NERVOUS SYSTEM: SPINAL NERVES Flashcards
arise along the spinal cord from the union of the dorsal roots and ventral roots
spinal nerves
all the spinal nerves contain axons of both sensory and somatic motor neurons and thus called
mixed nerves
what are the regions of the vertebral column
cervical
thoracic
lumbar
sacral
coccygleal
the area of the skin supplied with sensory innervation by a pair of spinal nerves
dermatome
what are the three major plexuses
cervical plexus
brachial plexus
lumbosacral plexus
this small plexus supplies motor innervation to the muscles of the pelvic floor and sensory cutaneous innervation to the skin over the coccyx
coccygleal plexus
originates from the spinal nerves C1 to C4 ; branches from this plexus innervate several of the muscles attached to the hyoid bone
cervical plexus
one of the most important cervical plexus is the
phrenic nerve
originates from the C5 to T1 ; five major nerves emerge from the brachial plexus to supply the upper limb and shoulder
brachial plexus
innervates two shoulder muscles and the skin over part of the shoulder
axillary nerve
innervates all muscles in the posterior arm and forearm as well as the skin over the posterior surface of the arm, forearm, and hands
radial nerve
innervates the anterior muscles of the arm and the skin over the radial surface of the forearm
musculocutaneous nerve
innervates two anterior forearm muscles and most of the intrinsic hand muscles ; also innervates the skin over the ulnar side of the hand
ulnar nerve
innervates most of the anterior forearm muscles and some of the intrinsic hand muscles ; also innervates the skin over the radial side of the hand
median nerve
what are the 5 nerves that branch from the brachial plexus
median nerve
ulnar nerve
musculocutaneous nerve
radial nerve
axillary nerve
this plexus originates form the spinal nerves L1 to S4 ; four major nerves exit this plexus
lumbosacral plexus
nerve that innervates the muscles of the medial thigh and the skin over the same region
obturator nerve
nerve that innervates the anterior thigh muscles and the skin over the anterior thigh and medial side of the leg
femoral nerve
nerve that innervates the posterior thigh muscles , the anterior and posterior leg muscles, and most of the intrinsic foot muscles
tibial nerve
nerve that innervates the muscles of the lateral thigh and leg and some intrinsic foot muscles
common fibular nerve
the tibial and common fibular nerves are bound together within a connective tissue sheath and called
sciatic nerve
what are the major regions of the brain
brainstem
cerebellum
diencephalon
cerebrum
connects the spinal cord to the remainder of the brain ; contains several nuclei involved in vital body functions, such as control of the heart, blood pressure, and breathing
brainstem
three parts of the brainstem
medulla oblongata
pons
midbrain
the most inferior portion of the brainstem and is continuous with the spinal cord ; contains ascending and descending nerve tracts which convey signals to and from other regions of the brain
medulla oblongata
on the anterior surface of the medulla oblongata are two prominent enlargements called __ ; consists of descending nerve tracts which transmit action potentials from the brain to the somatic motor neurons
pyramids
immediately superior to the medulla oblongata is the __ ; contains ascending and descending nerve tracts as well as several nuclei
pons
superior to the pons, is the smallest region of the brainstem
midbrain
the dorsal part of the midbrain consists of four mounds of tissue called
colliculi
the two _ colliculi are major relay centers for the auditory nerve pathways in the CNS
inferior
the two _ colliculi are involved in visual reflexes and receive touch and auditory inout
superior
the midbrain also contains a black nuclear mass called the __ which is part of the basal nuclei
substantia nigra