Module 4.4 Nervous System A&P Flashcards
Define neurology
study of the nervous system
Functions of the nervous system
coordinating all the activities of the body
- received info from sensory receptors
- coordinates activities to muscles, organs & glands
Define neurologist
physician that specializes in the diagnosis and tx of the medical conditions of the nervous system
Define neurosurgeon
physician that can operate on the organs of the nervous system
What does the central nervous system CNS include
spinal cord & brain
Function peripheral nervous system
connects the CNS to the rest of the body
What are the 3 meninges called
dura mater, arachnoid mater, cerebrospinal fluid
Function of cerebrospinal fluid
- produced by ventricles in the brain
- cushions the brain & spinal
- helps to protect these structures from shock
Define brain
- made up millions of nerve cells
- largest collection of nervous tissue
- shows cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon & brain stem
Define cerebrum
- largest part of the brain
- contains nerve centers that control all sensory & motor activity, memories, consciousness, emotions, & voluntary movements.
Define cerebellum
helps coordinate sensory perception & motor output
Define peripheral nervous system PNS
- contains nerves from the brain & spinal cord that innervate the rest of the body
Define thalamus
- relay center for incoming sensory & motor impulses
- sends messages to cerebrum
Define hypothalamus
- regulates the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions
- connects the endocrine & nervous system
Define spinal cord
- protected by vertebrae
- conducts sensory impulses from the PNS to the brain then motor impulses from the brain to the spinal nerves
- processes the body’s reflexes
Define brain stem
- connects the spinal cord w/ the cerebrum & cerebellum
- has 3 parts: pons, midbrain & medulla oblongata
- cranial nerves originate here & innervate face & neck
- controls breathing, swallowing, coughing, vomiting, heartbeat & BP
Define cranial nerves
- originate in the brain
- 12 pairs
- innervate the senses, motor movements of the head & shoulders, swallowing, breathing, speech , muscles of the thoracic & abdominal cavities
Define spinal nerves
-originate in the spinal cord
- innervate the entire body
- branch out to smaller & smaller nerves
Define dorsal root
carries the sensory input to the spinal cord to be sent to the brain
Define ventral root
carries the motor output to the muscles & organs
Define autonomic nervous system
- controls involuntary functions of the body such as sweating, gland secretion, BP, smooth muscles of the organs, & heart
- has 2 divisions: sympathetic & parasympathetic
Define sympathetic branch
- activated in emergency situations
- creates “fight-or-flight” response to stress
Define parasympathetic branch
- regulates daily functioning of the body
- maintains homeostasis
