Nerve and Muscle Flashcards
What are the two sections of the nervous system?
Central nervous system (CNS)
Peripheral nervous system including the ENS (PNS)
What makes up the CNS?
the brain and the spinal cord
What makes up the PNS?
nervous tissue outside the CNS such as cranial nerves and spinal nerves
What are the two general cell classes in the nervous system?
Neurons and glia
Describe the function of a neuron (nerve cell)
a cell specialised for the transmission of information
How many morphological types of neurons are there?
4
What are the morphological types of neurons
- multipolar
- unipolar
- bipolar
- anaxonic
Describe a multipolar neuron
- multiple dendrites
- single axon
- most common neurons in the CNS
Describe a bipolar neuron
Two distinct processes (one dendritic and one axonal) branching off the cell bod
Describe a unipolar neuron
- the dendrites and axon are continuous
- the cell body lies off to one side
Describe an anaxonic neuron
- no distinct axon
- difficult to determine what is the axons and which are the dendrites
Describe the function of glia
support for neurons
How many basic types of glia are there?
5
What are the basic types of glia?
In the CNS: - astrocytes - microglia - ependymal cells - oligodendrocytes In the PNS: - Schwann cells
How many basic types of glia are in the PNS and how many are in the CNS?
1 in the PNS
4 in the CNS
Describe an astrocyte and explain its function
- a type of glia in the CNS Function: - supply nutrients to neurons - ensheath blood capillaries - transmit information (this role has just been discovered)
Describe a microglia and explain its function
- a type of glia in the CNS
Function: - immune cells of the CNS
- engulf microorganisms and debris
Describe an ependymal cell and explain its function
- a type of glia in the CNS
Function: - lines the ventricles in the brain and spinal cord
- have cilia to circulate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Describe an oligodendrocyte and explain its function
- a type of glia in the CNS
Function: - support nerve fibres
- ensheath nerve fibres with myelin
Describe a Schwann cell and explain its function
- a type of glia in the PNS
Function: - support peripheral nerve fibres
- ensheath them with myelin
Describe myelin, including its function and where it comes from
A sheath made of lipid (fat) that is wrapped around the axon of a neuron.
It increases the conduction velocity of electrical impulses down the axon
In the CNS it comes from oligodendrocytes and in the PNS it comes from the Schwann cells (it is the plasma membrane of the Schwann cell)
In the CNS, a group of cell bodies is called
a nucleus (confusing)
In the CNS, a bundle of axons is called a
tract
In the CNS, a group of cell bodies in the cerebral cortex or spinal cord is called
Grey matter
In the CNS, a bundle of myelinated axons in the cerebral cortex of the spinal cord or cerebral cortex is called
white matter
In the PNS, a group of cell bodies is called a
ganglion (pl. ganglia)
In the PNS, a bundle of axons is called a
nerve
What is a nucleus?
A group of cell bodies in the CNS
What is a tract?
A bundle of axons in the CNS
What is grey matter?
A group of cell bodies in the cerebral cortex or spinal cord in the CNS
(cell bodies, unmyelinated axons, axon terminals, dendrites etc.)
What is white matter?
A bundle of myelinated axons in the cerebral cortex or spinal cord in the CNS
What is a ganglion?
A group of cell bodies in the PNS
What is a nerve?
A bundle of axons in the PNS
What is the function of the dendrites?
- receive input
- send info to the cell body
What is the function of the cell body?
- contains the nucleus and organelles
- sums input that it collects from the dendrites
What is the function of the axon?
- carries electrical impulses
What is the function of the axon terminal?
- at the end of the axon
- neurotransmitter release
What are the Nodes of Ranvier?
- the gaps in between myelin in a neuron in the PNS (in between Schwann cells)
What is the input zone?
- dendrites and cell body
Describe the function of the input zone
- receives chemical signals from other neurons
What is the summation zone?
- the axon hillock
Describe the function of the summation zone
- decides whether or not it will pass on information
ie. whether to transmit the signal any further
What is the conduction zone?
- the axon (this could be quite long)
Describe the function of the conduction zone
messages in the form of action potentials are conducted to other cells via the axon
What is the output zone?
the axon terminals
Describe the function of the output zone
release of neurotransmitter to pass message on to other cells via the axon terminals
Presynaptic neuron
neuron before the synapse
What is the function of the presynaptic neuron?
releases neurotransmitter from axon terminal
Postsynaptic neuron
neuron after the synapse
What is the function of the postsynaptic neuron?
contains receptors for the neurotransmitter
What is a synaptic cleft?
the space where the synapse happens
What is somatic efferent information?
Give an example
Voluntary muscle control (eg. contraction of a skeletal muscle)
What is somatic afferent information?
Give an example
Sensory information we are aware of (eg. what we can see, hear, smell, feel)
What is autonomic efferent information?
Give an example
Involuntary muscle control (eg. contraction of the cardiac muscles producing and controlling heartbeat)
What is autonomic afferent information?
Give an example
Sensory information we aren’t aware of (eg. blood pressure)
Describe the upper motor neuron
- one of the myelinated neurons between the brain and the effector (skeletal muscle) in the somatic efferent division
- cell body in brain
- axon in spinal cord
Describe the lower motor neuron
- one of the myelinated neurons between the brain and the effector (skeletal muscle) in the somatic efferent division
- cell body in spinal cord
- axon in spinal nerve (carrying info between the spinal cord and the PNS)
What neurotransmitter is released in the somatic efferent nervous system at the synapse between the lower motor neuron and effector (skeletal muscle)?
Acetylcholine (ACh)
How many neurons are between the brain and the effector in the autonomic efferent nervous system?
3
What are the possible effectors of the autonomic efferent nervous system?
smooth muscle
cardiac muscle
glands
adipose (fat) tissue
Describe neuron #1 in the autonomic efferent nervous system
- cell body in the brain
- axon in the brain or spinal cord (CNS)
Describe neuron #2 in the autonomic efferent nervous system
- cell body in the brain or spinal cord
- axon in the PNS
- myelinated axon
Describe neuron #3 in the autonomic efferent nervous system
- cell body in the PNS
- axon in PNS (autonomic ganglion - group of cell bodies in the PNS)
- un-myelinated axon extends to the effector
Is neuron #2 in the autonomic efferent nervous system myelinated or un-myelinated?
Myelinated
Is neuron #3 in the autonomic efferent nervous system myelinated or un-myelinated?
un-myelinated
Where is the synapse between neuron #2 and #3 in the autonomic efferent nervous system and what is the neurotransmitter?
Synapse at autonomic ganglion
Neurotransmitter = ACh
Where is the synapse between and the effector organ in the autonomic efferent nervous system and what is the neurotransmitter?
Synapse at effector organ
Neurotransmitter = ACh or norepinephrine (NE)
In the synapse between neuron #2 and #3 in the autonomic efferent nervous system, which neuron is the pre-ganglionic neuron?
Neuron #2
and neuron #3 is the post-ganglionic neuron
What are the two subdivisions of the autonomic efferent nervous system?
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic
Describe the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
- prepares the body for stress responses
- “fight or flight” system
Effects include: - increased heart rate
- constricting blood vessels to skin and viscera (internal organs)
- increasing blood flow to muscles
- decreased gastric motility
- decreased salivation
- increased pupil size
- increased sweating
Describe the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
- prepares the body for restful situations
- “rest and digest” system
Effects include: - decreased heart rate
- increased gastric motility
- decreased pupil size
- increased salivation
Describe the sympathetic nervous system synapse between neurons #2 and #3 (including neurotransmitter release)
- cell body in CNS
- pre-ganglionic axon is SHORT and myelinated and in the PNS
- neurotransmitter released in autonomic ganglion is ACh
- the autonomic ganglion is CLOSE to the CNS
Describe the sympathetic nervous system synapse between neuron #3 and the effector (including neurotransmitter release)
- cell body in PNS (autonomic ganglion)
- post-ganglionic axon is LONG and un-myelinated and in the PNS
- neurotransmitter released in effector synapse is NE
Within the autonomic efferent pathway, what is the neurotransmitter that is released by the second neuron to the third neuron in the parasympathetic nervous system
ACh
Describe the parasympathetic nervous system synapse between neuron #3 and the effector (including neurotransmitter release)
- cell body in PNS (parasympathetic ganglion)
- post-ganglionic axon is SHORT and un-myelinated and in the PNS
- neurotransmitter released in effector synapse is ACh
In the sympathetic nervous system, the axons of pre-ganglionic neurons (neuron #2) leave the CNS at
Thoracolumbar level of the spinal cord
In the sympathetic nervous system, the synapse and cell body of the post-ganglionic neurons (neuron #3) are in
the sympathetic ganglion
Describe the sympathetic chain ganglia
- collection of cell bodies linked together as a chain
- 21-23 pairs of cell bodies
- alongside the vertebral column
- place where the pre-ganglionic axon (neuron #2) synapse with the post-ganglionic axon (neuron #3)
- an axon comes away from the spinal cord (CNS) and it synapses here onto another neuron which then travels to the periphery
In the parasympathetic nervous system, the axons of pre-ganglionic neurons (neuron #2) leaves the CNS at the
cranial (brain stem) and sacral (spinal cord) levels
Where does the spinal cord start and end?
Starts at the foramen magnum
ends at the inferior border of the 1st lumbar vertebra (L1)
Where does the spinal cord sit?
Within the meningeal sack that fits inside the spinal cavity which is within the vertebra
At the end of the spinal cord, there is the
tapered cone of non-neural tissue called conus medularis
What is the conus medularis?
tapered cone of non-neural tissue at the end of the spinal cord
Between the conus medularis and the end of the spinal cavity is the
Filum terminale
What is the filum terminale?
Fibrous, non-neural tissue that extends from the conus medularis to the end of the spinal cavity to anchor the spinal cord
Where do the spinal nerves exit the vertebral column?
At the level that is appropriate to their origin eg. nerves originating in the lumbar spinal cord leave through the lumbar vertebrae.
Because the spinal cord finishes at the L1 vertebra, some of the spinal nerves have to extend lower than the spinal cord which creates a tail of spinal nerves.
How many segments does the spinal cord have?
31
How many pairs of spinal nerves come off each segment in the spinal cord?
one pair (left and right)
What is the Cauda Equina?
The large collection of nerves inferior to the spinal cord
Axons (myelinated or un-myelinated) are covered with
endoneurium
Endoneurium covered axons are bundled together to form a
Fascicle
Fascicles are covered with
Perineurium
Fascicles are bundled together to form a
nerve
Nerves are covered with
epineurium
What are the 3 protective coverings of the brain?
Dura mater
Arachnoid
Pia mater
The collective name for the 3 protective coverings of the brain is
the meninges
What are 5 features of the dura mater?
- outer-most layer of meninges
- dense and fibrous (tough) so that if there is a head injury, skull fragments do not penetrate the brain
- two layers
- the space between the two layers forms venous sinuses in some places
- the inner layer forms dural folds
Describe the dural folds and include their function
- formed from the inner layer of the dura mater
- separates major divisions of the brain
- provides stability of the brain within the cranium
What are the 3 dural folds and where are they located?
- Falx cerebri (separates cerebral hemispheres)
- Falx cerebelli (separates cerebellar hemispheres)
- Tentorium cerebelli (separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum)
What are 3 features of the venous sinuses?
- located where the two layers of the dura mater separate
- collecting veins
- They collect two things:
1. venous (deoxygenated) blood from the brain
2. ‘Old’ CSF after is had cycled through the ventricular system
What are 5 features of the arachnoid mater?
- layer beneath the dura mater
- layer above the pia mater
- does not extend into sulci (‘valleys’)
- contains two anatomical features:
1. subarachnoid space
2. arachnoid granulations - contains blood vessels (within the subarachnoid space, lying on top of the pia mater)
What are the four lobes in the brain called?
- frontal lobe
- parietal lobe
- occipital lobe
- temporal lobe
What are three ways to identify which is the anterior and which is the posterior aspects of the brain?
- the posterior aspect is more pointy
- the cerebellum is at the posterior aspect
- the anterior aspect has a C shape from the lateral view
What is a sulcus?
a furrow/valley in the brain
What is a gyrus?
a hill in the brain