Neurological Function Flashcards
The _____ nervous system contains the cranial nerves which innervate the face, throat, as well as the heart
Peripheral
The peripheral nervous system brings sensory information from the ____ to the ____
Outside to the inside
The _____ nervous system is the bulk of the nervous system and controls things like walking and talking
Somatic
The _____ nervous system controls things like the heart and breathing
Autonomic
____ are specialized cells of the nervous system
Neurons
The role of neurons is to pass on ____ by action potentials and chemical messengers
Information
Neurons also receive information and then send out information to control all ___ ___ and ____
Body processes and functions
We have 100s of thousands of neurons in the ___ and ___ ___
Brain and spinal cord
Some neurons may receive a signal and send it to ____ neuron, while some may receive a signal and send it to many
1
There is a lot of ____ in the central nervous system
Variability
Neurons requires lots of ____ and ____ to keep up with their higher energy demand
Glucose and oxygen
Neurons do not require ____ to take up glucose
Insulin
Neurons do not go through mitosis except for ____ neurons
Olfactory
Most of the neurons we have are neurons we were _____ with
Born
Children with brain stem damage might have new ____ forming to replace damage
Neurons
_____ are sensory nerve routes and are the cell bodies of the neurons
Ganglia
Ganglia also exists outside of the ___ ___ ___
Central nervous system
____ is a group of axons that travel in the central nervous system together
Plexus
____ are long extensions that carry the signal down the neuron to another neuron
Axons
____ is a high lipid wrap of the axon that keeps action potentials inside the axon
Myelin
___ ___ ___ are gaps in the axon
Nodes of Ranvier
_____ neurons bring information from the outside world or distal parts of the body into the central nervous system into the brain to be processed
Sensory (afferent)
_____ pass signals between two neurons or pathways
Interneurons
_____ neurons allow us to have movement, innervate muscle/gut, and autonomic nervous system (heart and lungs)
Motor (efferent)
Motor (efferent) neurons travel from the ____ to the ___
Brain; body
____ is the connective tissue of the nervous system and consists of several types of neurons
Neuroglia
____ are very important for the blood-brain barrier
Astrocytes
Astrocytes sit on top of the ___ ___
Blood vessel
Astrocytes allow control of what gets into the ____ ____ (glucose, electrolytes, etc)
Nervous system
Astrocytes suck up any extra ____
Neurotransmitter
Astrocytes may also provide ____ support
Structural
_____ extend the membrane out to make myelin in the central nervous system
Oligodendroglia
_____ are resident immune cells that reside in the central nervous system and in the peripheral nervous system
Microglia
Microglia are ____
Macrophages
Microglia can move across tissue to dead tissue in the brain or somewhere else and can perform ____
Phagocytosis
Microglia can cause ___ ___ formation and can also clean up extracellular debris
Scar tissue
______ cells line the internal cavities of the central nervous system
Ependymal
Ependymal cells are active and secret things like waste product into the _____ ____
Cerebrospinal fluid
Ependymal cells are ____ cells that help to keep cerebrospinal fluid moving
Ciliated
_____ cells are oligodendrocytes of the peripheral nervous system
Schwann
Schwann cells wrap membranes to ____ axons in the peripheral nervous system to keep the insulated
Myelinate
White matter is another term for ____
Golgi
White matter is made up of ____
Axons
____ matter contains cell bodies, dendrites, and axon terminals
Grey
____ ____ are the way that neurons communicate (resting membrane potential, action potential, repolarization)
Action potentials
____ ____ ____ make it less likely that a signal is going to get passed on
Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials
____ ____ ____ make it more likely that the signal is going to get passed on
Excitatory postsynaptic potentials
A ____, also known as a neural junction, is the site of transmission of electric nerve impulses between two nerve cells (neurons) or between a neuron and a gland or muscle cell (effector)
Synapse
The synaptic ____ is the gap between pre- and post-synaptic cells
Cleft
A _____ is a chemical substance that is released at the end of a nerve fiber by the arrival of a nerve impulse and, by diffusing across the synapse or junction, causes the transfer of the impulse to another nerve fiber, a muscle fiber, or some other structure.
Neurotransmitter
There are ____ criteria that define a neurotransmitter
5
Neurotransmitters can be ____ or _____
Inhibitory or excitatory
Neurotransmitters are classified by ____
Structure
What are some examples of neurotransmitters?
-Acetylcholine (ANS)
-Norepinephrine (cholinergic component of the ANS)
-Serotonin (sleep)
-Dopamine (precursor to norepi or epi)
-Histamine (mast cells, stomach)
-Glutamate (excitatory)
The ____ is the protective layer of the central nervous system
Skull
The skull does not allow for ____ of the brain in adults (it is not fully formed at birth which allows the baby’s skull to move together to allow the baby out of the birth canal)
Swelling
____ are the soft spots on an infant’s head where the bony plates that make up the skull have not yet come together.
Fontanelles
The posterior fontanelle closes around ___ months of life
3
The posterior fontanelle closes around ___ months of life
3
The anterior fontanelle closes around ___-___ months of life
20-24
Solid union of sutures is formed by ___ ___ of age and becomes a “box” of bone which is why it is bad when the brain swells
12 years
The ____ _____ ____ is also known as the extrathalmic control modulatory system
Reticular activating system
What are the areas of the reticular activating system?
-Ascending tracts
-Reticular formation (brainstem: midbrain)
-Thalamus
-Hypothalamus
-Coretx
What are the functions of the reticular activating system?
-Maintain consciousness
-Sleep/wakefulness
The reticular activating system uses ____ to drive sleep
Serotonin
The reticular activating system uses what neurotransmitters to drive wakefulness?
-Acetylcholine
-Possibly glutamate
-Epinephrine/Norepinephrine
What are the 4 lobes of the cerebrum/cortex (left and right)?
-Frontal lobe
-Parietal lobe
-Occipital lobe
-Temporal lobe
What are the areas of the frontal lobe?
-Prefrontal areas to the precentral gyrus
-Primary motor area (aka primary motor strip)
-Broca’s area
What are the functions of the prefrontal area of the frontal lobe?
-Abstract thought
-Short-term memory
-Emotions
-Inhibition
-Goal-oriented behavior
-“Pre-motor”
What is the function of the primary motor area of the frontal lobe?
Motor movement
What is the function of Broca’s area of the frontal lobe?
Motor component of speech
What is the area of the parietal lobe?
Postcentral gyrus to occipital lobe (above the temporal lobe)
Functions of the parietal lobe:
-Primary sensory area (primary sensory strip, postcentral gyrus)
-Sensory function (where the sensory neurons end and where sensory information is processed)
-Doral stream of vision
What is the area of the occipital lobe?
Visual association area
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
-Vision/visual association
What are the areas of the temporal lobe?
-Primary auditory cortex
-Wernicke’s area
-Amygdala (incredibly important for memory and very sensitive to hypoxia)
-Hippocampus
-Ventral stream of vision
Functions of the temporal lobe:
-Processing of sound (including language)
-Auditory association
-Long-term memory
-Declarative (conscious) memory
-Visual association
What are three tracks of the central nervous system?
-Corpus callosum
-Basal ganglia
-Limbic system
The corpus callosum is made up of the…
Axons between two hemispheres
What is the function of the corpus callosum?
-Connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain (if disconnected early in childhood, it may be able to be reattached)
What is the function of the basal ganglia?
-Relay station
-Information is processed here and sent above the upper part of the brain
What are the areas of the limbic system?
-Caudate nucleus
-Olfactory bulbs
-Hypothalamus
-Thalamus
-Amygdala
-Hippocampus
-Fornix
-Others
Functions of the limbic system:
-Feeding response
-Temperature regulation
-Sexual behavior
-Physical expression of emotion
-Memory and learning (due to hippocampus)
-Attention, emotion, and social processing (due to amygdala)
What are the three components of the brain stem?
-Midbrain
-Pons
-Medulla
What are the areas of the midbrain?
-Top of brain stem
-Red nuclei
-Substantial nigra
-Cranial nerves III-IV
-Cerebral aquaduct/aquaduct of sylbius (how cerebral spinal fluid gets out of the brain)
Functions of the midbrain:
-Modifies motor function
-Eye movement
-Drains cerebrospinal fluid
The midbrain receives input from the ___ and ___ ___ and sends modified impulses down the spinal cord
Cerebellum, motor cortex
What are the areas of the pons?
-Between midbrain and the medulla
-Cranial nerve V-VIII
What are the functions are the pons?
-Respiration
-Swallowing
-Bladder control
-Hearing
-Equilibrium
-Taste
-Eye movement
-Facial expressions/movement and sensation
Areas of the medulla:
-Connects the pons and the spinal cord
-Cranial nerve IX-XII
-Descending pathways (motor) and some ascending pathways cross here
Functions of the medulla:
-Heart rate (vagus nerve)
-Modifies respiration
-Blood pressure
-Coughing
-Sneezing
-Vomiting (area postremia)
Area of the cerebellum:
Connected to the brainstem
Functions of the cerebellum:
-Coordinates motor movement
-Provides neuronal input
The ____ is a column of bones that protect the spinal column
Spine
____ is a “cage” of bone that fits around the spinal cord
Vertebrae
There are ___ cervical vertebrae; they are smaller in size
7
There are ___ thoracic vertebrae that are larger and more stable than cervical vertebrae because the ribs hold them in place
12
There are ____ lumbar vertebrae; these are the largest of the vertebrae
5
There are ____ sacral vertebrae; these bones fuse as an adult
5
The ____ starts as 4 bones in childhood, but becomes one as an adult
Coccyx
The ____ is the first vertebra and is named because it supports the head
Atlas
The ____ is the second vertebrae (Odontoid process)
Axis
There are ____ sets of nerves off the spinal cord
31
Ventral root fibers are the axons of ____ neurons
Efferent
Efferent neurons are ____ neurons and go from the brain to the periphery
Motor
Dorsal root fibers are the axons of ____ neurons
Afferent (sensory)
Afferent neurons are _____ neurons and go from the periphery to the brain
Sensory
Ventral roots are the ____ portion of the spinal cord
Anterior
Upper motor neurons are in the ___ ___ ___
Central nervous system
Lesions of the upper motor neuron can cause…
-Spastic paralysis
-Hyperreflexia
Lower motor neurons go to the ____ fibers
Muscle
Lower motor neurons are part of the ___ ___
Reflex arc
Lesions of lower motor neurons cause…
-Flaccid paralysis
-Significant atrophy
-Hyporeflexia
The _____ pathway of the motor system is responsible for motor function
Corticospinal
The corticospinal tract conducts impulses from the ____ to the ___ ___
Brain to spinal cord
The corticospinal tract is made up of what two separate tracts in the spinal cord?
-Lateral corticospinal tract
-Anterior corticospinal tract
Where does the corticospinal tract cross?
Contralateral side within the medulla
The corticobulbar tract crosses in the…
Lower medulla
The corticobulbar pathway terminates in the ___ ___
Brain stem
The corticobulbar tract supplies upper motor neuron innervation to the cranial nerves supplying the ____ and ____
Head and face
The corticorubospinal tract crosses in the…
Ventral tegmental decussation of the midbrain
The most important function of the corticorubospinal tract is the control of ____ ____ in flexor muscle groups
Muscle tone
The spinothalamic tract crosses upon entering the ____ ____
Spinal cord
The spinothalamic tract pathway enables one feel sensations like…
-Pain
-Temperature
-Light touch
The ____ ____ transmits impulses arising from proprioceptors and cutaneous receptors
Posterior column
Posterior columns allow us to feel…
-Vibration
-Position sense
____ ____ are the posterior portion of the spinal cord
Dorsal roots
Dorsal route ____ are cell bodies for sensory neurons
Ganglion
The ____ system of dorsal roots is afferent (from periphery to brain)
Sensory
The sensory system allows us to feel…
-Pain
-Temperature
-Touch
-Proprioception (tendons, body wall, joints)
-Two point discrimination
-Pressure sensation
What are pathways of the sensory system?
-Anterolateral system
-Spinothalamic (pain and temperature)
Damage of the posterior (dorsal) also known as dorsal columns, causes loss of…
-Vibratory sensation
-Two point discrimination
-Point localization
The posterior (dorsal) columns cross at the ____
Medulla
The spinocerebral pathway of the sensory system is involved in…
-Proprioception
-Coordination
The internal carotid artery supplies oxygenated blood to crucial structures such as the ____ and ____
Brain and eye
The vertebral arteries run through the spinal column in the neck provide blood to the ____ and ____
Brain and spine
The Circle of Willis is not always ____
Intact
The _____ artery is a big artery that has lots of branching vessels
Basilar
The basilar artery perfuses what two things?
-Brain stem
-Cerebellum
What is included in the Circle of Willis?
-Anterior cerebral arteries
-Posterior cerebral arteries
-Middle cerebral arteries
-Posterior communicating arteries
-Anterior communicating arteries
The anterior cerebral arteries don’t _____ anything, but they are important for maintaining the cycle
Perfuse
The anterior cerebral arteries are important for ____ and ____
Vision and smell
We have two anterior cerebral arteries and they connect to form the ____
Circle
A gap in the circle of Willis would cause ____ to flow out
Blood
The Posterior cerebral arteries provide blood to the…
-Bottom of the occipital lobe
-Bottom of temporal lobe
The middle cerebral arteries provide blood to…
-Sides of the brain
-Frontal lobes
-Broca’s and Wernicke’s area
-Basal Ganglion
(lots of the brain)
The posterior communicating arteries don’t ____ anything, but just maintain the circle
Perfuse
The anterior communicating arteries supply perfuse the…
-Medial and superior parts of the frontal lobe
-Anterior parietal lobe
The ___-___ ____ is made of capillaries joined with tight junctions between endothelial cells and allows for selective passing
Blood-brain barrier
The blood-brain barrier keeps ____ in the blood out of the brain
Toxins
The meninges and cerebrospinal fluid surround both the ____ and the ____ ____
Brain and spinal cord
The ___ ___ is a very thin layer of connective tissue over the brain
Pia mater
The Pia mater follows ____ and is very vascular
Convolutions
The ____ ____ allows cerebrospinal fluid to flow and provides cushion (shock absorber)
Subarachnoid space
The subarachnoid space is continuous with the _____
Ventricles
The ____ contains major vessels for the brain, thicker connective tissue, villi, and cerebrospinal fluid
Arachnoid
The arachnoid contains the ___ ___ ___
Circle of Willis
The ____ ____ is between the arachnoid and dura matter layer
Subdural space
The subdural space bridges ____
Veins
The subdural space is a ____ space
Theoretical
The ____ ____ is a potential (theoretical) space between the skull and dura
Epidural space
We have a ____ system in the brain made up of immune cells
Lymphatic
We have about ___ mL of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain
125
____ mL of cerebrospinal fluid is produced each day
500
Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in the ____ ____ (right in the center of the brain)
Choroid plexus
Cerebrospinal fluid is reabsorbed by the ___ ____
Arachnoid villi
Cerebrospinal fluid contains little ____ and few ___
Protein, WBC
The ____ nervous system maintains a hemodynamically stable environment
Autonomic
____ nerves run from the central nervous system to a ganglion
Preganglionic
When stimulated, preganglionic neurons release _____ at the neuron
Acetylcholine
The primary role of ____ ____ is to transmit autonomic information
B Fibers
____ nerves run from a ganglion to an effector organ
Postganglionic
The ____ nervous system is responsible for our fight or flight response
Sympathetic
The sympathetic neurotransmitter is ____
Norepinephrine
Sympathetic stimulation sends impulses to the whole ____
Body
Sympathetic nervous system sends ____ impulses to increase activity
Excitatory
What does the sympathetic nervous system cause?
-Vasodilation on vessels going to muscles
-Decreases blood flow to the gut
-Vasoconstriction around the skin
-Keeps blood in the core
-Inhibits peristalsis
-Inhibits sphincters
-Shunts blood away from the gut and into the lungs and heart
-Dilates bronchioles in the airway
-Gets as much oxygen into the blood to deliver to tissues
-Dilates pupils
-Causes release of epinephrine
What are adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system?
-Alpha1
-Alpha2
-Beta1
-Beta2
The exception of the sympathetic nervous system is ___ ___
Sweat glands
Sweat glands don’t respond to adrenergic receptors, but _____ instead
Acetylcholine
The parasympathetic nervous system neurotransmitter is _____
Acetylcholine
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for ____ and ____
Rest and digest
What does the parasympathetic nervous system stimulate?
-Increased blood flow to the gut/intestine
-Enhances peristalsis
-Constricts the pupils and bronchioles
-Decreases heart rate
-Responsible for sexual arousal
_____ receptors stimulate the skeletal muscle
Nicotinic
_____ receptors stimulate the heart, smooth muscle, and secretory glands
Muscarinic
The sympathetic nervous system has branches from vertebrae ___-___
T1-L2
The sympathetic nervous system is also known as _____, and includes 22 pairs of paravertebral ganglia
Thoracolumbar
______ is the parasympathetic division
Craniosacral
Craniosacral has a more specific ____ to ____ ratio of 1:3
Preganglionic to postganglionic
The ____ nervous system is the arm of the autonomic nervous system that drives GI function
Enteric
