Nervous system - general knowledge Flashcards
Four Major Nerve Plexuses formed by the spinal nerves?
Cervical Plexus
Brachial Plexus
Lumbar Plexus
Lumbosacral Plexus
What does the cervical plexus innervate and which spinal nerves does it include?
muscles of the neck, C1-C4
What does the brachial plexus innervate and which spinal nerves does it include?
muscles of the shoulder and upper limbs, C5-T1 (sometimes C4 and T2)
What does the lumbar plexus innervate and which spinal nerves does it include?
muscles of the anterior and medial thigh, L1-L4 (sometimes T12)
What does the lumbosacral plexus innervate and which spinal nerves does it include?
muscles of the buttock, pelvis, perineum and lower limbs, L4-S4
What are the functions of the nervous system?
- enable body to react to changes in internal and external environment
- control and integrate various body activities
What are the structural divisions of the Nervous system?
- Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Define Central Nervous system
- consists of brain and spinal cord
- functions to integrate and coordinate
- carries out higher mental functions such as thinking and learning
Define Peripheral Nervous system
- consists of everything but brain and spinal cord
- conducts pulses to or away from the CNS
What are the functional divisions of the nervous system?
- somatic nervous system (SNS)
- autonomic nervous system (ANS)
What is the composition of a nerve fiber?
- axon
- neurolemma
- surrounding connective tissue
What are the two forms of neurolemma?
- myelinated
- unmyelinated
What is the composition of a nerve?
- bundle of nerve fibers
- connective tissue binding/covering nerve fibers and fascicles together
- blood vessels that nourish nerve fibers and their coverings
What is a ganglion?
a collection of neuron cell bodies that can be motor or sensory
What are the two types of nerve fibers?
- afferent (sensory) fibers - are affected by stimulus
- efferent (motor) fibers - cause an effect to occur
What is the function of afferent nerve fibers?
convey impulses to the CNS from sensory receptors (found in the skin) or sensory organs (eyes)
What is the function of efferent nerve fibers?
convey impulses from the CNS to effector organs (muscles, glands)
What are cranial nerves?
nerves that exit cranial cavity via foramina in the cranium
What are spinal nerves?
nerves that arise in bilateral pairs from a segment of the spinal cord and exit the vertebral column vis vertebral foramen (except spinal n. C1 which exists above C1 vertebrae, sacral and coccygeal nerves)
How many spinal nerves are there?
31 pairs
- 8 cervical
- 12 spinal
- 5 lumbar
- 5 sacral
- 1 coccygeal
How to spinal nerves arise?
as ventral and dorsal rootlets that converge to form two nerve roots (dorsal and ventral) that unite within or proximal to vertebral foramen to form a mixed spinal nerve that immediately divides into two arms (rami)
What are the different types of spinal nerve roots?
- ventral (anterior) nerve root
- dorsal (posterior) nerve root
Define ventral (anterior) nerve root
consists of motor fibers from cell bodies in the anterior horn of the spinal cord to effector organs located peripherally
Define dorsal (posterior) nerve root
consists of sensory fibers from cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) that extend peripherally to sensory endings and centrally to posterior horn of spinal cord
What are the two rami of mixed spinal nerves?
- dorsal primary rami (DPR)
- ventral primary rami (VPR)