Neuroscience I Flashcards
What are the general functions of the Nervous System?
- Sensory
- Communicative
- Integrative
- Motor
so as to respond to internal and external stimuli
How is the Nervous System structurally organised?
- Central Nervous System (CNS)
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
What does the CNS comprise of?
Brain and spinal cord
What does the PNS comprise of?
12 pairs of Cranial nerves
31 pairs of Spinal nerves
What are the 12 pairs of Cranial Nerves?
- Olfactory bulb
- Optic nerve
- Oculomotor nerve
- Trochlear nerve
- Trigeminal nerve
- Abducens nerve
- Facial nerve
- Vestibulocochlear nerve
- Glossopharyngeal nerve
- Vagus nerve
- Hypoglossal nerve
- Accessory nerve
How are the Spinal Nerves organised?
8 Cervical nerves 12 Thoracic nerves 5 Lumbar nerves 5 Sacral nerves 1 Coccygeal nerve
Where does the spinal cord end?
L1 vertebra
What is the Cauda Equina?
Tailbone
What is the PNS subdivided into?
- Afferent Division
2. Efferent Division
What does the Afferent Division do?
Carries info (sensory or visceral stimuli) to the CNS
What does the Efferent Division do?
Carries info from CNS to effector organs
How can the Efferent Nervous System be divided into?
- Somatic Nervous System (SNS): voluntary control
2. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): involuntary control
What does the SNS comprise of?
Fibers of motor neurons that supply skeletal muscles
What does the ANS comprise of?
Fibers that innervate smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands
What does an autonomic nerve pathway consist of?
Two-neuron chain
- Pre-ganglionic neuron
- Post-ganglionic neuron
What is a ganglion?
Cluster of neuronal cell bodies
What does the Pre-ganglionic neuron do?
Synapses with the cell body of the postganglionic fiber in a ganglion outside the CNS
What does the Post-ganglionic neuron do?
Sends axons that end on the effector organ
What are the 2 pathways of the ANS?
- Sympathetic Innervation
2. Parasympathetic Innervation
What is Dual Innervation?
Innervation of a single organ by both branches of the ANS
When does Sympathetic Dominance occur?
In ‘fight-or-flight’ response
When does Parasympathetic Dominance occur?
In ‘rest-and-digest’ response
What is the one Gland that only is innervated by Parasympathetic division?
Lacrimal Gland (Tears)
What is the effect of both ANS stimulation on the Heart?
(Sympathetic) Increase HR + force of contraction
(Parasympathetic) Decrease HR + force of contraction
What is the effect of both ANS stimulation on the Blood Vessels?
(Sympathetic) Constricts
(Parsympathetic) Dilates vessels to clit & penis only
What is the effect of both ANS stimulation on the Lungs?
(Sympathetic) Dilates bronchioles + Inhibits Mucus Secretion
(Parasympathetic) Constricts bronchioles + Stimulates Mucus Secretion
What is the effect of both ANS stimulation on the Digestive Tract?
(Sympathetic) Decreases motility + Contract Sphincters + Inhibits digestive secretions
(Parasympathetic) Increases motility + Relaxes Sphincters + Stimulate digestive secretions
What is the effect of both ANS stimulation on the Urinary Bladder?
(Sympathetic) Relaxes
(Parasympathetic) Contracts
What is the effect of both ANS stimulation on the Eye?
(Sympathetic) Dilates Pupils + Contract Radial muscles + Far Vision
(Parasympathetic) Constricts Pupils + Relaxes Radial muscles + Near Vision
What is the effect of both ANS stimulation on the Liver & Adipose Cells?
(Sympathetic) Glycogenolysis+ Lipolysis
What is the effect of both ANS stimulation on the Exocrine Glands?
(Sympathetic) Inhibits pancreatic secretion + Stimulates secretion by sweat glands + Small vol of saliva
(Parasympathetic) Stimulates pancreatic secretion + Large vol of saliva
What is the effect of both ANS stimulation on the Endocrine Glands?
(Sympathetic) Epinephrine + Norepinephrine + Glucagon
(Parasympathetic) Insulin + Glucagon
What is the effect of both ANS stimulation on the Genitals?
(Sympathetic) Controls Ejaculation & Orgasmic Contractions
(Parasympathetic) Controls Erection
What is the effect of both ANS stimulation on the Brain?
(Sympathetic) Increase Alertness
What are the 2 types of effects of the ANS?
- Inhibitory
2. Excitatory