Neurophysiology Flashcards
dorsal root
carries sensory (afferent) information to CNS
ventral root
carriers motor (efferent) information to muscles and glands
gray matter
consists of motor and sensory nuclei
white matter
consists of axons carrying information to and from the brain
ascending tracts
carry sensory info to the brain
descending tracts
carry commands to motor neurons
interneuron
found only in the CNS (spinal cord)
cerebrospinal fluid
- produced by the choroid plexus
- provides buoyancy, nutrients, waste removal, cushioning
hydrocephalus
elevated CSF, puts pressure on the brain
blood brain barrier
prevent things from getting in the brain
-astrocytes help form this
cerebrum
blanket covering the brain
cerbellum
regulates motor activity and contains half of all neurons in the brain
pons
regulates sleep and breathing, relays motor signals between cerebrum and cerebellum (if damaged, will see paralysis)
medulla oblongata
controls cardiovascular activity and respiration
wernicke’s area
sensory info: can hear, but not make sense
-if damaged will see fluent word use with little meaning
broca’s area
motor info: can make sense, but not respond well
-if damaged will see telegraphic speech
corpus callosum
communication between two hemispheres
- left: mathematic
- right: spacial/artistic
basal ganglia
action selection by disinhibition
- “prevented until needed”
- linked to OCD, Tourette’s, Parkinson’s
hippocampus
involved in memory and learning (short to long term)
amygdala
involved in memory and emotion (memories with strong emotional content)
thalamus
relay and integrate sensory and motor information
pineal gland
secrete melatonin (circadian rhythm)
hypothalamus
homeostasis
diencephalon
thalamus, pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland
-injury may result in amnesia