Lesson 1 - Intro to Neuroanatomy Flashcards by Lauren Carroll

What does the nervous system do?

responds to internal and external
stimuli

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

The nervous system is the centre of all ——– activity?

all mental activity including thought, learning and memory

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

The nervous system keeps us in touch with our environment both internal and external through what?

its receptors

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Name 2 features of the CNS

Brain 2. Spinal cord

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Name 2 features of the PNS

Nerves 2. Ganglia

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

The CNS and PNS are located in the ———– body cavity?

dorsal

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

The brain is protected by the ?

cranium

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

The spinal cord is protected by the ?

vertebrae

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the 3 layers of meninges around the CNS?

Dura Mater 2. Arachnoid Mater 3. Pia Mater

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Name the 12 cranial nerves

CN I: Olfactory
CN II: Optic
CN III: Oculomotor
CN IV: Trochlear
CN V: Trigeminal
CN VI: Abducens
CN VII: Facial
CN VIII: Vestibulocochlear
CN IX: Glossopharyngeal
CN X: Vagus
CN XI: Spinal Accessory
CN XII: Hypoglossal

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What does the afferent/sensory division do?

The afferent or sensory division transmits impulses from peripheral organs to the CNS

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What does the efferent/motor division do?

The efferent or motor division transmits impulses from the CNS out to the peripheral organs to cause an effect or action.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What division is this?:
Receptors detect internal or external stimuli and relay information towards CNS (afferent neurones)

sensory

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What division is this?:
Analysis, storage, decision making, perception (interneurones)

integrative

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What division is this?:
Muscular contraction, glandular secretion (efferent neurones)

motor

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the sympathetic nervous system?

controls “fight-or-flight” responses.
In other words, this system prepares
the body for strenuous physical
activity.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the parasympathetic nervous system?

regulates “rest and digest”
functions. In other words, this
system controls basic bodily
functions while one is sitting
quietly reading a book.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Activation of the sympathetic nervous system triggers an acute stress response called…?

the “fight or flight or freeze” response
enabling a person to either fight the
threat or flee the situation.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Explain what happens in the body and sympathetic nervous system upon stimulus/stress/threat

rush of adrenaline and noradrenaline secreted from the adrenal medulla causes almost all portions of the sympathetic system to discharge simultaneously as a widespread mass discharge effect
throughout the entire body.

↑ arterial pressure ↑ blood flow to active muscles and ↓
blood flow to organs not needed for rapid motor activity (e.g. stomach), ↑ rates of cellular metabolism throughout body, ↑ muscle strength, ↑ mental activity, ↑ blood glucose
concentration, ↑ glycolysis in the liver/muscle. This allows a
person to perform more strenuous activity than normal.

After the perceived threat disappears, the body returns to
pre-arousal levels

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Stress can trigger our ——– nervous pathway (AKA our “fight or flight” pathway)

sympathetic

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the neurotransmitter associated with the parasympathetic division?

Acetylcholine

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the neurotransmitter associated with the sympathetic division?

Norepinephrine

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Norepinephrine and Acetylcholine serve most of the same organs but have ————- effects

opposing

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Stress can cause ——– within and outside of the brain

disease

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Stress can cause structural changes and ------------- of the brain. It can cause reductions in the --------- of critical parts of the brain.

neurodegeneration volume

Name a structural/neurodegenerational change that stress can have on the brain

- Memory impairments - Reduced cognitive function - Promote behavioural and mood disorders

What implications can stress have on the gut?

* Can change areas in the brain that control appetite leading to anorexia and reduced food and water intake * Can affect the stomach and bowels directly to prevent stomach emptying and accelerate bowel movement. * Can activate the immune system and increase inflammation in the gut to induce irritable bowel syndrome and reactivation of previous inflammatory bowel disease

What is an Autonomic imbalance?

- characterized by a hyperactive sympathetic system and a hypoactive parasympathetic system - is associated with various pathological conditions - Over time, excessive energy demands on the system can lead to premature aging and diseases.

Autonomic imbalance is associated with all eight major ---------------- risk factors, including obesity and diabetes Autonomic imbalance is a common feature of the biology of acute and chronic -----------

cardiovascular stress

The ---------- is the main control centre of the CNS

brain

The brain’s ----------- --------------- is the outermost layer that gives the brain its characteristic wrinkly appearance.

cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex is divided lengthways into two cerebral -------------s connected by the ---------- ------------

hemispheres corpus callosum

Each of the brain's 2 cerebral hemispheres, are divided into 4 lobes. Name them.

frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital

The lobes of the brain are divided by a number of bumps ('---------') and grooves ('------------').

bumps ('gyri') grooves ('sucli')

What is the purpose of the folding of the brain and the resulting gyri and sulci?

increases its surface area and enables more cerebral cortex matter to fit inside the skull.

Name the cerebral fissure between the 2 cerebral hemisphere

the longitudinal cerebral fissure

Name 3 functions of the frontal lobe

1. Decision making 2. Voluntary Movement 3. Brocha's area

Name some functions of the temporal lobe

1. Memory processing 2. Integration with emotions and sensations 3. Wernike's area (left side)

Name a function of the parietal lobe

Sensory and spatial information processing

Name a function of the occipital lobe

vision

The frontal lobe is separated from the parietal lobe by a space called the ------------- --------------

central sulcus

The frontal lobe is separated from the temporal lobe by the ---------- ----------

lateral sulcus

Parietal lobe: behind the frontal lobe, separated by the ------------ ----------

central sulcus

Areas in the ---------- lobe are responsible for integrating sensory information, including touch, temperature, pressure and pain.

parietal

What is the name of this lobe? "Separated from the frontal lobe by the lateral fissure. Also contains regions dedicated to processing sensory information, particularly important for hearing, recognising language, and forming memories."

temporal lobe

What is the temporal lobe's role with regards to auditory information

The temporal lobe contains the primary auditory cortex, which receives auditory information from the ears and secondary areas, and processes the information so we understand what we’re hearing (e.g. words, laughing, a baby crying).

What is the temporal lobe's role with regards to visual processing

Certain areas in the temporal lobe make sense of complex visual information including faces and scenes

What is the temporal lobe's role with regards to memory

The medial (closer to the middle of the brain) temporal lobe contains the hippocampus, a region of the brain important for memory learning and emotions

Where is the hippocampus located?

The medial temporal lobe

What is the primary visual cortex (occipital lobe)?

The primary visual cortex, also known as V1, receives visual information from the eyes. This information is relayed to several secondary visual processing areas, which interpret depth, distance, location and the identity of seen objects.

What is Frontotemporal disorders (FTD)?

* Frontotemporal disorders are sometimes called frontotemporal dementia. * Result from damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Many possible symptoms can result, including unusual behaviors, emotional problems, trouble communicating, difficulty with work, or difficulty with walking. * FTD is rare and tends to occur at a younger age than other forms of dementia. Roughly 60% of people with FTD are 45 to 64 years old.

The brain can be roughly divided into 3 regions...what are they?

forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain

The ----------- contains most of the brainstem and cerebellum

hindbrain

Why is the brainstem one of the most important parts of the central nervous system?

It connects the brain to the spinal cord and coordinates many vital functions, such as breathing and heartbeat.

Name the 3 main parts of the hindbrain

pons, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata

Are most of the 12 cranial nerves found in the forebrain, midbrain or hindbrain?

hindbrain

The ----------- coordinates our sensations with responses from our muscles, enabling most of our voluntary movements. It also processes nerve impulses from the inner ear and coordinates them with muscle movement, thus helping us maintain balance and posture.

cerebellum

The pons connects the rest of the brainstem to the ------------- ---------------

cerebral cortex

where is the pons located?

it sits right underneath the midbrain

What part of the brain serves as a coordination centre for signals and communications that flow between the two brain hemispheres and the spinal cord?

the pons

the -------------- nerve helps coordinate eye movement; the ---------- nerve coordinates movement and sensation in the face; the -------------- nerve processes sounds and helps us maintain balance; and the ----------------- nerve coordinates chewing and carries sensory information from the face and the head

abducens facial vestibulocochlear trigeminal

Name the 4 cranial nerves that are found in the pons

the abducens, the facial, the vestibulocochlear and trigeminal

What is the role of the medulla?

The medulla plays a critical role in transmitting signals between the spinal cord and the higher parts of the brain and in controlling autonomic activities, such as heartbeat and respiration

What are the 4 cranial nerves that stem from the medulla?

glossopharyngeal, vagus, spinal accessory, hypoglossal

the -------------- nerve coordinates some taste sensations and mouth movements; the ---------- nerve controls mouth movements, voice and the gag reflex; the ---------- ------------ nerve coordinates head and neck movements; and the ----------- nerve controls tongue movements and muscles involved in our speech

glossopharyngeal vagus spinal accessory hypoglossal

the spinal cord begins at the ------------ bone and extends down to the space between the first and second ----------- vertebrae.

occipital lumbar

the spinal cord does not extend the entire length of the ---------- -------------

vertebral column

What is the length of the spinal cord in women vs men?

women: 17 inch men: 18 inch

How many different segments are in the spinal cord?

At every segment of the spinal cord, right and left pairs of spinal ------------s (sensory and motor) form

nerves

Name 3 main functions of the spinal cord

1. Conduit for motor information, which travels down the spinal cord 2. Conduit for sensory information in the reverse direction 3. Coordination of certain reflexes

What is another name for a nerve cell?

a neuron

What is a neuron?

A neuron is a specialized cell which transmits information through electrical and chemical signals.

Where are neurons found?

in the brain, spinal cord and the peripheral nerves.

Name 3 things that a neuron consists of?

* large cell body * Dendrites * Nerve fibers (axons)

What are dendrites ( in neurons) ?

projections emerging from the cell body that receive impulses from the axons of other neurons

What are nerve fibres (axons)?

elongated extension for sending impulses which may divide into several branches

Axons end in synaptic specialisations called ---------- --------s from which information travels to dendrites of other neurons. The impulses from the axon cross a synapse (the junction between two nerve cells) to the dendrite of another cell

nerve terminals

A nerve contains bundles of nerve fibres, either -----------s or ------------s, surrounded by ----------------- tissue

axons, dendrites, connective

Sensory nerves contain only ----------- fibers, long dendrites of sensory neurons

afferent

Motor nerves have only ----------- fibers, long axons of motor neurons.

efferent

Mixed nerves contain ---------- types of fibers. All spinal nerves are mixed nerves. Some cranial nerves are mixed nerves

both

A connective tissue sheath called the -------------- surrounds each nerve. Each bundle of nerve fibers is called a -------------- and is surrounded by a layer of connective tissue called the --------------. Within the --------------, each individual nerve fiber , with its myelin and neurilemma, is surrounded by connective tissue called the --------------. A nerve may also have blood enclosed in its connective tissue wrappings.

epineurium fasciculus perineurium fasciculus endoneurium

What percentage of matter in the brain is grey matter?

40%

What percentage of matter in the brain is white?

60%

What does grey matter in the brain consist of?

neuronal cell bodies and their dendrites. The dendrites are short protrusions (like little fingers) that communicate with neurons close by.

Name 2 roles of brain grey matter

* Provides ability to think and reason. * Processing of sensation, perception, voluntary movement, learning, speech and cognition takes place here

What does white matter in the brain consist of?

consists of the long axons of neurons that transmit impulses to more distant regions of your brain and spinal cord.

What is the role of brain white matter?

Provides communication between different grey matter areas and between grey matter and the rest of your body.

Where might you see grey matter loss present?

Occurs in AD, PD, MS, TBI

What are the results of grey matter loss?

cognitive impairment, memory loss, motor issues

Name 2 possible Peripheral Neuropathy causes

trauma/surgery, chronic illness (diabetes, lupus)

Name 3 symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

* Motor (muscle weakness, uncontrolled movements) * Sensory (tingling, pain, numbness) * Autonomic (blood pressure, sweating, bladder problems)