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Human Anatomy > Nervous System > Flashcards

Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

Name the 2 main parts of the Nervous system and what each consists of.

A

Central Nervous System - Brain & Spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous system - Affector & effector neurones

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2
Q

List the 3 parts of a neuron.

A
  • Axon
  • Cell body
  • Dendrite(s)
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3
Q

The axon carries information _____ from the cell body.

A

Away.

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4
Q

Dendrites carry information ____ the cell body.

A

To.

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5
Q

Name the 2 neuron types found in the spinal cord.

A

Ascending & Descending.

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6
Q

What is the Vertebral foramen?

A

The vertical tunnel that runs through each vertebra.

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7
Q

When the vertebrae are stacked on top of each other to form the spine, the vertebral foramen form the what?

A

Vertebral canal.

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8
Q

Where is the spinal cord contained within?

A

Vertebral canal.

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9
Q

True or false? Throughout its length, the spinal cord’s cross sectional appearance changes.

A

False. The spinal cord has a standard cross sectional appearance throughout its length.

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10
Q

The outer section of the spinal cord is formed of white matter which consists of what?

A

It consists of axons of neurons that form ascending or descending pathways.

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11
Q

The inner section of the spinal cord is formed from grey matter which consists of what?

A

The inner section is where cell bodies of neurons are located and is where synapses occur between these cell bodies, their dendrites and the axons of other neurons.

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12
Q

Where do nerves from the body enter the spinal cord through?

A

Dorsal roots.

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13
Q

What do nerves exit the spinal cord through?

A

Ventral horn (ventral root).

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14
Q

Name the 2 divisions of the Peripheral Nervous system.

A

Somatic & Autonomic

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15
Q

In the somatic nervous system where do descending motor tracts from the cerebral cortex mostly run?

A

In the lateral corticospinal tract.

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16
Q

In the somatic nervous system where do sensory neurons carrying fine touch and proprioception from the limbs run?

A

In the dorsal columns.

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17
Q

In the somatic nervous system where do sensory neurons carrying pain and temperature fibres run?

A

In the anterolateral fasciculus

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18
Q

Where do autonomic nerves run?

A

Alongside the spinal cord in a collection of ganglia.

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19
Q

At what vertebral level does the spinal cord end in adults?

A

L1

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20
Q

At what vertebral level does the spinal cord end in children?

A

L3

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21
Q

Nerves that travel to the CNS are called what?

A

Affector neurons.

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22
Q

Nerves that travel from the CNS are called what?

A

Effector neurons.

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23
Q

Which division of the PNS deals with the ‘subconscious’ control of our bodies (temperature control, secretions etc.)?

A

Autonomic Nervous system.

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24
Q

The autonomic nervous system can be divided into what 2 systems?

A

Sympathetic & Parasympathetic systems.

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25
Q

True or false? The autonomic nervous system reaches its target via a single neuron.

A

False. The autonomic system has pre and post-ganglionic neurons.

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26
Q

Which section of the autonomic nervous system initiates the ‘fight or flight’ response?

A

The sympathetic nervous system.

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27
Q

Where are sympathetic cell bodies present?

A

In the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord segments.

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28
Q

Where do parasympathetic neurons arise from?

A

From the cranial nerves or from the lumbo-sacral spinal cord.

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29
Q

Which section of the autonomic nervous system initiates the ‘rest and digest’ response?

A

The parasympathetic nervous system.

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30
Q

Where are parasympathetic ganglia located?

A

Close to the target organ.

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31
Q

What does activation of the sympathetic nervous system do?

A
  • Increases heart rate
  • Causes vasoconstriction in the skin and viscera (including GI and kidneys)
  • Reduces peristalsis
  • Vasodilation occurs in the muscles and heart
  • Sweat glands are stimulated to secrete sweat
  • Adrenaline is secreted from the adrenal medulla
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32
Q

What does activation of the parasympathetic nervous system do?

A
  • Decreases heart rate and force of contraction
  • Causes vasodilation in the viscera (including GI and kidneys)
  • Increases peristalsis
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33
Q

Which systems maintain homeostasis?

A

The autonomic and somatic nervous systems.

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34
Q

Which nervous system is responsible for conscious control?

A

The somatic nervous system.

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35
Q

What do somatic sensory nerves (afferent) detect?

A

Somatic sensory nerves (afferent) detect pain, temperature, touch and proprioception.

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36
Q

True or false? Somatic neurons do not synapse once they have left the CNS, they project directly to their target cell via a single neuron.

A

True.

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37
Q

Name the 2 types of somatic nerves and where they arise from.

A
  • Spinal nerves that arise from the spinal cord.

- Cranial nerves that arise directly from the brain.

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38
Q

Define Proprioception.

A

Location of the body in space, spacial awareness.

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39
Q

What do somatic efferent nerves innervate?

A

Somatic efferent neurons innervate skeletal muscle.

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40
Q

Define Spinal nerves.

A

Spinal nerves are the peripheral nerves that carry axons of neurons of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems to and from the spinal cord.

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41
Q

Where does a spinal root leave the spinal cord and what is the exception?

A

A spinal root leaves the spinal cord below each vertebra (T1, T2 etc) except in the cervical region where they exit superior to the vertebrae.

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42
Q

How many spinal roots are there?

A

31.

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43
Q

Where are dorsal and ventral roots present?

A

A dorsal and ventral root is present at each segment or vertebral level (plus one at theoretical C8).

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44
Q

True or false? Dorsal roots (posterior roots) are usually afferent.

A

True. Dorsal roots are usually afferent,carrying information from the periphery to the CNS.

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45
Q

Where do dorsal and ventral roots unite and what do they become?

A

They unite a small distance from the spinal cord to form a mixed segmental spinal nerve which may continue to a nerve plexus or become a single peripheral nerve.

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46
Q

Which spinal nerves is the lumbar plexus made up of?

A

The lumbar plexus is made up of spinal nerves arising from the spinal cord below vertebrae T12-L5.

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47
Q

True or false? The ventral roots (anterior roots) are usually efferent.

A

The ventral roots are usually efferent, carrying information from the CNS to the periphery in somatic motor and autonomic neurons.

48
Q

After spinal roots leave the spinal cord and form spinal nerves they may blend with nerves from other spinal levels to form what?

A

A plexus.

49
Q

Dermatomes and Myotomes are representative of what?

A

The distribution of somatic nerves.

50
Q

Each spinal nerve supplies and is supplied by a distinct area of skin called what?

A

A dermatome.

51
Q

Each spinal nerve supplies and is supplied by a group of muscles called what?

A

A myotome.

52
Q

Why is it clinically useful that each spinal nerve supplies and is supplied by a distinct area of skin or group of muscles?

A

Clinically this can be very useful as the location of spinal lesions or damage can be ascertained from loss of sensation or motor function in distinct areas.

53
Q

Which spinal nerves innervate most of the muscles and dermatomes of the thigh and leg?

A

The Sciatic and Femoral nerves.

54
Q

Which nerve is a motor to muscles of the posterior thigh (the hamstrings that act to flex the knee)?

A

The Sciatic nerve.

55
Q

Which nerve is a sensory afferent nerve from the skin over the lateral side of the leg and skin on the sole and dorsum of foot?

A

The Sciatic nerve.

56
Q

Which nerve is a motor to muscles of the anterior thigh (the quadriceps that act to extend the knee)?

A

The Femoral nerve.

57
Q

Which nerve is a sensory afferent nerve from the anterior thigh and medial leg?

A

The Femoral nerve.

58
Q

How many cranial nerves are there?

A

12.

59
Q

How do cranial nerves differ from spinal nerves?

A

Cranial nerves don’t have a dermatomal or myotomal distribution.

60
Q

True or false? Each cranial nerves serves a different function in the head and neck.

A

True.

61
Q

The cranial nerves supply ‘special senses’, what are they?

A
  • Sight
  • Taste
  • Hearing
  • Smell
  • Balance
62
Q

What is the CN I Olfactory nerve’s function?

A

Afferent from nasal mucosa, carries information related to smell.

63
Q

What is the CN II Optic nerve’s function?

A

Afferent for vision from retina.

64
Q

What is the CN III Oculomotor nerve’s functions?

A
  • Controls movements of the eye and some control of the eyelids
  • Motor to pupil constrictors
65
Q

What is the CN IV Trochlear nerve’s function?

A

Motor to one muscle that moves the eye.

66
Q

What is the CN V Trigeminal nerve’s functions?

A
  • Afferent from surface of face

- Motor efferent to muscles of mastication

67
Q

What is the CN VI Abducent nerves’s function?

A

Motor efferent to one muscle of the eye.

68
Q

What is the CN VII Facial nerve’s functions?

A
  • Taste from anterior tongue and palate
  • Motor efferent to muscle of facial expression
  • Motor efferent to glands that secrete saliva
69
Q

What is the CN VIII Vestibulocochlear nerve’s functions?

A
  • Hearing from cochlear of ear

- Balance from vestibular apparatus of ear

70
Q

What is the CN IX Glossopharyngeal nerve’s functions?

A
  • Taste from posterior tongue
  • Motor efferent to help with swallowing
  • Afferent sensation from external ear
  • Secretomotor to one saliva gland
  • Afferent sensation from carotid body and sinus
71
Q

What is the CN X Vagus nerve’s functions?

A
  • Motor to muscles of pharynx, larynx and palate
  • Parasympathetic innervation of smooth muscle in trachea, bronchi, GI tract and cardiac muscle
  • Afferent sensation from GI tract, heart and airways
72
Q

What is the CN XI Accessory nerve’s functions?

A
  • Motor to soft palate.
  • Motor to pharynx.
  • Motor to two big muscles in the neck
73
Q

What is the CN XII Hypoglossal nerve’s function?

A

Motor to muscles of tongue.

74
Q

What is the left hemisphere of the brains function?

A

The left hemisphere controls logic, numbers and language. It processes the sensory and motor pathways for the right side of the body.

75
Q

What is the right hemisphere of the brains function?

A

The right hemisphere is involved with creativity, imagination and rhythm and processes the sensory and motor pathways of the left side of the body.

76
Q

What are the 2 hemispheres of the brain joined by?

A

A neural bridge of nerve fibres known as the corpus callosum.

77
Q

What parts of the brain are found within the Forebrain?

A
  • Cerebrum
  • Thalamus
  • Hypothalamus
78
Q

What parts of the brain are found within the Hindbrain?

A
  • Cerebellum
  • Pons
  • Medulla
79
Q

What parts of the brain are found within the Brainstem?

A
  • Midbrain
  • Pons
  • Medulla
80
Q

Which part of the brain does the reticular formation run through?

A

The brainstem.

81
Q

What does the reticular formation control?

A

Consciousness.

82
Q

True or false? The brainstem has a similar structure to that of the rest of the brain.

A

False. The brainstem is a structurally distinct area of the brain.

83
Q

What does the medulla control?

A

The medulla controls very basic functions such as breathing and heart-rate.

84
Q

What does the pons control?

A

The pons has indistinct roles in consciousness and posture.

85
Q

What does the midbrain control?

A

Eye movements and auditory systems.

86
Q

Describe the structure of the cerebellum.

A

The cerebellum consists of two mounds of folded tissue posterior to the brainstem to which it is connected by three peduncles (bands of neurons resembling a stalk) of neural tissue.

87
Q

What are the functions of the cerebellum?

A

The cerebellum is concerned mainly with motor functions. It also plays a vital role in motor learning as all motor skills are stored in cerebellar memory.

88
Q

What inputs does the cerebellum recieve?

A

It receives inputs from ascending sensory pathways from the body and descending motor pathways from the cerebrum and other information from the brainstem.

89
Q

What area is the midbrain located in?

A

The midbrain.

90
Q

Why are the components of the brainstem grouped together?

A

This is a structural grouping as these three areas form part of the brain that is structurally very distinct from the forebrain or the cerebellum.

91
Q

What happens when information is processed by the cerebellum?

A

The cerebellum modifies movements to make them appropriate to our surroundings.

92
Q

Define the function of the thalamus?

A

The thalamus is a relay point where all inputs to the cerebrum synapse before ascending to the cerebral cortex.

93
Q

What is the main function of the hypothalamus?

A

Homeostasis.

94
Q

Most of the volume of the cerebral hemispheres consist of which type of matter?

A

White matter.

95
Q

Which matter of the cerebral hemispheres contains the cell bodies of neurons?

A

Grey matter.

96
Q

Which matter of the cerebral hemispheres contains the axons of neurons?

A

White matter.

97
Q

Where does grey matter exist in the brain?

A

On the surface of the hemispheres.

98
Q

What are the functions of the cerebral cortex?

A
  • Intelligence
  • Personality
  • Interpretation of Sensory Impulses
  • Motor Function
  • Planning and Organisation
  • Touch Sensation
99
Q

Why is the surface of the cerebrum highly folded or convoluted?

A

The convolutions of the surface of the hemispheres increases their surface area therefore increasing the amount of grey matter that is present.

100
Q

Define Sulci.

A

Infoldings of the brain. They are often used to demarcate (mark the boundary of) different functional areas.

101
Q

Define Gyri.

A

Sticky out bits between sulci. These are areas of functional grey matter. Adjacent gyri may have very different functions.

102
Q

What are the functions of the Frontal lobe?

A

Integrated brain functions such as planning. Also involved in the appreciation of emotional responses.

103
Q

What are the functions of the Parietal lobe?

A

Movement, orientation and some recognition.

104
Q

What are the functions of the Occipital lobe?

A

Mainly involved with the visual cortex.

105
Q

What are the functions of the Temporal lobe?

A

Integrating sound and speech, forming memories.

106
Q

What are the functions of the Pre central gyrus?

A

Movement.

107
Q

What are the functions of the Post central gyrus?

A

Somatosensory inputs (touch, pain, temperature and proprioception).

108
Q

Name the layer of tissue that physically separates the CNS from the rest of the body.

A

Meninges.

109
Q

Within the meninges what fluid is the CNS bathed in?

A

Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (CSF).

110
Q

What cushions the brain and protects it from damage?

A

The combination of the meninges and CSF.

111
Q

What produces Cerebro-Spinal Fluid?

A

Choroid plexus (specialised epithelium).

112
Q

How does CSF differ from plasma?

A

CSF has a higher concentration of Na, Cl and Mg but has a lower concentration of cells, proteins and other ions.

113
Q

Where is CSF reabsorbed into the venous circulation?

A

At specialised points called arachnoid granulations.

114
Q

What is the name for cavities within the brain?

A

Ventricles.

115
Q

What links ventricles within the brain?

A

Passageways called aqueducts.

Human Anatomy (7 decks)

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