Nervous System Flashcards
What is grey matter
Contains the body of the neurons and axon terminals
-located in the outer region of the brain
What is white matter
Contains the nerves (axons) connecting different region of the NS to each other or the body
-located in the inner region of the brain
What are the afferent neurones
nerves responsible for bringing sensory information from the outside world into the brain
What are the efferent neurones
nerves responsible for carrying signals from the brain to the peripheral nervous system
What is ganglia
Structures containing neurons outside of the CNS
Outline the somatic nervous system
conscious perception of environmental changes through somatic sensory neurones of the PNS
Outline the autonomic nervous system
Unconscious perception of external or internal changes through visceral sensory neurones in both CNS and PNS
Outline the enteric nervous system
Unconscious perception of internal changes within the gastrointestinal tract through visceral sensory neurons in gastrointestinal tract
What are neurones
Smallest functional unit of the brain
Responsible for transmission of signal
What are glial cells?
Surround the axon of the neurones
Glial cells myelinate the axon of the neurones
Saltatory conduction makes it faster
Schwann cells in PNS
Oligodenocytes in CNS
What are the three units the brain can be divided into
-forebrain (brain cortex+ hidden structures)
-midbrain (mesencephalon)
-hindbrain(upper part of the spinal cord, brain stem and the cerebellum)
Outline hemispheric lateralisation
Each hemisphere is responsible for different functions
Left->language functions
Right-> visual spatial functions
Name the 5 lobes and their function
Frontal- motor
Parietal- somatosensory
Occipital- visual
Temporal- auditory
Limbic- process and regulate emotion and memory
Outline the function of the amygdala.
Involved in fear and emotions
Define the hippocampus
Involved in memory and high cognitive functions
Define the thalamus and hypothalamus
Thalamus- relays information between the cerebral cortex, brain stem, and other cortical structures
Hypothalamus- modulates a range of behavior and physiological functions
Outline the basal ganglia
Group of neurones that regulate the coordination of the fine motor movements,balance, and posture alongside the cerebellum
What are the components of the basal ganglia
Striatum- caudate, putamen
Lenntiform- globes pallidus, putamen
Outline the ventricles and cerebrospinal fluids
Ventricles- fluid-filled interconnected cavities which are extensions of the spinal cord
Produce cerebrospinal fluid that circulates the brain and spinal cord and functions to cushion the brain within the skull
Outline what is involved in the midbrain and its function
Mesencephalon- controlling the process of vision, pupil dial action, eye movement, hearing, regulating movements of muscles
Outline what is in the hindbrain
-upper part of the spinal cord
-brain stem
-cerebellum
What is vermis
Bundle of axons
What structures are in the brain stem
Medulla
Pons
Midbrain
What is the function of the medulla
Autonomic functions
What is the function of the pons
Relaying sensory information between the cerebrum and cerebellum, sleep and arousal
What is the function of the midbrain
Visual and auditory reflexes and information
Identify areas in the spinal cord
Dorsal horns
Dorsal root ganglia
Ventral horns
Ventral root
White matter- ascendent or descendent tracts
Decussation= X
Outline the PNS cranial nerves
-nerves attached to the brain
- 12 nerves
- 3 are solely sensory fibres
- 5 are motor fibres
-4 are mixed of sensory and motor
Define a neurotransmitter
Biochemical that mediates fast-acting direct communication between two neurones
Define neruomodulators
Biochemical that modulates activity of neruons and neural networks by changing the ability of neurones to response to neurotransmitters
Outline what ionotropic receptors are
Rapid but short-lived effects
Outline what metabotropic receptors are
G coupled proteins- second messenger (cAMP)
Chnage in membrane potential happens more slowly, but is typically long-lasting
Outline Glutamate
-major excitatory neurotransmitter
-excitotoxic potential
Outline GABA
-most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS
Outline Acetylcholine
-the magnocellular basal forebrain cholinergic system
-the brain stem cholinergic system
Plays an important role in cognitive function
Outline noradrenaline
Central noradrenergic system is composed of the dorsal noradregernic bundle and the ventral noradregernic bundle
Involved in fight or flight response
Outline the DNB
Originates from the ponds
Predominant site of noradrenaline production in the CNS
Outline dopamine in Mesolimbic
Involved in pleasure and reward
VTA projects dopaminergic fibres to the NAc
Outline dopamine in the mesocortical pathway
From the VTA to the areas in the PFC
Outline dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway
Involved in motor planning
Start in the substantial nigra and go to the Caudate and putamen parts of the basal ganglia
Contains around 80% of dopamine in the brain
Outline dopamine in the tuberinfundibular
Within the hypothalamus
D is released into the portal circulation that connects this region to the pituitary gland
D inhibits prolactin release
Outline serotonin
Majority of the projections arise from the dorsal and median raphe nuclei- in the brain stem- and innervate amygdala, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebral cortex and part of the hippocampus
