Nervous System Flashcards
What are glia cells? Name them
Non-neuronal cells found in brain and nervous system.
Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells, Schwann cells, satellite cells
What is the role of astrocytes?
Regulate external environment of neutrons including neurotransmitter and ion levels. Wrap around blood vessels forming the blood-brain barrier
What is the role of oligodendrocytes?
Produce myelin sheath for CNS neurons
What is the role of microglias?
Immune cells, acting as phagocytes to clear up dead/toxic cells
What is the role of ependymal cells?
Creates cerebrospinal fluid which surrounds brain and spinal cord as protective cushioning
What is the role of Schwann cells?
Produce myelin sheath in the PSN neurons
What is the role of glial satellite cells?
Envelope for sensory somas in the PNS for support and nutrients
How many nerves are in the spinal cord and how many of each type?
31 pairs in total.
8 pairs cervical
12 pairs thoracic
5 pairs lumbar
5 pairs sacral
1 pairs coccygeal
Describe the structure of the spinal cord?
Grey matter inside, white outside, with pairs of spinal nerves on either side running down
Describe the dorsal vs ventral root
Dorsal root attaches to dorsal side of spinal cord and carries sensory neuron info to spinal cord - its afferent. Soma is on the nerve outside in the PNS. Ventral root carries motor neuron info, with soma in CNS - its efferent.
Afferent vs Efferent
Afferent - sensory neuron carrying signal to CNS
Efferent - motor neuron carrying signal from CNS to muscle/effector
What are the three types of neurons in the nervous system?
Afferent - interneurons - efferent
Which structure of neutrons are found in each neuron?
Afferent - bipolar or pseudounipolar
Interneurons - multipolar or anaxonic
Efferent - multipolar
What are the four sections of the brain?
Cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem and diencephalon
What are the 4 lobes of the cerebrum?
Frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe
Role of the frontal lobe?
Skeletal muscle movement, coordinates some other signals
Role of parietal lobe?
Somatosensory area and proprioception, and spatial - coordination
Role of occipital lobe?
Visual perception, colour and motion
Role of temporal lobe?
Auditory and olfactory areas
What are the three sections of the brain stem?
Midbrain, Pons, Medulla oblongata
Role of midbrain?
regulate eye movements
Role of pons?
Relay centre for info between cerebellum and cerebrum
Role of medulla oblongata?
Transition from brain to spinal cord. Regulates breathing, blood pressure and swallowing
Role of the cerebellum?
Associated with pons. Coordinates movement
What is the meninges?
3 layers of membrane which protect the brain and spinal cord
What is Gyrus and Sulcus?
Gyrus is the folds of the brain, while sulcus are the indents/grooves in the folds
What does the diencephalon include?
Thalamus and Hypothalamus
What is the role of the thalamus?
Integrates info and acts as a relay centre for sensory and motor info for all processes (but smell)
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
Controls homeostasis and behavioural drives (hunger, thirst, sex, sleep)
