nervous system Flashcards
where do sensory nerves carry information?
to the central nervous system
where do motor nerves carry information?
away from the central nervous system
neurons
individual nerve cells that conduct electrical impulses in response to stimulus
what two basic types of cells makes up nervous tissue?
neurons and neuroglial cells
what are the 3 parts of a neuron?
dendrites - highly branched projections that recieve impulse
nerve cell body - contains the nucleus and many other organelles
axon - a projection from the nerve cell body that conducts the electrical impulse toward its destination.
neuroglial cells
cells that support and protect the nervous system
- schwan cell in the (PNS)
what do some neuroglial cells produce?
myelin - a fatty substance that acts as insulation for many axons so that they can conduct electrical impulses faster.
they do not conduct electrical impulses
synapse
the point at which the axon of one neuron meets the dendrite of the next neuron
synaptic cleft
a gap between two neurons that electrical impulses cannot pass directly across
neurotransmitter
helps electrical impulses pass through the synaptic cleft
what makes up the central nervous system?
brain and spinal cord
gray matter
composed of unsheathed or uncovered cell bodes and dendrites
- located on outside of brain
white matter
myelinated nerve fibers
- the myelin sheath makes the nervous tissue appear white
- located on inside of brain
tracts
bundles on nerve fibers interconnecting different parts of the central nervous system.
what are the 4 sections of the brain?
- cerebrum
- cerebellum
- diencephalon
- brain stem
cerebrum
located in the upper portion, and it’s the area that process thoughts, judgement, memory, problem solving, and language
what is the outer layer of the cerebrum called?
cerebral cortex - composed of folds of gray matter
gyri and sulci
gyri - elevated portions of the cerebrum, or convulsions
sulci - what gyri are separated by, fissues, or valleys.
what are the 4 lobes of each hemisphere?
- frontal lobe - personality, motor function, speech
- temporal lobe - hearing and smell
- parietal lobe - language and interpretation
- occipital lobe - vision
cerebellum
- the second largest portion of the brain, located beneath the posterior part of the cerebrum.
- this part of the brain aids in coordinating volutary body movements and maintaing balance and equilibrium.
- it also redifines the muscular movement that is initiated in the cerebrum
diencephalon; contains which two most critical areas of the brain?
thalamus - composed of gray matter and act as a center for relaying impulses from the eyes, ears, and skin to the cerebrum.
- our pain perception is controlled by the thalamus
hypothalamus - controls body temperature, appetite, sleep, sexual desire, and emotions.
- it it responsible for controlling the (ANS), cardiovascular system, digestive system, and the release of hormons from the pituitary gland.
brain stem; what are the three components this area contains?
midbrain - acts as a pathway for impulses to be conducted between the brain and the spinal cord
pons - a term meaning “bridge”, connects the cerebellum to the rest of the brain.
medulla oblongata - connects the brain to the spinal cord.
- contains the centers that control respiration, heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure.
- this is also the site where nerve tracts cross from one side of the brain to control functions and movement on the other side of the body.