Neural Terminology Flashcards
What does the CNS consist of?
brain and spinal cord
What are the major subdivisions of the brain?
forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain
What are the major subdivisions of the spinal cord?
cervical thoracic, lumbar, sacral
What does the PNS consist of?
somatic and automatic nervous system
What does the somatic nervous system responsible for?
conveys information between body and CNS
What is the automatic nervous system responsible for?
controls involuntary muscles
What are the subdivisions of the automatic nervous system?
parasympathetic and sympathetic
What are neurons?
messenger cells
What are dendrites?
main input component of neurons
What is the soma?
the genetic component of the cell
What is the axon?
the out put component of neurons
What are the dendritic spines?
sites for synaptic contact
What are the axon terminals?
sites for neurotransmitter release
What is the nucleus?
a group of related neurons in the CNS
What is the ganglion?
a group of neurons in the PNS
What is gray matter?
neurons and other cells
What is white matter?
bundles of myelinated axons
What is the cortex?
the neural tissue of the brain
What is laminae?
the horizontal layers of related cells in cortex of the brain
What are columns?
they are vertical columns of related cells in cortex of brain
What is anterior/rostral?
toward the front or toward the head
What is posterior/caudal?
toward the back or toward the tail
What is superior?
on top of
What is inferior?
on bottom of
What is dorsal?
toward top or back
What is ventral?
toward bottom or belly
What is contralateral?
opposite side
What is lateral?
toward side
What is medial?
toward middle
What is ipsilateral?
same side
What is proximal?
relatively close
What is distal?
relatively far
What are coronal or frontal planes?
a cut that is perpendicular to the midline and horizontal plane
What is a saggittal plane?
a cut parallel to the midline
What is the horizontal plane?
a cut perpendicular to the coronal plane and parallel to the ground
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
executive function
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
sensory processing
