nerves, neurons and anatomical subdivisions

Question 1

describe the main functions of nerves

Answer 1

sensory fucntions(pain, touch, temp. etc.)
'special' senses (taste, sight, hearing, balance)
motor fucntions(voluntary and involuntary movement)

Question 2

what 2 parts is the nervous system split into

Answer 2

Central Nervous System(CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System(PNS)

Question 3

what parts of the body are included in the CNS

Answer 3

Brain, spinal cord

Question 4

what parts of the body are included in the PNS

Answer 4

all other nerve tissue not in CNS
spinal nerves(connected to spine), cranial nerves(connected to brain), autonomic nerves(organs, smooth muscle etc.)

Question 5

describe the basic structure of a neuron

Answer 5

they have a main body, dendrites and an axon(nerve fibre) with a myelin sheath round it

Question 6

what is the name given to a collection of nerve bodies in the PNS, a bundle of axons in the CNS + PNS

Answer 6

nerve bodies in PNS = Ganglions
axon bundle CNS = Tract
axon bundle PNS = Nerve

Question 7

describe the basic structure of peripheral nerves

Answer 7

a bundle of axons(nerve fibres) wrapped in connective tissue, bundles of axons(nerve fibres) can leave as branches
they travel to/from the same structure/region

Question 8

what is meant by a named nerve

Answer 8

named nerve = larger nerves supplying the body wall, body cavities and organs

Question 9

describe the relationship between single nerve fibres and modalities(functions), and name the different modalities

Answer 9

a single nerve fibre can only have ONE modality
modalities = somatic sensory function, somatic motor function, special sensory function, visceral afferent function, sympathetic function, parasympathetic fucntion

Question 10

are bundles of nerve fibres in connective tissue(peripheral nerves) all of same modality or different

Answer 10

they can be all of same modality or of mixed(spinal nerves, branches, some cranial nerves) modality

Question 11

describe the difference between motor and sensory

Answer 11

motor(afferent) = action potential towards body wall, organ, cavity
sensory(afferent) = action potential towards the brain