Nervous System Flashcards
5 functions of nervous system
maintain homeostasis receive sensory input through receptors/stimuli integrate information produce motor output establish and maintain mental activity
neuropathy
disease of the nerves
proprioception
awareness of ones space
somatic
distinct from the mind
multiple sclerosis
deviation of nervous pathways
6 types of neuralgia
astrocytes ependymal cell microglia olingodendrocytes neurolemmacytes satellite cells
cerebrum
the uppermost part of the brain
split into 2 hemispheres by the longitudinal fissure, contains numerous folds called gyri that increase surface area
gyri
bumps and ridges on the cerebral cortex
diencephalon
connects the brain stem to the cerebrum
contains the thalamus, subthalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus
responsible for body temp, circadian rhythm, thirst, hunger
cerebellum
attached to the brainstem posterior to the pons
responsible for coordination and motor skills
areas of brain stem
top: thalamus
superior midbrain (2):
superior colliculi
inferior colliculi
middle: pons varolli
bottom: inferior medulla oblongata
how many cerebral lobes
5
corpus callosum
a large bundle of myelinated nerve fibres that connect the brain hemispheres
limbic system
a primitive system responsible for basic survival functions such as reproduction, nutrition
how many spinal nerves? split them
31
8 cervical 12 thoracic 5 lumbar 5 sacral 1 coccygeal
name of hole at the bottom of the skull
foramen magnum
2 enlargements of spinal cord
cervical and lumbosacral
dermatome
a specific area of the body supplied by a specific spinal nerve (helps with diagnosing nerve damage)
meninges
connective tissue membranes that stick the brain to the spinal cord
3 areas of meninges
dura meter
arachnoid mater
pia mater
dura mater
most superficial and thickest membrane
arachnoid mater
middle meningeal membrane, thin wispy arachnoid mater
pia mater
deepest meningeal membrane, bound very tight to the surface of the spinal cord and brain
CSF
cerebrospinal fluid
cerebrospinal fluid
a clear, slightly alkaline, colourless fluid that surrounds the brain
csf function
shock absorber
cushions the brain
circulates nutrients
maintains uniform pressure
choroid plexus
a network of blood vessels in the brain that produce cerebrospinal fluid
Arachnoid Villi
responsible for the re-uptake of cerebrospinal fluid, they project from the arachnoid mater into the venous sinuses
Blood Brain Barrier
comprised of a layer of astrocyte neuroglia and a capillary wall. This separates the neurones from the blood which creates a semi permeable membrane.
a selective barrier that protects the brain from potentially toxic substances and chemical variations in the blood.
02, c02, h20, steroids, glucose, alcohol, diffuse quickly. Drugs, inorganic ions, amino acids diffuse slowly.
Meningitis:
Inflammation of the meninges
2 types of meningitis
bacterial/viral
2 types of bacterial meningitis
Meningococcal
Pneumococcal
symptoms of meningococcal septicaemia (5)
Haemorrhagic rash Elevated RR Tachycardia Chest to chin diagnostic Light sensitivity
septicaemia
is a bloodstream infection, bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, damaging the walls of the blood vessels which leads to inadequate tissue perfusion or major organs
Encephalitis
inflammation of the brain, usually caused by an infection or autoimmune response - rare but serious, common symptoms include confusion, seizures, weakness
seizures/fits/convulsions split into
2 subcategories
non epileptic - response to stimuli that does not originate within the CNS
epileptic - result of excessive amount of neural activity in the brain
2 types of seizures
partial - discharge starts in localised area
generalised - both sides of brain
4 types of generalised seizures
absence
atonic
tonic
tonic clonic
absence seizure
brief unconsciousness
atonic seizure
sudden loss of muscle tone
tonic seizure
sudden stiffening of the muscles, rigid and falling
tonic clonic seizure
rigid, falls to the ground, laboured breathing, apnoeic
2 types of partial seizure
simple partial
complex partial
simple partial seizure
consciousness and awareness are maintained, pins and needles, discomfort, strange smell or taste
complex partial seizure
alteration of consciousness, confused, lip smacking, grimacing, picking at clothing
stroke
same pathophysiology of MI
blood supply to the brain is blocked
2 types of stroke
haemorrhagic (bleed)
ischaemic (embolic/atherosclerotic) (blockage)
decussation of pyramids
- The crossover point of the cranial nerves, it marks the border between the spinal cord and medulla oblongata
Bleed/blockage effects one side of face and opposite side of body
Transverse Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
Temporary disruption of blood supply, neurological deficit is >24 hours
