Nervous System 2 - 5b Flashcards by Olivia Ruddick

What are the protective structures surrounding the brain and spinal cord?

Cranium (skull)
Vertebrae (spine)
Meninges (Dura mater, Arachnoid mater, Pia mater)
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Blood-brain barrier

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What is the function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

Provides mechanical protection, circulation of nutrients and waste, and maintains homeostasis.

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How is blood supplied to and from the brain?

Supplied via internal carotid and vertebral arteries
Drained primarily by internal jugular veins

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What forms the blood-brain barrier?

Astrocytes forming tight junctions between blood capillaries and brain tissue.

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What is a ganglion?

A collection of neuron cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

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What is a nucleus (in CNS)?

A group of neuron cell bodies in the central nervous system.

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What is the difference between nerves and tracts?

Nerves = bundles of axons in the PNS
Tracts = bundles of axons in the CNS

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What is the difference between white and grey matter in the CNS?

White matter: myelinated axons
Grey matter: cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons

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What are the external features of the spinal cord?

Cylindrical shape
16–18 inches long, 1.5–2 cm in diameter
Cervical & lumbar enlargements
Conus medullaris
Cauda equina
Filum terminale
Spinal segments & spinal nerves

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What are the four major parts of the human brain?

Brainstem
Cerebellum
Diencephalon
Cerebrum

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What structures make up the brainstem?

Midbrain
Pons
Medulla oblongata
Reticular formation

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What are the pyramids and olives in the medulla?

Pyramids: corticospinal tracts for voluntary movement
Olives: nuclei involved in motor learning

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What is the function of the reticular formation?

RAS (Reticular Activating System): consciousness, alertness, arousal
Regulates muscle tone, heart rate, BP, and breathing

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Where is the cerebellum located?

Posterior to medulla, inferior to cerebrum

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What are the functions of the cerebellum?

Balance and posture
Coordination of movement
Integrates proprioceptive and vestibular info

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What structures are found in the diencephalon?

Thalamus (relay station)
Hypothalamus (ANS control, hormone production)
Pineal gland (melatonin, circadian rhythm)
Habenular nuclei (emotional responses to smell)

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Controls emotions and behavior
Regulates autonomic nervous system
Hormonal control via pituitary

What is the cerebrum responsible for?

Largest part of brain
Responsible for higher brain functions (thinking, memory, voluntary movement)

What are gyri and sulci?

Gyri = ridges
Sulci = grooves

Where is the insula located and what does it do?

Deep within the lateral sulcus; involved in autonomic functions, emotions, awareness, and homeostasis.

What does the basal ganglia do?

Controls voluntary motor movements
Suppresses unwanted movements
Regulates muscle tone

What is the function of the limbic system?

Emotional responses (pleasure, pain, anger)
Memory and smell integration

What are the 3 main functional areas of the cerebrum?

Sensory areas (perception)
Motor areas (voluntary movement)
Association areas (memory, emotion, reasoning)

How many cranial nerves are there?

12 pairs

What is the mnemonic for names of cranial nerves?

Only One Of The Two Athletes Felt Very Good, Victorious And Healthy

What is the mnemonic for the function of cranial nerves?

Some Say Marry Money, But My Brother Says Bright Brains Matter More

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

31 pairs (all mixed: sensory & motor)

What are the 5 major nerve plexuses?

Cervical (C1–C4): neck, head, diaphragm Brachial (C5–T1): shoulders, arms Lumbar (L1–L4): abdomen, genitals, lower limbs Sacral (L4–S4): buttocks, perineum, lower limbs Coccygeal (S4–Co1): skin of coccygeal region

What are the steps of a reflex arc?

Stimulus received by receptor Sensory neuron sends impulse to CNS Integration center processes Motor neuron sends response Effector acts (muscle/gland)

What does the autonomic nervous system regulate?

Involuntary activities (heart rate, digestion, respiration)

What are the two divisions of the ANS?

Sympathetic (fight or flight) Parasympathetic (rest and digest)

What is a ganglion?

A ganglion (plural: ganglia) is a collection of neuron cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system. You’ll hear this term most frequently with respect to the cranial nerves and spinal nerves.

What is a nucleus?

A nucleus (plural: nuclei) is a group of neuron cell bodies in the central nervous system. You’ll hear this term describing parts of the brain and spinal cord. | Note: This is the same word as the nucleus of the cell, meaning somethin

What is the diencephalon?

the central portion of the brain, extending from brainstem to cerebrum. It includes three major masses of grey matter: the thalamus, hypothalamus and epithalamus.

Parts of the cerebrum: Functional areas

Parts of the cerebrum: Limbic system

Hippocampus, amygdala and olfactory bulbs. It is responsible for regulating emotional responses such as pain, pleasure, affection, anger and grief. It is also involved in processing the sense of smell in relation to memory.

The cranial nerves: Overview