Module 6 : Nervous System Flashcards
Cells of the Nervous System Neurons
Neuron Structure
- Cell body of the neuron
- Dendrites
- Axon
Types of Neurons
- Sensory (afferent) neurons
- Motor (efferent) neurons
- Interneurons
Cells of the Nervous System: Glia (Neuroglia)
Central Glia
- Astrocytes
- Microglia
- Oligodendrocytes
Peripheral Glia
- Schwann Cells
~Myelin
~Nodes of Ranvier
~Neurilemma
nerves : nerves and tracts
Nerve coverings
- Endoneurium, perineurium, epineurium
White and gray matter
Nerves: Nerve signals
Reflex arcs
- receptor > ganglion > synapse > effector > reflex
~neurotransmitters
~two neuron arc and three neuron arc reflexes
CNS : Brain
divisions of the brain
- Brainstem
~medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain
- Cerebellum
- Diencephalon
~Hypothalamus, thalamus, and pineal gland
- Cerebrum
Brainstem
Centre of vital functions
- medulla oblongata
- pons
- midbrain
Structure
- Reticular formation
Functions
- two-way conduction paths
Cerebellum : Structure
Lies under the occipital lobe of the cerebrum
- gray matter> info processing
- white matter > arbor vitae
Cerebellum: Functions
- helps control muscle contractions to produce coordinated movements for maintaining balance, moving smoothly, and sustaining normal postures
- Coordinating effects with cerebrum and other regions of the brain
Diencephalon
Hypothalamus> major control centre for the ANS
- Controls hormone secretion by anterior and posterior pituitary glands
- Controls body temp, appetite, wakefulness, and pleasure
Thalamus
- sensory info relay; sensation and emotion association; level of consciousness regulation; complex reflex movements
Pineal Gland
- Melatonin regulation in maintaining body’s timeclock
Cerebrum
Structure
- cerebral cortex
- gyri, sulci, fissures
- tracts
- Basal nuclei/basal ganglia
Functions
- consciousness, thinking, memory, sensations, emotions, and voluntary control of movements
CNS : Spinal Cord
Structure
white matter composed of myelinated nerve fibers (outer)
Gray matter composed of neuron dendrites and cell bodies (inner)
CNS : spinal cord
Functions
primary centre for all spinal cord reflexes
Two-way conduction paths to and from the brain
- Ascending spinal cord tracts
- descending spinal cord tracts
Coverings and fluid spaces of the CNS
Meninges and bone
- cranial bones and vertebrae
- cerebral and spinal meninges
~dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
Cerebrospinal fluid spaces (CSF)
- subarachnoid spaces and meninges
- central canal inside spinal cord
- Ventricles in brain
Peripheral nervous system
Cranial nerves (12 pairs)
- connects brain with the neck and structures in the thorax and abdomen
Spinal nerves (31 pairs)
- contain dendrites of sensory neurons and axons of motor neurons
- conduct impulses necessary for sensations and voluntary movements
Dermatomes
- Skin surface area supplied by a single cranial or spinal nerve
Autonomic Nervous system : functional anatomy
Autonomic neurons
- preganglionic and postganglionic neurons
Autonomic conduction pathways
- two-neuron relays
Somatic Motor neurons
- voluntary control
- involuntary control
- somatic and special senses sensory input
autonomic conduction pathways Sympathetic division
Structure:
- preganglionic neurons located in lateral horns of gray matter in the 12th thoracic and first two lumbar segments of the spinal cord
- Sympathetic ganglia lie in two chains on either side of the vertebral column
Function:
- Emergency/stress system controlling visceral effectors
- fight or flight response
Autonomic conduction pathways parasympathetic division
Structure:
- located in brainstem nuclei and lateral gray matter of the 2nd through 4gh segments of the spinal cord
- each parasympathetic preganglionic neuron synapses with postganglionic neurons to only one effector
Functions:
- control of many visceral effectors under normal, everyday conditions
- counterbalance to sympathetic function
Glossary: Action potential
Nerve impulse
Glossary: Adrenergic fiber
Any of the axons whose terminals release norepinephrine and epinephrine
Glossary: Afferent neuron
neuron that conducts impulses toward the central nervous system; generally a sensory neuron
Glossary: Amine
a category of chemical neurotransmitters
Glossary: Anesthesia
loss of sensation
Glossary: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Hormone produced in the posterior pituitary gland to regulate the balance of water in the body by accelerating the reabsorption of water
Glossary: Arachnoid mater
Delicate, cobweblike middle membrane (meninx) covering the brain