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Week 8 > structure and function of the CNS > Flashcards

structure and function of the CNS Flashcards

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1
Q

composition of CNS

A

brain and spinal cord

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2
Q

function of CNS

A

receives and integrates info from the rest of the body; coordinates activity of body

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3
Q

composition of PNS

A

cranial and spinal nerves
(optic nerve = part of the brain)

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4
Q

longitudinal axis of the brain

A

rostral comes out above eyebrows and caudal just above most posterior portion of the head
i.e. not perpendicular

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5
Q

inferior caudal axis

A

down brainstem
splits the neck/ head into dorsal and ventral

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6
Q

features of grey matter

A

more cell bodies, dendrites, axon terminals; glial cells (e.g. astrocytes); blood vessels

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7
Q

features of white matter

A

more axons (myelinated), glial ells (oligodendrocytes); blood vessels

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8
Q

location of limbic lobe/system

A

deep to cerebrum

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9
Q

function of prefrontal cortex

A

high level functions, personality

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10
Q

function of primary motor cortex

A

voluntary movement

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11
Q

what is the central sulcus

A

midline between the ears

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12
Q

function of primary somatosensory cortex

A

sensation

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13
Q

location of visual cortex

A

occipital lobe

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14
Q

function of temporal lobe

A

hearing (and others)

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15
Q

locations of language/ speech/ hearing

A

Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area

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16
Q

Broca’s aphasia

A

can comprehend speech but their speech is impaired (production)

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17
Q

Wernicke’s aphasia

A

fluent speech but no meaning; impaired speech comprehension

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18
Q

composition of limbic system

A

amygdala + hippocampus

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19
Q

function of amygdala

A

emotions and emotional behaviour

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20
Q

function of hippocampus

A

learning and memory

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21
Q

function of basal ganglia

A

control of movement

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22
Q

location of basal ganglia

A

midbrain, coiled structure

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23
Q

function of hypothalamus

A

temperature regulation + other homeostasis

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24
Q

function of thalamus

A

sensory relay centre between spinal cord and cerebral cortex

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25
function of white matter tracts
areas of white matter communication between brain parts e.g. the corpus collosum
26
split brain
cut the corpus collosum in people with severe epilepsy to prevent 'electrical storm' that would lead to an epileptic fit can't verbally describe (L hemisphere) image shown in LVF (sensed in R hemisphere)
27
regions of the spinal cord
cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral (doesn't align with vertebral regions)
28
how do spinal nerves exit the spinal cord
between vertebrae to PNS
29
spinal nerves C3,4,5
contribute to diaphragm movement and so are essential for breathing
30
spinal nerves L3-S1
knee and foot movement
31
how are vertebrae names
after the spinal nerves that are emerging from them, not where the areas are
32
which spinal nerves are sympathetic tone
T1-12
33
spinal cord tracts definition
bundles of nerve fibres that run up and down the spinal cord (rostral/ caudal) - ascending/ descending - automatic, sensory, motor
34
what is the spinothalamic tract
ascending, sensory pain and temperature
35
what is the corticospinal tract
descending, motor voluntary movement
36
decussate
cross over
37
ipsilateral
same side
38
contralateral
opposite side
39
meninges composition
dura mater ('hard/tough') arachnoid mater ('spider') pia mater ('gentle')
40
dura mater structure
fibrous CT has 2 layers (they separate to form venous sinuses)
41
arachnoid mater structure
membrane
42
pia mater structure
membrane
43
epidural (extradural) POTENTIAL space
not present in all people (in healthy people with no pathology, no space) (middle) meningeal arteries supply dura; rupture -> haematoma
44
subdural POTENTIAL space
not present in all people (in healthy people with no pathology, no space) bridging veins connecting to venous sinuses; rupture -> haematoma
45
subarachnoid space
relatively large CSF cerebral arteries/ veins arachnoid trabeculae (connective)
46
differences between meninges in brain and in spinal cord
dura mater has only 1 layer epidural space contains fat, venous plexus
47
meningitis general info
inflammation of pia mater + arachnoid mater - subarachnoid space viral or bacterial brain damage - cerebral oedema - raised intracranial pressure can cause herniation (movement of brain tissue due to pressure/ inflammation)
48
lumbar puncture
sample of CSF insert needle between the L4+5 vertebrae (spinal cord not intact at this level) - pre-spinal nerves not puncturing the cord looking for: increased WBCs in CSF (+/- bacteria)
49
what is the ventricular system
a series of spaces in the brain, subarachnoid space and meninges (both in the brain and spinal cord_; full of CSF allows flow of CSF
50
CSF function
cushions brain against impact/ movement and own weight (floating) provides stable chemical environment for brain nutrient and waste exchange between nervous tissue and blood
51
effect of aging on CSF
reduced CSF turnover, metabolic waste build-up may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases
52
CSF synthesis
most produced by choroid plexus in lateral and 4th ventricles
53
reabsorption of CSF
into venous system via arachnoid granulations
54
what is circulation of CSF driven by
mainly new production
55
what is hydrocephalus
excess CSF/ flow obstruction
56
CSF composition
clear, colourless liquid similar to plasma but much lower protein; different electrolyte levels very few cells CSF levels of ions are optomise3d for transmission of impulses across an axon
57
what is the blood brain barrier
not one structure - series of features that prevent harmful substances getting into brain and spinal cord from blood
58
how do capillaries in nervous tissue contribute to the blood brain barrier
tight junctions between endothelial cells restrict movement thick continuous BM astrocyte's processes cover vessel (blocks diffusion)
59
how do ependymocyte cells line ventricles and spinal cord
tight junctions restrict movement
60
what areas of BBB have higher permeability (CVOs)
sensory functions e.g. area postrema (medulla) - toxin detection immediately causes the vomiting reflex secretory functions e.g. pituitary gland (secretes hormones)
61
function of BBB
keeps out toxins, pathogens, etc.. stops fluctuation of ions, nutrient, metabolite concentrations in CNS (e.g. increased K+ levels would affect nerve impulse) permeable to substances that can diffuse across (water, small lipophilic molecules, gases) active transport for specific substances e.g. glucose, amino acids many drugs cannot cross BBB

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