Nervous System and Nerves Flashcards
What is the Nervous System?
Well organized system that is responsible for coordinating many activities performed by the body
What are Neurons?
Nerve cells
What is the name for the study of the Nervous System?
Neurology
What are the 3 parts within the Nervous System?
Central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS), and autonomic nervous system (ANS)
What does the Central Nervous System do?
Consists of the brain, spinal cord/nerves and cranial nerves. Controls consciousness and many mental activities, involuntary functions (seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling and tasting) and voluntary muscle actions
What does the Peripheral Nervous System do?
System of nerves that connects the peripheral (outer) parts of the body to the CNS. Has both sensory and motor nerves
What does the Autonomic Nervous System do?
Controls the involuntary muscles; regulates the action of smooth muscles, glands, blood vessels, heart and breathing
What is the Brain?
Largest and most complex mass of nerve tissue in the body. Weighs 3lbs and has 12 cranial nerves. Controls sensation, muscles and glandular activity
What is the Brain Stem?
Connects the spinal cord to the brain. Regulates functions such as breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure
What is the Spinal Cord?
Continuation of brain stem
What are Nerves?
Whitish cords made up of bundles of nerve fibers
What are the 2 types of Nerves?
Sensory and motor nerves
What are Sensory Nerves?
They carry impulses/messages from the sense organs to the brain
What are Receptors?
Sensory nerve endings and are located close to the surface of the skin
What are Motor Nerves?
They carry impulses from the brain to the muscles/glands
What is a Reflex?
Automatic nerve reaction to a stimulus
What are the nerves of the Arm and Hand?
Median, ulnar, radial and digitial
What is the Median nerve?
Smaller sensory-motor nerve than the ulnar and radial nerves; with it’s branches it supplies the arm and hand
What is the Ulnar nerve?
Sensory-motor nerve that with it’s branches affects the little-finger side of the arm and palm of hand
What is the Radial nerve?
Sensory-motor nerve that with it’s branches supplies the thumb side of the arm and back of hand
What is the Digital nerve?
Sensory-motor nerve that with it’s branches supplies the fingers
What is the 10th Cranial nerve?
AKA Vagus nerve. Helps regulate the heart, breathing and digestion. Only nerve that “wanders” away from the head and neck and goes all the way down to abdominal region
