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IMSK > Nervous Tissue > Flashcards

Nervous Tissue Flashcards

1
Q

what are the 2 subdivisions of the nervous system?

A

peripheral and central

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2
Q

what makes up the central nervous system? (2)

A

brain and spinal cord

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3
Q

what are the 2 divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

A

autonomic and somatic

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4
Q

what are the 2 divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

A

sympathetic and parasympathetic

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5
Q

what is the autonomic nervous system used to motor? (3)

A
  1. cardiac muscle
  2. smooth muscle
  3. glands
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6
Q

what does the somatic nervous system motor?

A

voluntary skeletal muscle

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7
Q

what is the function of the sympathetic division of the autonomic peripheral nervous system?

A

active and alert

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8
Q

what is the function of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic peripheral nervous system?

A

rest and digest

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9
Q

what are the 3 components of the peripheral nervous system?

A
  1. cranial nerves
  2. spinal nerves
  3. associated nerve roots and ganglia
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10
Q

what components make up the autonomic nervous system?

A

motor ganglia and the nerves that innervate viscera

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11
Q

what components make up the somatic nervous system?

A

motor nerves that innervate skeletal muscle

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12
Q

what is nervous tissue composed of?

A

nerve cells (neurons) and their supportive cells (glial cells)

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13
Q

how are nerve cell bodies (neurons) often found? what are these called in the CNS and PNS?

A

nerve cell bodies (neurons) are often found in clusters or groups that have common functions;
groups of neurons in CNS: nuclei
groups of neurons in PNS: ganglia

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14
Q

what is a nerve fiber?

A

a single axon

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15
Q

what is a peripheral nerve?

A

a bundle of nerve fibers (axons) surrounded by their CT sheaths

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16
Q

what is all nervous tissue surrounded by?

A

connective tissue

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17
Q

what is an organized collection of axons called in the CNS?

A

tract

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18
Q

what is an organized collection or axons called in the PNS?

A

nerve

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19
Q

what 2 types of fibers does every nerve have?

A

motor and sensory fibers

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20
Q

what are the 2 types of nervous tissue in the CNS?

A

white matter and grey matter

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21
Q

describe white matter

A

nervous tissue consisting mainly of axons and their myelin sheaths

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22
Q

describe grey matter

A

nervous tissue consisting mainly of nerve cells bodies (neurons) and unmyelinated axons (nerve fibers)

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23
Q

what are the 3 basic autonomical classifications of neurons?

A
  1. unipolar (pseudounipolar)
  2. bipolar
  3. multipolar
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24
Q

describe the structure of unipolar (pseudounipolar) neurons

A

nerve cell body gives off a single axon that bifurcates into a central and a peripheral branch

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25
Q

what is the function of unipolar (pseudounipolar) neurons?

A

afferent neurons that convey sensory information TO the CNS

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26
Q

where are unipolar (pseudounipolar) neurons found?

A

found in sensory ganglia located in specific cranial nerves and in the dorsal roots of all spinal nerves

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27
Q

describe the structure of bipolar neurons

A

nerve cell body gives off two processes

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28
Q

describe the function of bipolar neurons

A

like unipolar, are afferent neurons that convey sensory information to the CNS

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29
Q

where are bipolar neurons found (3)/associated with?

A

associated with special senses, so found in
1. visual retina
2. olfactory epithelium
3. ganglia of vestibulocochlear nerve (used for balance and hearing)

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30
Q

describe the structure of multipolar neurons

A

nerve cell body gives off many dendrites and an axon

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31
Q

what is the most common type of axon based on anatomical classification?

A

multipolar

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32
Q

describe the function of multipolar neurons (2)

A
  1. are motor neurons that carry signals AWAY from the CNS
  2. are also interneurons that connect sensory neurons to spinal motor neurons
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33
Q

what are the 3 groups of neurons based on function?

A
  1. sensory
  2. motor
  3. interneuron
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34
Q

describe sensory neurons

A

Afferent neurons that transmit sensory impulses TO the CNS

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35
Q

describe motor neurons

A

Efferent neurons that transmit motor impulses away from the CNS

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36
Q

describe interneurons

A

neurons that transmit impulses between neurons; connect sensory Afferent neurons to Efferent motor neurons OR with the next neuron in a chain

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37
Q

define neurons (3)

A
  1. nerve cells
  2. the structural and function units of the nervous system
  3. highly specialized/modified cells which are capable of receiving and transmitting stimuli, often involving sensory transduction
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38
Q

what is sensory transduction?

A

converting a physical or chemical sensory stimulus into an electric signal that results in neuronal activity

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39
Q

what are the 2 parts of neurons?

A
  1. cell body (also called soma or perikaryon)
  2. neuronal processes
40
Q

describe the size and shape of cell bodies of neurons

A

highly variable based on type

41
Q

describe the nucleus of neurons (2)

A
  1. typically large, centrally located, and euchromatic
  2. nucleolus is large and can be mistaken for nucleus!
42
Q

describe the cytoplasm of neurons

A

typically highly granular and basophilic due to chromatophilic substance (Nissl substance)

43
Q

what is Nissl substance?

A

the chromatophilic substance that makes cytoplasm of neurons highly granular and basophilic

44
Q

what can be found in the cytoplasm of neurons? (3)

A
  1. rough ER
  2. polyribosomes
  3. free ribosomes
45
Q

is there cytoplasm in the axon hillock and the axon of a neuron?

46
Q

why do neurons have abundant cytoplasm with abundant protein/ribosomes?

A

nerve cells can turnover >30% of their protein in a single day

47
Q

what are the 2 neuronal processes of neurons?

A
  1. dendrites
  2. axon
48
Q

what are dendrites? (2)

A
  1. the input region of a neuron where excitation is received
  2. extensions of the nerve cell body designed to receive synaptic contacts from other neurons
49
Q

what do dendrites contain? compare to axons?

A

contain Nissl substance and generally much shorter than axons, which DO NOT contain Nissl substance

50
Q

what are axons?

A

long cytoplasmic projections which conduct excitation between the dendritic and telodedritic zones

51
Q

what is the axon hillock?

A

the part of the cell body where the axon begins

52
Q

what are 2 other names for neuroglia?

A

glial cells or gliocytes

53
Q

what are neuroglia/glial cells/gliocytes?

A

a network of specialized cells (neural glue) that not only form a support structure for the neurons but also perform vital roles in neural development, activity, and injury recovery

54
Q

what are the 2 glial cells of the PNS?

A
  1. ganglionic gliocytes (satellite cells)
  2. neurolemmocytes (Schwann cells)
55
Q

describe ganglionic gliocytes/satellite cells of the PNS

A

form a protective capsule around neuron cell bodies in cranial and spinal nerve (sensory) ganglia

56
Q

describe neurolemmocytes/Schwann cells of the PNS

A

ensheath or myelinate axons

57
Q

what are the 3 parts of myelinated axons?

A
  1. myelin
  2. neurokeratin
  3. nerve fiber nodes (nodes of Ranvier)
58
Q

describe how axons are myelinated

A

an individual neurolemmocyte wraps itself around a portion of an axon in a jelly roll or cinnabon fashion, forming concentric rings of modified plasma membrane that constitute the myelin sheath

59
Q

how many neurolemmocytes are required to myelinate an axon? why?

A

many; because and individual neurolemmocyte is <1mm in length

60
Q

what accounts for the pale staining quality of peripheral nerves in the white matter of the CNS?

A

the high concentration of lipid in the myelin sheath

61
Q

what is neurokeratin?

A

routine tissue processing extracts most of the lipid from the myelin, leaving behind neurokeratin protein which takes up stains and makes myelinated axons look lacy or moth eaten (kind of like elastic cartilage tbh)

62
Q

what are nerve fiber nodes (nodes of Ranvier)?

A

breaks in the continuity between adjacent neurolemmocytes in myelinated axons, although axons remain uninterrupted

63
Q

what are unmyelinated axons also called?

A

enclosed or ensheathed

64
Q

are unmyelinated axons truly unmyelinated?

A

no! in the case of small axons, a single neurolemmocyte will form a protective enclosure around multiple axons, but not jelly roll wrap them

65
Q

what are the 4 glial cells of the CNS?

A
  1. astrocytes/astroglial cells
  2. oligodendrocytes/oligodendroglia
  3. microglia
  4. ependymal cells
66
Q

describe astrocytes (3)

A
  1. ID’d by their large euchromatic nuclei (larges of all glial cells but not as large ar interneurons!)
  2. located in both white and grey matter
  3. of their many important functions, contribute to the blood brain barrier
67
Q

describe oligodendrocytes (3)

A
  1. ID’d by their round euchromatic nuclei with thick nuclear envelope (eyeliner)
  2. in white matter: forms myelin sheaths but myelinates multiple axons
  3. in grey matter: serves are a perineuronal satellite cell, providing support to nearby neurons
68
Q

describe microglia (2)

A
  1. small, heterochromatic, cigar-shaped nucleus on sagittal section surrounded by scant cytoplasm
  2. macrophages of the CNS
69
Q

describe ependymal cells

A

specialized neuroglial cells that line the central canal of the spinal cord and the 4 ventricles of the brain

70
Q

describe ependymal cells in the ventricles of the brain

A

modified ependymal cells fuse to pia mater and form the choroid plexus; simple cuboidal

71
Q

describe ependymal cells in the choroid plexus

A

in close contact wit the capillaries of pia mater, from which blood plasma is filtered and altered to form cerebrospinal fluid!

72
Q

do all ependymal cells secrete cerebrospinal fluid?

A

no! only those in the choroid plexus of the brain (simple cuboidal)

73
Q

what is CNS connective tissue also called?

74
Q

what are the meninges?

A

3 layers of connective tissue sheaths completely surrounding the brain, spinal cord, and spinal roots

75
Q

what is found between the arachnoid and the pia matter? what is its function?

A

cerebrospinal fluid; supplies nutrients, removes waste, and cushions during trauma

76
Q

describe the dura mater (3)

A
  1. outer most meninge, very tough covering (TOUGH MOTHER)
  2. dense regular to irregular CT
  3. thick collagen bundles with elastic fibers
77
Q

what does the dura mater contain? (3)

A

blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves

78
Q

what are the 2 laminae of the cranial (skull) dura mater?

A
  1. outer lamina fused to periosteum, no epidural space
  2. dural venous sinuses located between the two laminae; which are otherwise fused
79
Q

describe the dura mater of the vertebral column

A

periosteum is not fused to dura mater, so there is a space between the 2 CT layers that becomes fat filled and can be used to deposit anesthetic

80
Q

describe the arachnoid (2)

A
  1. deep to the dura mater
  2. consists of a distinct outer membrane of fibrocytes called the arachnoid membrane, with many fine fibrous trabeculae (arachnoid trabeculae) that radiate outward from its inner surface and act as a supportive framework for the subarachnoid space where CSF flows
81
Q

describe the pia mater (2)

A
  1. tightly adherent to the surface of the brain and spinal cord
  2. highly vascular layer that surrounds all small vessels traveling in the sulci and fissures to penetrate and supply the nervous tissue
82
Q

describe the PNS connective tissue (2)

A
  1. surrounds the peripheral nerves (like the radial nerve)
  2. similar to skeletal muscle CT
83
Q

list and describe the 3 layers of PNS connective tissue

A
  1. endoneurium: strands of collagenous fibers and CT matrix that occupy space between individual, adjacent nerve fibers (axons)
  2. perineurium: CT fibers arranged chiefly longitudinally interposed between bundles of nerve fibers (fascicles)
  3. epineurium: thicker layers of longitudianlly arranged collagen and matrix surrounding nerve trunks (around groups of fascicles)
84
Q

describe the blood brain barrier (structure and function)

A
  1. a filter that regulates the movement of molecules from blood to the brain
  2. endothelial cells of the brain capillaries have occluding/tight junctions and continuous basement membranes, additionally surrounded by/fortified by the foot processes of the astrocytes
85
Q

describe the spinal cord, generally

A

part of the CNS, surrounded by meninges

86
Q

describe grey and white matter of the spinal cord

A

grey matter is dee and surrounded by superficial white matter (Opposite of CNS)

87
Q

what does the spinal cord have to communicate with what part of the brain?

A

central canal communicates with the 4th ventricle of the brain

88
Q

describe the nerves of the spinal cord

A

spinal nerves on both sides that separate into dorsal and ventral roots between the cord and the intervertebral foramina

89
Q

what do dorsal roots house? what about ventral roots?

A

dorsal roots house the sensory dorsal root ganglia; ventral roots do not have ganglia

90
Q

describe the white matter of the spinal cord (2)

A
  1. contains axons that are both afferent and efferent
  2. subdivided into columns that contain axon tracts (groups)
91
Q

describe the afferent axons of the white matter of the spinal cord

A

ascending, transmit sensory info to the brain and brainstem

92
Q

describe the efferent axons of the white matter of the spinal cord

A

descending, relaying motor information from the brain or brainstem to muscles and glands

93
Q

describe the grey matter of the spinal cord

A

subdivided into dorsal, lateral, and ventral horns

94
Q

describe the dorsal horn of the grey matter of the spinal cord

A

houses the interneuron cell bodies; afferent sensory neuron fibers synapse on the interneurons

95
Q

describe the ventral horn of the grey matter of the spinal cord

A

houses motor neuron cell bodies; interneurons synapse on the motor neurons, which send efferent axons out to innervate muscles (somatic motor) and glands (autonomic motor)

96
Q

describe lateral horns of grey matter of the spinal cord

A

primarily located in the thoracic cord; contain the cell bodies of the autonomic motor neurons that will synapse on a second neuron in the sympathetic ganglia

97
Q

describe the spinal reflex

A

this is a placeholder if this becomes relevant

IMSK (17 decks)

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