Neuro Flashcards
Neurons
Generate action potentials
Transmitter cells
Carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord.
Glial Cells
Support and protect neurons.
Do not generate action potentials but have a resting potential
CNS: Astrocytes, Microglia, Oligodendroglia, Ependymal cells.
PNS: Schwann Cells (myelin), Satellite cells
Produce cerebral spinal fluid.
Neurons can synapse with
neurons, muscle, glands
Synaptic Transmission
A small burst of neurotransmitters is released
The neurotransmitters stimulate or inhibit action potentials
Neurotransmitters
either destroyed by enzymes or reabsorbed
recycled for the next transmission
Electrical impulses
Info passed between neurons by chemicals
Can be excitatory or inhibitory
Along the axons, the information passes electrically
Neurons cont
Do not have the ability to divide
Losses due to aging or injury cannot be replaced
Not all cell death results in loss of functioning
Undamaged neurons in the brain will assume functions of damaged neurons (“plasticity”)
require constant oxygen and glucose supply
vulnerable to hypoxia and hypoglycemia
Myelin
Lipoprotein
Increases speed of conduction, large axons:
- Are “insulation”
- Prevent leakage of electric current
- Layers w/spaces (nodes of Ranvier) between cells
- Impulse “jumps” from node to node
“Unmyelinated” axons – smaller, slower
The Neurological System Consists of three main components
spinal cord, brain, peripheral nerves
Central Nervous system: Brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system: nerves
Peripheral nervous system
Autonomic nervous system: sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system and parasympathetic (rest and digest)
Somatic nervous system: sensory nerves and motor nerves
Cerebrum
includes lobes Frontal Parietal Occipital lobe Temporal lobe
Diencephalon
thalamus
hypothalamus
Cerebellum
balance and coordination
Brain stem
midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata
3 meninges
Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
Dura mater
outer, lines skull
Arachnoid mater
middle, contains blood vessels
Pia mater
inner, covers brain
3 potential spaces
epidural, subdural, subarachnoid
epidural
outside dura
subdural
between dura and arachnoid
subarachnoid
deep to arachnoid, filled with CSF
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Made in choroid plexuses (roofs of ventricles)
Filtration of plasma from capillaries through ependymal cells (electrolytes, glucose)
Cushions and nourishes brain
Useful for diagnosing meningitis, bleeds, MS
Hydrocephalus: excessive accumulation of CSF
Blood supply to the brain
Supplied by the internal carotid and vertebral arteries
Arterial circle (circle of Willis) helps ensure flow
800 to 1000 mL per minute
CO2 level affects CNS blood flow
Increases in CO2 will increase cerebral blood flow & arterial blood pressure.
Circle of Willis
Anterior Cerebral Artery, middle cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, lenticulostriate arteries
Anterior Cerebral artery
supplies frontal lobes
Middle Cerebral Artery
Artery-frontal lobe
& the lateral surface of the temporal and parietal lobe (includes motor, sensory, speech)
*Most frequently occluded artery in a stroke.
Posterior Cerebral Artery
temporal & occipital lobes of cerebral hemispheres.
Lenticulostriate arteries
small, deep penetrating arteries known as the lenticulostriate arteries branch from the middle cerebral artery
How does autoregulation of cerebral blood flow work?
The arteries that comprise the circle of Willis in the brain normally maintain a constant flow of blood within the brain
Autoregulation
means that the cerebral arteries constrict or dilate to keep the CPP between 50-150mmHg
CPP (cerebral perfusion pressure)
the pressure required to perfuse the brain with blood
MAP (mean arterial pressure)
it is the average blood pressure in the arteries. MAP is a more accurate way to measure “blood pressure” in the vessels.