Nervous System Unit Flashcards
CNS and what it is comprised of
The CNS is the main centre for the entire nervous system. It is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. It is the site of neural integration and processing
Myelinated neurons
Myelinated neutrons form white matter, which forms the inner region of the brain and the other area of the spinal cord.
Unmyelinated neurons
Unmyelinated neurons form grey matter. The grey matter is found around the outside areas of the brain and forms the H-shaped core of the spinal cord.
The spinal cord
extends out of the skull from the brain and downward through a canal within the backbone. The spinal cord is the primary reflex centre.
Sensory and motor nerves
are found within the spinal cord
The tissues of the spine are protected by
The tissues of the spine are protected by cerebrospinal fluid, soft layer tissues, and the spinal column (vertebrae).
Injury to the spinal cord can result in
paralysis
How many cells does the brain consist of?
100 billion cells
Main role of the brain?
Maintain homeostasis. It is protected by the skull and the meninges (composed of three layers of tough, elastic tissue)
The blood-brain barrier
formed by glial cells, endothelial cells, and blood vessels. It separates the blood from the CNS and controls the entrance of substances into the brain from the blood.
Lipid-soluble (fat soluble) substances
(caffeine, nicotine, alcohol) have rapid effects on brain function because they are able to pass directly through the blood-brain barrier
The cerebrospinal fluid
The cerebrospinal fluid is a dense, clear liquid that transports hormones, white blood cells, and nutrients across the blood-brain barrier to the cells of the brain. It also acts as a shock absorber by circulating between two layers of meninges.
Cerebral cortex
Mass of white matter and a thin, outer covering of grey matter in each half of the cerebrum
Corpus callosum
Connects the right and left halves. Sends messages from one hemisphere to another.
The right-brain is associated with
holistic and intuitive thinking, visual-spatial skills, and artistic abilities
The left-brain is associated with
sequential and logical ways of thinking, and linguistic/ mathematical skills
Each side of your brain consists of four lobes:
frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital love and temporal lobe
The frontal love is involved with
movement, decision-making, problem solving, and planning
The parietal lobe is involved in
the reception and processing of sensory information from the body
The occipital lobe is
the main centre for visual processing
The temporal lobe is involved with
memory, emotion, hearing and language
Cerebellum
Walnut-shaped. It is involved in the unconscious coordination of posture, reflexes, and body movements, as well as fine, voluntary motor skills.
Medula oblongata
It coordinates many reflexes and automatic bodily functions that maintain homeostasis, including heart rate, constriction or dilation of blood vessels, and the rate and depth of breathing, swallowing, and coughing.
Pons
Pons serves as a relay centre between the neutrons of the right and left halves of the brain.
Midbrain
Involved in processing information from sensory neutrons in the eyes, ears, and nose.
Thalamus
“the great relay station” of the brain
Hypothalamus
Helps regulate the body’s internal environment
Cerebrum
Contains the centres for intellect, learning and memory, consciousness, and language.
The peripheral nervous system refers
to all the neutrons that lead to and from the CNS