Nervous System Overview Flashcards
what are the functions of the nervous system?
communication, regulating internal events, organising behaviour (external), information storage (memory), sensations, perceptions, emotions
what are the cells of the nervous system
neurons (nerve cells), glia (glial cells)
what are the functions of glia
supportive, nutritive role, myelin formation
which glial cells form the myelin sheath and in which system?
schwann cells (PNS), oligodendrocytes (CNS)
name the glial cells
oligodendrocytes, schwann cells, astrocytes, microglia and ependymal cells
what do astrocytes do?
involved in nutrient supply to neurons in CNS
what do microglia do?
defence role, phagocytic
what do ependymal cells do?
involved in production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
what do oligodendrocytes do?
neuronal support and myelin formation in CNS
what do schwann cells do?
neuronal support and myelin formation in PNS
what are the functions of neurons
generation and transmission of signals, synaptic processing: memory
what makes up the peripheral nervous system?
spinal nerves and cranial nerves
what makes up the central nervous system?
spinal cord and brain
what are the different sections of spinal nerves and how many of each do we have?
8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 1 coccygeal
what are dermatomes ?
the regions of the body surface that the sensory neurons supply
what are myotomes?
the blocks of muscles that motor neuron axons supply
what are the function of cranial nerves?
provide sensory and motor nerve supply to head and neck structures
what does the vagus nerve supple?
the trunk
what do peripheral nerves do?
carry information to and from the CNS
what do afferent nerves do
carry information to the CNS
what are afferent nerves?
sensory nerves
what are afferent nerves in somatic nerves associated with?
sensations/perceptions
what are efferent nerves?
motor nerves
what do efferent nerves do?
carry information away from the CNS and cause actions such as muscle contractions
what do somatic efferents control?
voluntary muscle
what do visceral efferents do?
constitute the autonomic nervous system
what does the autonomic nervous system control?
smooth and cardiac muscle and some glands
are A alpha axons myelinated? what types of neurons is this nerve axon?
myelinated, some sensory neurons and motor neurons
are A beta axons myelinated? what type of neuron is this axon
myelinated, sensory neurons
are A gamma axons myelinated? what type of neuron is this axon?
myelinted, special form of motor neuron
are A delta axons myelinated? what type of neuron is this axon?
myelinated, sensory neurons
are C axons myelinated? what type of neuron is this axon?
unmyelinated, sensory neurons and some autonomic nerves
