Organization of the CNS Flashcards
Are exciteable and conductive
Neurons
Provide output to muscles, glands (PNS), and other neurons (CNS)
Neuron Terminals
Generate action potentials
Neuronal Axons
Insulates axons and increases conduction velocity
Myelin
The “trigger zone” of the neuron
Axon Hillock
Carry sensory information from the periphery
-Associated with receptors
PNS Afferents
The cells bodies of PNS afferents are usually in the
Dorsal root ganglia
Carry (usually) motor signals to skeletal and smooth muscle
PNS Efferents
The cell bodies of PNS efferents are in the
Central Nervous System
CNS neurons are mostly
Interneurons
Interneurons form connections within the
CNS
Connect to neurons in the immediate region
Local Interneurons
Project to more distant areas of the CNS
Projection interneurons
Receiving areas of neurons can be large or small and vary in dimension. More inputs to a neuron means more
Convergence
Number of outputs from axon terminals reflects
Divergence
Convergence of information enables integration of
Inhibitory and exciteatory information
What are clusters of cell bodies called in the
- ) CNS
- ) PNS
- ) Nucleus
2. ) Ganglia
Is mainly cell bodies and synapses
Grey matter
Are myelinated axons
White matter
Grey and white matter are reversed in the
Spinal cord
In the basal ganglia, diencephalon and brainstem, the combined ratio of glial cells to neurons is is
11.35
What are the three non-neuronal cells in the CNS?
Ependymal, Macroglia, and Microglia
Line the fluid-filled cavities of the brain (ventricles) and the central canal of the spinal cord
Ependymal Cells
What are the two types of macroglia?
Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes
Phagocytes, active after injury, infection or disease in the CNS
-Produce growth factors
Microglia (5-20% of glial population)
Form the glial membrane
-an important component of Blood-brain barrier
Astrocytes
In the blood-brain barrier, control K+ and modulate the vascular tone in the brain, controlling cerebral blood flow
Astrocytes
Astrocytes remove K+ from extracellular fluid at nodes of Ranvier during
Action potentials
Astrocytes remove neurotransmitters from synaptic clefts, which prevents
Glutamate excitotoxicity
Communicate through gliotransmitters(D-serine, glutamate, ATP) in response to adjacent synaptic activity
Astrocytes
Produce neurotropic factors and also produce scar tissue in response to CNS injury
Astrocytes
Changes in neurons and pathways in response to experience
Neuroplasticity
Comprised of the brain and spinal cord
CNS
Comprised of the spinal nerves, peripheral nerves, and cranial nerves
PNS
Components:
- Motor efferents to muscle
- Autonomic efferents to viscera*
- Sensory afferents from skin, muscle, joints, visceral receptors
Spinal nerves
Sends motor efferents to muscle and autonomic efferents to viscera
Spinal nerves
In the thoracic and upper lumbar regions, spinal nerves are
Sympathetic