Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Neuroanatomy > Introduction To The Nervous System > Flashcards

Introduction To The Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

What does the nervous system do?

A

Responds to stimuli
Transmits impulses
Controls every function in the human body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the basic functional units of the nervous system? What is their function?

A

Neurons

Responsible for signaling, responding to stimuli, transiting impulses, and information processing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the function of glial cells (glia)?

A

Support nervous system tissue

Help neurons wire together in the developing brain, nurture them in the adult brain, insulate axons, mop up dead cells, recycle used neurotransmitters and protect the brain from infection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What mental and regulatory functions are facilitated by neurons?

A

Awareness of self and surroundings
Memory, learning and speech
Muscular contraction and glandular secretion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is a dendrite?

A

Receives and transmits impulses to the cell body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the cell body?

A

Receives nerve impulses from dendrites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the axon?

A

Transmits impulses away from the cell body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the function of neuronal cell bodies?

A

Contains nucleus
Maintain neuron integrity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What 2 components other then usual organelles does cytoplasm contain? What is their function?

A

Nissl bodies (endoplasmic reticulum) are prominent in the cytoplasm except where the axon emerges. They produce proteins

Neurofibrils are arranged longitudinally and are
involved in transport

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What cellular components can lead to the formation of protein clumps in neurodengenerative diseases.

A

Neurofibrils

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a unipolar neuron? Where are they found? How are they organized?

A

Axon is a single protoplasmic process

Located almost exclusively in spinal nerves and some cranial nerves

Cell bodies are organized in ganglia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a bipolar neuron? Where are they found?

A

Axon and 1 dendrite

Visual, auditory and vestibular pathways

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a multipolar neuron? Where are they found?

A

Axon and multiple dendrites

Everywhere else in the nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the difference between dendrites and axons.

A

Dendrites impulse towards cell body

Axons impulse away from cell body, can have variable length

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the significance of the morphological classifications of neurons?

A

Shapes help to maximize function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are synapses?

A

Junction between the axonal ending and a muscle cell, gland, or another neuron

Junctional space is called the synaptic cleft

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What carries impulses within a synaptic cleft?

A

Neurotransmitters which are manufactured and released by neurons, can be excitatory or inhibitory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the significance of polarization in synapses?

A

Allows impulse to travel

Impulse always travels from the axon to the next
neuron, muscle cell or gland

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is an excitatory synapse? Where are they found?

A

Enhances impulse production

Neuromuscular and neuro glandular synapse
Neuronal synapse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is an inhibitory synapse? Where can they be found?

A

Hinders production of impulse

Neuronal synapse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is anterograde axoplasmic transport?

A

Cell body nutrients are carried in a forward direction from the cell body to the termination of the axon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is retrograde axoplasmic transport? What is the clinical significance?

A

Occurs from the distal end of the axon back to
the cell body
Enables return of used or worn out materials to the cell body for restoration
route by which toxins and viruses are transported into the CNS from the peripheral nervous system (ex: rabies)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the support tissue (glia) of the CNS?

A

Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What are the support tissue (glia) of the PNS?

A

Schwann cells
capsular cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the blood brain barrier? What is its function?

A

Permeability control system controlling passage between capillaries and the CNS parenchyma; related to tight junctions between endothelial cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What are oligodendrocytes? Function? Location?

A

Small

Form and maintain myelin

Wraps around axons to form tight spiral

Can surround cell bodies (no myelin)

Produces neurotrophic factors that promote growth of damaged factors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are Schwann cells? Function?

A

Oligodendrocytes of the PNS

surrounds only one part of myelinated axon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are capsular cells (satellite cells)?

A

Glial elements that surround neuronal cell bodies in sensory autonomic ganglia
Help regulate the neuronal chemical environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is the ratio of glial cells to neurons?

A

50:1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What is included in and the function of the CNS?

A

Brain and spinal cord

Receives, processes and acts on information in the environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is the PNS? How are connections made?

A

Connect CNS to areas outside nervous system

Connections are made via cranial no spinal nerves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Where does the spinal cord extend? What are its extensions?

A

Extends from the brain stem and through the neck and back
Peripheral extensions are spinal nerves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What are afferent pathways?

A

Carry info to the brain

Sensory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What are efferent pathways?

A

Carry info away from brain

Motor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

In what NS are afferent and efferent pathways contained?

A

Both PNS and CNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Describe the somatic nervous system.

A

Voluntary control of movements via skeletal muscles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Describe autonomic nervous system.

A

Control of smooth muscles, internal organs, muscle
including blood vessels, stomach, intestine, liver, kidneys, bladder, genitals, lungs, pupils, heart, and sweat, salivary and digestive glands

Unconscious, involuntary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What are the 2 division of the autonomic nervous system? What is their functions?

A

Sympathetic fight or flight

Parasympathetic rest and digest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What is blastulation in the development of the nervous system?

A

Single-layered structure formed after repeated
cleavage of a fertilized egg.
Epithelial covering encases the fluid filled cavity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What are astrocytes? What is their function?

A

Most numerous cells in CNS

Blood Brain barrier, electrolyte balance,
neurotrophic factors and removal of neurotransmitters from synaptic cleft

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What is the function of oligodendrocytes?

A

Forms the myelin sheath

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What is the function of Schwann cells?

A

Forms the myelin sheath (PNS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Describe the structure of astrocytes and the function their provide.

A

Star shaped cell body with irregular processes

End-feet on surface of brain/spinal cord
◦ Form external limiting membrane (glial membrane)

Vascular end-feet form blood brain barrier by surrounding capillaries
◦ Selectively governs the passage of materials into the CNS via the circulatory system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

What are some additional functions of astrocytes?

A

Electrolyte balance of CNS

Neurotrophic factors: promote growth of axons, necessary for survival

Remove certain neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

What support cells are highly susceptible to the formation of neoplasms?

A

Astrocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

What is gastrulation in the development of the nervous system?

A

Blastula is reorganized into a multilayered (3) structure known as the gastrula.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

What is neurulation in the development of the NS?

A

Formation of the neural tube from the neural plate through folding process in vertebrate embryos

48
Q

What 3 layers of cells are formed during gastrulation? What structures does each form?

A

Ectoderm—outer layer that becomes the skin and nervous system

Mesoderm—middle layer that becomes muscle

Endoderm—inner layer that becomes internal organ systems

49
Q

What is the notochord?

A

Signaling center

Source of midline signals that pattern surrounding tissues

Major skeletal element of developing embryo

50
Q

Describe the further development that occurs in the brain after neurulation?

A

Swellings/outpouchings form the parts of the brain

Fluid-filled cavities develop into ventricles that contain cerebrospinal fluid

51
Q

After neurulation what parts of the brain develop?

A

Prosencephalon (forebrain)
Spinal Cord
Mesencephalon (midbrain)
Rhombencephalon (hindbrain)

52
Q

What does rostral refer to anatomically?

A

Anterior, towards the head

53
Q

What is contained in the forebrain?

A

Cerebrum
Diencephalon

54
Q

What is contained in the hindbrain?

A

Pons/cerebrum
Medulla

55
Q

Describe the forebrain.

A

Partially sits in middle and anterior cranial fossa

Largest part of the brain

Develops into two parts:
◦ Telencephalon
◦ Diencephalon

56
Q

What is the functions of the telencephalon?

A

Paired cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum)

Contains functional centers for all brain activity
◦ Motor/output and sensory/input

Integrates the highest mental functions

57
Q

What is the diencephalon? What parts of the brain are included in it?

A

Deep nuclear structures

Thalamus- relay center of incoming info

Hypothalamus- involuntary CNS control, emotions, hormones

Basal ganglia- movement refinement

58
Q

How does the eye function as part of the diencephalon?

A

Eye is an outpouching of the diencephalon and the optic nerves transmits information directly to the thalamus.

Visual pathway is part of CNS

59
Q

How are gyri and sulci involved in the function of cerebral hemispheres?

A

Brain growth is limited to size of cranial cavity

Continued growth requires folding into sulci (grooves) and gyri (convolutions)

60
Q

What is Lissencephaly? What does it result in?

A

Smooth brain due to disruptions in growth at 6-9
months leading to failure of tissue to fold

Associated with abnormal function

61
Q

What is Microcephaly? How does it affect a patient?

A

Arrested growth results in smaller brain and smaller head (regular growth continues until 7 y/o)

Intellectual disability varies depending on severity

62
Q

What is polymicrogyria? How does it affect the patient?

A

Excessive folding of the brain leads to formation
of multiple, small gyri

Abnormally thick cortex.

This abnormality can affect either one region of the brain or multiple regions

Intellectual disability, seizures, developmental delays are common associations

63
Q

What is porencephaly?

A

Gap in brain tissue

Can have normal brain function

64
Q

What is Schizencephaly?

A

Clefts (slits) in brain during development

Can cause development abnormalities

65
Q

What questions may be asked to detect developmental delays ( that may affect visual system) during a pediatric eye exam?

A

Were there any problems during the pregnancy?
Did the mother use any alcohol or drugs?
Was the child full term?
Did the child sit up, crawl, walk, talk etc., on time?
Are height and weight appropriate for age?
Head circumference?
School performance?

66
Q

What are the lobes of the cerebral hemispheres?

A

Frontal
Temporal
Parietal
Occipital

67
Q

What are brodmann’s areas?

A

Classification of cortex into 50 functional areas
Each has physiological function and pattern of connections

68
Q

What is the functions of the frontal lobe?

A

Voluntary movement (planning and execution; movement and speech motor)
Connection to limbic system- Personality, initiate, judgment
In front of central sulcus
Sits in anterior cranial fossa

69
Q

What is the lateral fissure?

A

Boundary between frontal and temporal lobe

70
Q

What is the function of the parietal lobe?

A

Perception of general sensations (pain, temp, position, touch)

Language, attention, awareness, perception

71
Q

What is the function of the temporal lobe? Where is it located?

A

Hearing, learning, language

Memory, emotion

Below lateral fissure, base in middle cranial fossa

72
Q

What is the function of the occipital lobe?

A

Primary cortex receives visual information

Secondary cortex areas that give us information regarding the visual perceptions

73
Q

What 2 tissues are contained in the cerebral hemispheres?

A

Gray and white matter

74
Q

What is contained in gray matter?

A

Contains the cell bodies, dendrites and axon terminals of neurons
Where all synapses are located.

75
Q

What is contained in the white matter? Why is it white?

A

Made of axons connecting different parts of gray matter to each other and to the rest of the CNS

White due to myelin sheath

76
Q

What does the cerebral cortex refer to?

A

Gray matter
Often used incorrectly for cerebrum

77
Q

What are commissural fibers?

A

Connect right and left halves of the brain

Ex: corpus callosum, anterior commissure

78
Q

What are association fibers?

A

Connect different areas within the same hemisphere

Help the various lobes communicate with each other

79
Q

What are projection fibers?

A

Connect the cortex with deeper underlying regions of the brain, brainstem and spinal cord

80
Q

What are the connections of the corpus callosum?

A

Genu
◦ Connects homologous parts of the frontal lobes

Trunk
◦ Connects homologous parts of the parietal lobes

Splenium
◦ Connects homologous parts of the occipital lobes

81
Q

What is a corpus callosotomy?

A

Cuts corpus callosum

Interrupts spread of seizures between hemispheres

Commissural routes maintain interhemispheric communication

82
Q

What is the significance of association fibers? What are short association fibers?

A

Specific bundles of fibers that connect specific parts of the brain

Arcuate are short association fibers

83
Q

What are projection fibers?

A

Connect the cortex with deeper underlying regions of the brain, brainstem and spinal cord

84
Q

Describe the organization of cortical gray matter.

A

Organized into layer that each have specific functions and communication with CNS for incoming, outgoing and commissural info

85
Q

What are the growth/development milestones of the brain?

A

Reaches max size at age 6

Development completes by early 20s

86
Q

What is the weight and peripheral extensions of the brain?

A

3 lbs

Cranial nerves

87
Q

What 3 classifications of senses does the afferent pathway deliver?

A

General sense: pain, temp, position,

Visceral sense: from organs

Special sense: from sense organs (5 senses)

88
Q

What 2 classifications of motor function do efferent pathways deliver?

A

Motor- muscle (somatic)

Visceral- glands (autonomic)

89
Q

How do developmental abnormalities during neurulation (specifically of the notochord) affect the affect a patient?

A

Midline structures will not develop properly
Ex: cleft palates, ocular structures

90
Q

Describe the directional terminology as the neural tube orients in the brain

A

Anterior= toward front of skull
Posterior=toward back of skull
Ventral (inferior)=toward base of skull
Dorsal (superior)=towards top of skull

91
Q

How do clinicians refer to parts of the brain?

A

By using their adjacent cranial fossa

92
Q

What is another name for the corpus callosum?
What is its function?

A

Tough body

Interconnect homologous (same regions on opposite sides) area of the 2 hemispheres (motor, sensory, and cognitive)

Bundles connect lobes

93
Q

What is the anterior commissure? What does it connect?

A

Connect temporal lobes at midline

Interhemispheric transfer of visual, auditory, and olfactory information between temporal lobes

94
Q

Describe the process by which seizures occur?

A

Nerve cell activity is disturbed, increasing activity

Seizure results in excessive motor or sensory activity

Due to connectivity this can spread within hemisphere or to opposite hemisphere

95
Q

Why is crawling an important milestone in babies? What parts of the NS would be questioned if there were abnormalities?

A

Requires coordination of motor function between right and left sides of body

CNS or visuomotor may be questioned if this milestone is not hit

96
Q

Describe the internal capsule.

A

Gathering of cortical projection fibers as they move between thalamus and deep cortical nuclei

Contains ascending (afferent) and descending (efferent) fibers, to and from cerebral cortex

97
Q

How are fibers segregated in the brain?

A

Based on where they are projecting

98
Q

What is the brainstem?

A

Stalk like part of the brain
Lower part is continuous with the spinal cord at the foramen magnum
Midbrain (uppermost), pons, medulla (lowest)

99
Q

What is the function of white matter within the brainstem?

A

Tracts that transmit sensory and motor information
between the cerebrum and the rest of the brain/body

100
Q

What is the function of gray matter within the brainstem?

A

Nuclei and functional centers associated with cranial
nerves
Other nuclei and functional centers

101
Q

What is the function of reticular formation within the brainstem?

A

Network that integrates and control all activity associated with brainstem
Clusters of neurons that run through brainstem
Maintains arousal/sleep

102
Q

What is a tract?

A

Pathways that conveys specific information from one place to another
Input/output
Can be overlapping

103
Q

What are functional paths?

A

May contain axons of neurons
Axons usually for bundles called tracts, fasciculi or nerves
NS is composed or functional paths (with white and gray matter sections)

104
Q

What cranial nerves are associated with the cerebrum?

A

1 and 2

105
Q

What cranial nerves are connected to the brainstem?

A

3-12

106
Q

How do cranial nerves work?

A

Can have one or more nuclei depending on function (motor, sensory, autonomic functions)
Receive descending info from higher areas (cortex)
Receives ascending info before relaying to cortex
Work together to carry out functions

107
Q

What cranial nerve coordinate to allow eye movements in synchronous fashion?

A

CN 3, 4, 6

108
Q

What is the cerebellum “little brain”?

A

Receives sensory info
Provides input to brainstem and cortical pathways
Key role in movement by regulating function of motor pathways (smooth, coordinated movements)

109
Q

Describe the organization and structure of the cerebellar. What are cerebellar Peduncles?

A

White and gray matter
Extensive communication (tree like appearance)
Cerebellar penduncles are projection fibers that connect with brainstem

110
Q

Describe the spinal cord.

A

Lowest part of CNS
Extends from medulla to neck and back
Begins at foramen magnum

111
Q

Describe the function of spinal nerves.

A

Enable communication with all parts of body below the head
Peripheral projections
Afferent and efferent components

112
Q

Describe ventral roots.

A

Anterior

Allow exit of efferent neurons from spinal cord

connects with dorsal root to form one spinal nerve

113
Q

Describe dorsal roots.

A

Posterior
Allow afferent info to enter the spinal cord

connects with ventral roots to form one spinal nerve

114
Q

What is a dermatome?

A

Sensory region of the skin innervates by a sensory nerve root
Can trace problems back to a specific spinal nerve

115
Q

What is a myotome?

A

Muscles innervated by a single nerve root
Motor

116
Q

Describe the internal structure of spinal nerves.

A

White matter- outer portion of axons
Gray matter- cell bodies and synapses

117
Q

What are the regions of organization within the gray matter?

A

Posterior horn
Anterior horn
Lateral horns
Intermediate zones

Neuroanatomy (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions