Overview of the nervous system Flashcards
Why is there usually a multi-vesicular release in peripheral nervous system?
Because muscles always require a response
What neurotransmitter mediates excitatory reactions in post-synaptic PNS?
acetyl choline
What is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
Glutamate
What is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
GABA in the brain, glycine in the spinal cord
3 glial cells in the brain?
astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrites
2 glial cells in the periphery?
Shawnn cells and satellite cells
Why are most brain tumours gliomas?
Because neurones cannot divide by mitosis so can’t form tumours
Define gyrus and sulcus
Gyrus is the ridge, sulcus is the valley
Name the 5 lobes of the brain
frontal, occipital, temporal, parietal and limbic
General function of the frontal lobe
Higher cognitive function and motor functions
General function of the parietal lobe
Somatosensory integration. Spatial awareness
General function of temporal lobe
Memory
General function of occipital
Visual and auditory memories
General function of the limbic lobe
Emotions, processing
Where is the Limbic lobe situated?
Medial side of each hemisphere- can’t be seen from outside the brain
What is the function of Broca’s area
language processing
What is the function of Wernickes area
Language comprehension
What is the corpus collosum?
The major tract of the human brain. Pathway that allows integration between left and right hemispheres
What is the anterior commissure?
Connects the two temporal lobes. Internal capsule goes all the way to the spinal cord allowing movement.
Where is the thalamus positioned?
Lies on either side of the third ventricle
Function of astrocytes?
Provide physical and nutritional support for neurons. Clean up debris, transport nutrients, hold in place, regulate content of ECS.
Function of microglia?
Specialised macrophages- phagocytosis for neurons
Function of oligodendroglia?
Produce myelin in the CNS
Function of Shwann cells?
Produce myelin in the PNS
Function of satellite cells?
Physical support of neurons in PNS?
Define rostral and caudal
Rostral= frontal Caudal= back/ tail
What is the function of cerebral ventricles?
They form a complex series of linked chambers in brain surrounding deep brain structures?
How many fibres are there in the corpus callosum?
250,000,000
What happens if the brainstem is damaged?
Patient will enter coma even if forebrain is unharmed
What 2 general structures make up the forebrain?
Cortex and thalamus
