Nervous System Flashcards
The function of the Nervous System
Detects impulses from the senses; the control center of the body
Major organs of the nervous system
Brain, spinal cord, senses, nerves
Difference between neurons and neuroglia
Neurons take up 10%, Neuroglia takes up 90%
Dendrite
Receives the nerve impulses from the senses or another neuron
Soma
Body of the neuron that holds the nucleus
Axon
The passageway for nerve impulses after the cell body; end in the axon terminal
Myelin sheath
Insulates the axon. Produced by the Schwann cells
Node of Ranvier
Impulses jump from node to node, which increases the speed of impulse
Axon terminal
The button-like endings of axons through which axons make contact with other nerve cells.
Axon
A portion of a nerve cell (neuron) that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body. (also called a nerve fiber)
CSF
Protects the brain by preventing it from contacting the skull, maintains the blood-brain barrier, which controls homeostasis for the brain and prevents infection.
Cerebrum
The largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres
Frontal Lobe
Voluntary movements, reasoning, and decision-making, memory, planning, verbal communication
Parietal Lobe
Sensations, visual-spatial processing, body position
Occipital Lobe
Visual processing- vision & memory of objects
Temporal Lobe
Memory, understanding words/language, sensations of smell and sound, and emotional association of memories
Thalamus
Relays sensory impulses to the cerebral cortex for processing and sorting
Hypothalamus
Controls hormones released by the pituitary gland, also responsible for autonomic processes
Brainstem
Has 3 regions, located between the cerebrum and spinal cord
Midbrain
Relays info to the cerebrum, control body movements, and postures
PONS
BREATHING. Carries info from one side of the brain to the other (that’s why it is called a bridge)
Cerebellum
MOVEMENTS. (also called the baby/little brain!)
Spinal Cord
Comes from the medulla oblongata
Spinal Cord
Comes from the medulla oblongata, Relays impulses from the PNS to the brain