Peripheral Nervous System Flashcards
Peripheral Nervous System
connects to brain and spinal cord via 43 pairs of nerves
12 pairs of cranial nerves
originate from brain
31 pairs of spinal nerves
originate from spinal cord
Both types of nerves
directly supply skeletal muscles
One Major Division
Sensory (Afferent) division
Another Major
Motor (efferent division)
Sensory (Afferent) divison
transmits information from periphery to brain
Major families of sensory receptors
Mechanoreceptors, Thermoreceptors: Nocipetors, Photoreceptors, Chemoreceptors
Mechanoreceptors
pressure, touch, vibrations, stretch
Thermoreceptors
temperature
Nociceptors
pain
Photoreceptors
light (allows for vision)
Chemoreceptors
odors, O2, CO2, glucose, electrolytes
Sensory Divison
Special Nerve Endings of Muscles and Joints
Joint Kinesthetic receptors are located
in joint capsules
Joint Kinesthetic receipts are sensitive to
joint angles and rate of angle change
Joint Kinesthetic Receptors can sense
joint position and movement
Muscle Spindles are sensitive to
muscle length, rate of length change (i.e., sense muscle stretch)
Golgi tendon organs are sensitive to
tension applied by muscle to its tendon
Golgi tendon organs provides
information about strength of contraction
Motor (Efferent) Divison
transmits information from brain to periphery
Divisions of Efferent Divison
autonomic and somatic
Autonomic Divison
regulates visceral activity
Somatic Divison
stimulates skeletal muscle activity
