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BDS1 BAMS: Nervous System > Nervous System Overview > Flashcards

Nervous System Overview Flashcards

1
Q

What are the functions of the nervous system?

A
  • Communication
  • Regulating internal events
  • Organising behaviour (external)
  • Information storage (memory)
  • Sensations, perceptions, emotions
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2
Q

Which cells make up the nervous system?

A

Neurons and glial cells

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3
Q

Which cells are more numerous in the nervous system: glial cells or neurons?

A

Glial cells

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4
Q

What is the role of glial cells?

A
  • Supportive nutritive role
  • Responsible for myelin formation
  • Schwann cells (peripheral NS)
  • Oligodendrocytes (central NS)
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5
Q

What is the role of astrocytes?

A

Nutrition (nutrient supply to neurons in CNS)

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6
Q

What is the role of microglia?

A

Defence role

Phagocytic

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7
Q

What is the role of ependymal cells?

A

Involves in production of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)

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8
Q

What is the role of oligodendrocytes?

A

Neuronal support and myelin formation in CNS

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9
Q

What is the role of Schwann cells?

A

Neuronal support and myelin formation in PNS

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10
Q

Name 5 types of glial cells

A
  • Astrocytes
  • Microglia
  • Ependymal cells
  • Schwann cells
  • Oligodendrocytes
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11
Q

What are neurons?

A
  • Excitable cells
  • Generate and transmit signals
  • Make connections through synapses
  • Synaptic processing, memory
  • Structure is related to function
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12
Q

What is the peripheral nervous system composed of?

A

Spinal nerves, cranial nerves

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13
Q

What is the central nervous system composed of?

A

Brain and spinal cord

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14
Q

Where do sensory pathways bring information from/to?

A

From periphery to CNS via afferent nerves

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15
Q

What are the 2 subtypes of afferent nerves?

A

Somatic afferents (conscious info), visceral afferents (non-conscious info)

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16
Q

Where do motor pathways bring information from/to?

A

From CNS to the periphery via efferent nerves

17
Q

What are the 2 subtypes of efferent nerves?

A

Somatic efferent and visceral efferents (autonomic nervous system)

18
Q

How many pairs of spinal cord nerves are there?

A

31

19
Q

What are the 31 pairs of spinal cord nerves (broadly)?

A 
8 Cervical Nerves
12 Thoracic Nerves 
5 Lumbar Nerves 
5 Sacral Nerves 
1 Coccygeal Nerves
20
Q

What type of axons does each spinal cord nerve contain?

A

Sensory and motor axons

21
Q

Axons of each sensory nerve supply structures in a well-defined part of the body surface. What are these regions termed?

A

Dermatomes

22
Q

What is a myotome?

A

A group of muscles that a single spinal nerve innervates

23
Q

Motor axons supply blocks of muscle called ________

A

Myotomes

24
Q

What is a nerve plexus?

A

A plexus of intersecting nerves

Composed of afferent and efferent fibres

25
Q

How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

A

12

26
Q

What do cranial nerves do?

A

Provide sensory and motor nerve supply to head and neck structures

27
Q

Where is the vagus nerve (CN X) distributed?

A

To the trunk

28
Q

Which cranial nerves contain autonomic nerve fibres?

A

CN 3, 7, 9 10

29
Q

Which 3 layers of a nerve cell does anaesthetic need to penetrate?

A

Epineurium, perineurium, endoneurium

30
Q

Lidocaine is amphiphilic. What does this mean?

A

Has both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts

31
Q

What are afferent signals in somatic nerves associated with?

A

Sensations/perceptions

32
Q

What do ‘somatic’ efferents control?

A

Voluntary muscle

33
Q

What do ‘visceral’ efferents constitute?

A

The automatic nervous system (smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, some glands)

34
Q

Describe A-alpha neurons

A

Myelinated
Some sensory neurons
Motor neurons

35
Q

Describe A-beta neurons

A

Myelinated

Sensory neurons

36
Q

Describe A-gamma neurons

A

Myelinated

A special form of motor neuron

37
Q

Describe A-delta neurons

A

Sensory neurons

38
Q

Describe C neurons

A

Sensory neurons

Some autonomic nerves

39
Q

Why is local anaesthetic often used in conjunction with a vasoconstrictor?

A

Local anaesthetic works for a longer time if you reduce the amount of blood vessels in that area

BDS1 BAMS: Nervous System (4 decks)

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