Nervous System Flashcards
Central nervous System (CNS)
The division of the nervous system comprising the brain and the spinal cord. Its primary function is to coordinate the activity of all parts of the body.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The portion of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal cord. The primary function is to connect the CNS to the limbs and organs, serving as a communication relay with the rest of the body.
Neuron
The functional unit of the nervous system
*Comprised of the cell body, axon, and dendrites
Efferent Neuron
Motor neurons that send a message for muscles to contract. The effect/cause movement
Afferent Neuron
Nerve impulses that move toward the spinal cord and brain from the periphery of the body and are sensory in nature.
Mechanoreceptors
Sensory receptors responsible for sensing distortion in body tissues.
Joint receptors
Receptors in and around a joint that respond to pressure, acceleration, and deceleration of the joint.
Proprioception
The cumulative sensory input to the CNS from all mechanoreceptors that sense body and limb movement
Neuromuscular Efficiency
When the neuromuscular system allows agonist, antagonists, and stabilizers to produce muscle actions in all 3 planes of motion.
Motor Unit
The functional unit of the neuromuscular system. Consisting of the alpha motor neuron and the muscle fibers it activates,
Motor Control
How the CNS integrates internal and external sensory info with pervious experiences to produce a motor response.
Motor Learning
The integration of motor control processes with practice and experience that leads to relatively permanent changes in the body’s capacity to produce skilled movements.
Motor development
The change in motor skill behavior over time throughout the lifespan.
