Nervous System Flashcards
Functions of the nervous system
1) detect and interpret sensory information
2) Integration of stimuli
3) Response to stimulus - by movement or secretion of glands
Central Nervous system is made up of
the brain and spinal cord
The central nervous system sends a ___ signal
A motor/efferent signal to PNS
The Peripheral Nervous system is made up of
parts of the nervous system other than the brain and spinal cord
The PNS sends a ____ signal
a sensory/afferent signal to CNS
Sensory receptors are picked up by the
PNS
The PNS can have two responses at first, which are
the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system
The autonomic system is made up of what
signals go to cardiac and smooth muscles and glands
The somatic system is made up of
skeletal muscles
The autonomic system can then have two other responses, which are
Parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems
The parasympathetic is are signals that
go to involuntary functions
Sympatheic signals
make your body go on high alert
Neurons
transmit nerve impulses
Neuroglia
AKA: glial cells, support + protect the neurons
Sensory neurons
send impulses toward CNS (afferent)
Motor neurons
send impulses away from CNS (efferent)
4 anatomic regions of the brain
Cerebrum, Diencephalon, Brainstem, and Cerebellum
Cerebrum is the…
largest part of the brain
the cerebrum is covered in
ridges (gyri) and grooves (sulci), patterns are similar but not identical
Fissures
like gyro but little indents in brain
Outer surface of the cerebrum is the what
the cerebral cortex, which is the thinking/ processing surface
2 hemispheres (left and right)
the corpus callosum attaches the brain
Divided into 4 lobes
Frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal
what is the function of the frontal lobe
the frontal lobe allows voluntary movement, intellectual function and reasoning, + containing speech (towards left side)
what is the function of the parietal lobe
sensory processing (skin and taste)
what is the function of the occipital lobe
vision
what is the function go the temporal lobe
hearing, memory, and emotions
Where is the diencephalon located and what other name is it called for that reason?
AKA: interbrain, located deep inside the brain, it is enclosed by the cerebral hemispheres
The Diencephalon contains what important structures?
Thalamus, hypothalamus, and the pineal gland
the thalamus…
sorts/directs signal to the appropriate region of the brain
the hypothalamus…
controls the autonomic system
-regulates endocrine system, blood pressure, thirst, hunger, and body temperature
the pineal gland…
regulates sleep-cycle hormones
the brain stem is made up of what 3 different parts
midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata
the pons takes role in what
breathing
the medulla oblongata takes role in what
regulating the heart rate
the brainstem maintains
vital life functions
the brainstem also controls…
reflexive actions such as hearing, sight, vomiting, sneezing, and coughing
Where is the cerebellum located
below the occipital lobe
what is the cerebellum’s important role
shows importance in coordinating body movements and balance, well developed in athletic individuals
What is the meninges
the protective covering over the CNS (brain)
the meninges have 3 layers, which are
dura mater (outer), arachnoid mater (middle), Pia mater (inner)
Dura mater is
tough
Arachnoid mater is
web like tissue with cerebral spinal fluid in the space below
Cerebral spinal fluid..
cushions/absorbs shock and provides nutrients to CNS
pia mater is
thin, very delicate layer but attaches to very surface of CNS and follows all grooves and ridges
where is the spinal cord located
extends from brain stem to the beginning of the lumbar region of the spine, is surrounded and protected by meninges and CSF
Spinal cord functions
1) pathway to conduct impulses (deliver messages) between brain and body
2) connections for reflex arcs
Dorsal root of spinal cord =
sensory
Ventral root of spinal cord =
motor
