Neuro Flashcards
What does white matter contain?
myelinated neurons
What does grey matter contain?
cell bodies no myelin sheath
What is the role of oligodendrocytes?
myelinate axons in the brain (CNS only)
What is the role of Schwann cells?
Myelinate axons in the rest of the body (PNS)
What are commissures?
tracts connecting one hemisphere to another = cross at the midline
what are fasciculi?
bundles of fibres
What is a capsule?
sheet of white matter fibre that borders a nucleus of grey matter
What are nuclei?
collection of nerve cell bodies within the CNS
What are ganglia?
collection of cell bodies outside the CNS
What is the role of the frontal lobe
- voluntary contralateral motor movement
- Frontal lobe of the dominant hemisphere contains Broca’s area: controls speech production and writing
- intellectual functioning, thought processes, reasoning and memory
What is the role of the parietal lobe?
- receives and interprets sensations, pain, touch, pressure and proprioception
- contains primary somatosensory cortex
What is the role of the temporal lobe?
- Contains primary auditory cortex
- Wernicke’s area in superior temporal gyrus
- Understanding of spoke word, emotion and memory
What is the role of the occipital lobe?
- Understanding visual images and the meaning of words
- Contains the primary visual cortex in the calcarine sulcus - stria of Gennari
What is the role of the thalamus?
relay centre and directs inputs to higher cortical areas
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
Links the endocrine system to the brain
- involved in homeostasis
What structures make up the basal ganglia?
The striatum: putamen and caudate nucleus.
- Globus pallidus: internal and external segments.
- Subthalamic nucleus.
- Substantia nigra.
What makes up the striatum?
Caudate+ Putamen
What makes up the lentiform nucleus?
Globus palladus+Putamen
Which artery supplies the basal ganglia nuclei?
Lenticulostriate artery
What is the role of the cerebellum?
Precise control, fine adjustment and coordination of motor activity based on continual sensory feedback. The cerebellum decides HOW you do something. It computes motor error and adjusts commands and projects it back to the motor cortex.
Name the connections of the cerebellum and name the parts of the midbrain they correspond to?
Superior cerebellar peduncle - midbrain
Middle cerebellar peduncle - pons
Inferior cerebellar peduncle - medulla
What structures lie anteriorly to the cerebellum?
The pons and medulla. The 4th ventricle lies in between these and the cerebellum.
What are some symptoms of the cerebellar injury?
DANISH
- dysdiadokinesia- inability to perform rapid alternating movements
- ataxia - no coordination of speech, balance and walking
- Nystagmus - random eye movements
- Intentional tremor
- Slurred speech
- hypotonia
Name the different parts of the midbrain
Tectum - contains superior and inferior colliculi
cerebral peduncle contains tegmentum and crus cerebri
tegmentum and crus cerebri separated by substantia nigra
What is the role of the pons?
acts as a bridge to the cerebellum
Name two cell types found in the CNS?
- nerve cells/neurons
- neuroglia
Name three neuroglia cells
- astrocytes
- oligodendrocytes
- microglia
What is the role of the hippocampus?
- part of limbic system
- episodic memory
- short term memory
- navigation
How do modern imaging techniques show neurally active brain regions?
- neurally active regions require more O2
- More blood flow to that area
- imaging can detect haemodynamic changes
Name four basic components of a neuron?
- Dendrites
- Cell body
- Axon
- Presynaptic terminal
What is the difference between a nerve fibre and a nerve?
Nerve fibre is a single axon and a nerve is a bundle of axons bound together by connective tissue
Where are the afferent cell bodies and the long axons situated?
- outside CNS
Where are the efferent cell bodies and the long axons situated?
- within CNS
what is the role of interneurons?
Connect neurons within the CNS
Lie entirely within the CNS
What is the composition of myelin?
70% lipid/30% protein
How many axons can each oligodendrocyte myelinate?
and how is this different to Schwann cells
as many as 40 axons
Schwann cells are only able to myelinate short segments of one axon
Where are myelinated axons commonly found?
Somatic nerves, sensory-motor systems and muscle/spinal systems
Where are unmyelinated axons commonly found?
Postganglionic autonomic fibres, where speed is not required
Name two ways in which glial cells support neurons?
- provide physical support
- provide metabolic support e.g pumping metabolic products into the neurons
Name two ways in which oligodendrocytes support the CNS
1) single oligodendrocyte can Myelinate up to 40 axons, rapid conduction
2) provide metabolic support by transporting metabolic products directly into axons
Name four ways in which astrocytes provide support to the neurons?
1) regulate the composition of extracellular fluid - remove Neurotransmitters and K+ ions around synapses
2) Stimulate the formation of tight junctions between the cells that make up the walls of capillaries found in the CNS - BBB
3) astrocytic end feet contribute to BBB
4) provide metabolic support - removes ammonia and provides glucose
Which is the most numerous glial cell in the CNS
Astrocytes
What is the role of radial glia?
Guiding developing neurons in the developing brain
What is the role of Muller glia?
Specialised radial glia of the retina
What is the role of Bergmann glia?
Found in the cerebellum - support Purkinje cells, dendrites and synapses
What is the role of microglia?
Specialised macrophage-like cells that perform immune functions in the CNS
Where are ependymal cells found?
in the ventricles and the spinal cord
What is the role of ependyma?
Provides a barrier between CSF and brain
- has cilia, microvilli and desmosomes
Name 4 things that contribute to the Blood-brain barrier?
- endothelial tight junctions
- pericytes
- astrocyte end feet
- continuous basement membrane (no fenestrations)
Where does CSF circulate?
through the subarachnoid space - offers protection for the brain
How many ventricles are there in the brain?
4 - lateral (paired) , 3rd and 4th
What connects the ventricles to the subarachnoid space?
Cisterns
Which cells produce CSF
ependymal cells - in the choroid plexus
What is the choroid plexus?
- modified ependymal cells
- form around a network of capillaries, large surface area
Where is CSF absorbed and what absorbs the CSF?
- in the Superior sagittal sinus
- Absorbed by arachnoid villi
- aggregation of arachnoid villi is called arachnoid granulations
How is the neuronal resting potential maintained?
3Na+ are pumped out of the cell for every 2K+ pumped in. This process requires ATP. There are many Na+/K+ transport pumps.
what is the range of membrane potentials in an action potential
-70mv to +30mv
What is the relative refractory period?
It follows the absolute refractory period and is a time during which a 2nd stimulus that is stronger than the first is needed to produce another AP.
What are the 2 components of a refractory period?
The absolute refractory period is followed by the relative refractory period.
What is the absolute refractory potential?
when the sodium channels are completely inactivated
no matter how strong the second stimuli there will not be a second action potential
what is the reason why we have refractory periods?
so individual electrical signals can be passed along the axon
Name two factors that determine the propagation speed
fibre diameter
myelination
Neurones communicate via 2 types of synapses. What are they?
- Chemical - majority.
2. Electrical.- rapid
Describe neurotransmitter release
Voltage-gated Calcium channels open when an action potential reaches the pre-synaptic membrane
- Ca2+ causes vesicles to move and fuse with the presynaptic membrane
- neurotransmitter released and diffuses to receptors
- attaches to receptors
- enzyme breaks down neurotransmitter - e.g acetylcholine esterase
Describe two effects of a neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic membrane
Excitatory channels cause depolarisation - much Na+ leaves and few K+ enter
Inhibitory channels lead to hyperpolarisation - much K+ leaves and many Cl- enters
Describe temporal summation
inputs from same presynaptic cell at different times - greater number of ion channels open
Describe spatial summation
Two inputs occur at different locations in the postsynaptic neurone
How do local anaesthetics work?
- Interupt axonal neurotransmission
- blocking sodium channels
- no action potentials
What are neurons that release Ach called?
cholinergic neurons
What is the major neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junctions?
Ach
Name two receptors that Ach bonds to
nicotinic
muscarinic
Where is dopamine commonly used?
Basal ganglia
What do antiparkinson drug contain?
L-DOPA which is the precursor for dopamine
What is the main excitatory and main inhibitory neurotransmitter?
excitatory - Glutamate
inhibitory - GABA
In which skull bone is the middle located?
temporal bone
which nerve provides sensation to the middle ear?
Glossopharyngeal
which tube equalises pressure between the inside and outside of the ear?
eustachian tube
Name the three bones in the inner ear which oscillate
Malleus, incus and stapes
what type of joints do the Malleus, stapes and incus have between them?
Synovial joints
Where does the stapes carry the vibrations too?
oval window
why is the force per area increased from the tympanic membrane
Oval window is much smaller then the tympanic membrane
Name two muscles in the ear along with attachment and innervation
Tensor tympani - attaches to malleus and innervated by mandibular branch of trigeminal
Stapedius - attachment to stapes and innervated by the facial nerve
can tensor tympani and stapedius protect the ear from sudden loud sounds?
No - only from continuous loud sounds
What is the cochlea?
it is a spiral shape
- coiled 2.5 times
- fluid-filled space
- in the temporal bone
what divides the cochlea lengthwise?
cochlear duct
What is the cochlear duct filled with?
endolymph - high concentration of K+ and low concentration of Na+
What is the scala vestibuli and scala tympani filled with
- Perilymph - high concentration of Na+ and low concentration of K+
What makes the scala vestibuli and scala tympani continous?
helicotrema - small deformity at end of the cochlea which allows pressure waves to move from SV to ST
What relieves the pressure in the cochlea?
Round window
Describe the base of the basilar membrane?
Narrow and stiff - sensitive to high frequencies of sound
Describe the apex of the basilar membrane
Wider and less stiff - sensitive to lower frequencies of sound
How do stapedius and tensor tympani change the stiffness of the ossicular chain?
They control the mobility of malleus and stapes and so protect the inner ear from loud noises.
What nerve provides general sensation to the outer ear?
vagus - CN10
How many rows are there of:
a) Inner hair cells?
b) Outer hair cells?
a) 1 row of IHC’s.
b) 3 rows of OHC’s.
What structures are present on the IHC’s and OHC’s?
Stereocilia
What structures connect adjacent stereocilia?
Tip links.
What happens to the stereocilia when the basilar membrane vibrates?
- stereocilia bend towards the tallest member of bundle TIP links open K+ channels
- influx of K+ from potassium-rich endolymph therefore depolarising
- opens voltage-gated calcium channels
- triggers neurotransmitter release
- glutamate released and action potential in the cochlear branch of 8th CN
- bending in opposite direction slackens tip links allowing repolarisation
True or False; antibiotics can damage stereocilia.
True!
Describe the auditory pathway
ECOLIMA
- eighth cranial nerve
- Cochlear nuclei
- superior olivary nucleus
- Lateral lemniscus
- inferior colliculi
- medial geniculate body
- primary auditory cortex in temporal lobe
What is the Chorda tympani responsible for?
Branch of the facial nerve
- conveys tase from the anterior 2/3 of tongue and runs through middle ear
What fills the vestibular apparatus?
endolymph
What is the function of the vestibular system?
Balance, spatial orientation, proprioception
What does the vestibular apparatus consist of?
Three semicircular canals
Utricle and Saccule
lie in the temporal bone
What do the semi-circular canals detect?
Angular acceleration/rotation
Describe the arrangement of receptor cells in the semicircular canals?
Stereocilia encapsulated in a gelatinous mass called the cupula at the Ampulla of each canal. When the head moves the fluid doesn’t move, the Cupula is pushed against the fluid
Describe what happens when the stereocilia are bent in the semicircular canals?
Ampulla pushed against stationary fluid
- bending of stereocilia
- alteration in the rate of release of glutamate
- Glutamate synapses with neurons
- Glutamate released at rest
- Direction of bending relates to increase/decrease the release
- Towards largest member of hair cells - depolarisation
- Away from largest member leads to hyperpolarisation
-
What do the Utricle and Saccule detect?
Linear acceleration
utricle - vertical
- saccule horizontal
How does the body use vestibular information?
Controls eye movements
reflex mechanisms
proprioception
Name the two components of the outer eye
Cornea and Sclera
What is the role of the cornea?
transmission of light and refraction
Name the three layers of the cornea
epithelium, stroma and endothelium
What is the role of the endothelium layer in the cornea?
To pump water out of stroma as water makes the space between collagen fibres opaque
Which layer of the cornea is not capable of repair?
endothelium
What is the Sclera and what is its role?
The white capsule around the eye
protection as made from the tough outer layer of collagen
the insertion point of extraocular muscles
continuation of dura and cornea
Name three layers in the middle (uvea) layer of the eye?
Iris
ciliary body
choroid
What is the role of the iris?
controls the size of the pupil and gives eye colour
Which muscles are present in the iris which constrict/dilate the pupil?
Sphincter pupillae - parasympathetic
dilator muscles - make the pupil larger - sympathetic
What is the role of the ciliary body?`
- glandular epithelium
- accommodation
- production of aqueous humour to maintain intraocular pressure
Where does the ciliary body receive its innervation?
Parasympathetic system
Describe what occurs in accommodation?
- The optic nerve takes sensory information for pupillary light reflex and vision
- oculomotor nerve carries motor function for accommodation
- ciliary body contracts
- suspensory ligaments slacken
- lens becomes more rounded for close vision
describe the role of Choroid
- Connective tissue with blood vessels
- provides nutrition to the outer retina
- acts as a heat sink
- darkly pigmented to absorb stray photons
Why is the choroid darkly pigmented?
darkly pigmented to absorb stray photons
What does the retina produce?
- Vitreous humour maintains intraocular pressure and collagen structure, important in the transmission of light
Which photoreceptors are the most numerous in the Fovea Centralis?
Cone cells
Which photoreceptors are the most numerous in the Macula Lutea?
Rod cells
What are the functions of cones in the eye?
Cones are important for visual acuity and colour vision.
What are the functions of rods in the eye?
Rods are important for peripheral vision.
- sensitive to light
- vision in low light
Describe the three layers of the tear film
- anterior lipid layer - provides a hydrophobic layer to prevent the aqueous layer evaporating
- Middle aqueous layer - secreted by lacrimal glands, regulates transport through the cornea, prevents infections
- posterior mucus - provides a hydrophilic layer, secreted by goblet cells, even distribution of tear film
Describe the visual pathway
1) visual field
2) retina
3) photoreceptors
4) bipolar cells
5) ganglion cells
6) optic nerve
7) optic chiasm
8) optic tract
10) lateral geniculate body
11) Meyer’s/Baum’s loop
12) primary visual cortex
Describe the ocular arteries that comes from the internal carotid artery
- Ophthalmic artery
- Central retinal artery into the optic nerve
- ciliary arteries
- lacrimal artery
- ethmoid and eyelid artery
Name the artery that comes of the external carotid artery and what does it supply?
Facial artery - supplies medial lid and orbit
Which fibres cross at the optic chiasm and which stay ipsilateral?
Nasal portion - carrying temporal visual fields cross at the optic chiasm and nasal visual fields stay on same side
What is the loop of optic radiation responsible for the upper visual field called?
Meyer’s loop. It travels through the temporal lobes.
Which lobes of the brain does the loop of optic radiation responsible for the lower visual field travel through?
Travels through the parietal lobes. - Baums loop
What would be the affect on the visual field if there was a complete lesion of the left optic nerve?
Total left eye blindness.
What would be the effect on the visual field if there was a complete lesion of the optic chiasm?
Bipolar hemianopia. (Left eye - left-sided blindness, right eye - right-sided blindness).
What would be the effect on the visual field if there was a complete lesion of the right optic tract?
Left homonymous hemianopia. (Left side blindness of both eyes).
What would be the affect on the visual field if there was a lesion of the meyer’s (temporal) loop of the left optic radiation?
Right homonymous superior quadrantanopia. (Right upper quadrant of both eyes affected).
What would be the affect on the visual field if there was a lesion of the parietal loop of the left optic radiation?
Right homonymous inferior quadrantanopia. (Right lower quadrant of both eyes affected).
Name six extraocular muscles
- medial rectus
- lateral rectus
- superior rectus
- inferior rectus
- superior oblique
- inferior oblique
What are intortion and extortion?
Intortion is rotation towards the midline
Extortion is rotation away from midline
which extraocular muscles does the oculomotor nerve innervate?
- Medial rectus
- superior rectus
- inferior rectus
- inferior oblique
Where is the nucleus for cranial nerve 3?
In periaqueductal grey near the cerebral aqueduct
What is the innervation of the lateral rectus?
- CN6 Abducens
What is the innervation of the Superior oblique?
- CN4 trochlear
Where is the nucleus for the trochlear nerve located
In periaqueductal grey near the cerebral aqueduct
Describe the action of the superior rectus on the eye
- Elevates
- Medial rotation
- adduction
Describe the action of superior oblique on the eye
- Depresses
- medial rotation
- abduction
Describe the action of the inferior rectus on the eye
- depresses
- lateral rotation
- adduction
Describe the action of the inferior oblique
Elevation, abduction, lateral rotation of the eyeball
Describe the action of levator palpebrae superioris
Elevation of the upper lid
Which muscle elevates the upper eyelid?
levator palpebrae superioris
Describe the action of the medial rectus?
Adduction of the eyeball
Describe the action of the lateral rectus?
Abduction of the eyeball
Which nerve innervates the superior oblique?
Cranial nerve 4 - trochlear
What does the somatic nervous system innervate?
Skeletal muscle - only excitation
Where are the cell bodies of somatic neurons found?
Ventral horn of spinal cord
Which nervous system travels from the CNS to the effector without any synapses
Somatic nervous system - to skeletal muscles
Which neurotransmitter is involved in the somatic nervous system
Ach
What does the autonomic nervous system innervate?
Smooth muscle
glands
cardiac muscle
neurons in the enteric system
How do somatic motor neurones differ from autonomic motor neurones?
The somatic motor neurone leaves the spinal cord and synapses straight onto the effector, only excitatory. Autonomic motor neurones have a pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic component and so synapse at the ganglia and then at the effector. can be excitatory or inhibitory
Which neurotransmitters are used in the autonomic nervous system neuron chain?
Ach used before ganglion
Ach (excitatory) or noradrenaline used after the ganglion ( inhibitory)