)
82
What is another name for the sensory division ?
Afferent
83
What is another name for the motor division ?
Efferent

Medicine Year 1 Semester 1 - Part 2 (37 decks)

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