T1: Nervous System Flashcards
What is the nervous system
communication network that enables an animal to adjust itself or its part to changes in the external and internal environment
Sensory components
to detect environment changes
Integrative components
to process the sensory data coupled the information stored/acquired
Motor components
to provide a response to the processed information
What are neurons?
the basic working unit of the brain, a specialized cell designed to transmit information to other nerve cells, muscles, or gland cells
What is Gila?
non-neural cells that maintain homeostasis, from myelin, provide support/ protection for neurons
What are synapes?
to transfer electric activity (information) from one cell to another
What is a neurotransmitter?
chemical messenger
What makes the CNS?
brain, brainstem, spinal cord
What makes the PNS?
cranial nerves, spinal nerves, visceral afferent, Autonomic nervous system/efferent (sympathetic and parasympathetic)
What is the Sympathetic NS?
prepares the body for action/ fight or slight
What is the parasympathetic NS?
calms the body, helps the body conserve energy
What does the frontal lobe do?
- problem solving, emotional traits, reasoning, speaking
Parietal lobe roles?
-left from right
-sensation
-reading
-body orientation
Occipital lobe roles?
-vision
-color perception
Cerebellum roles?
-balance
-coordination and control
-fine muscle control
Brain stem roles?
-breathing
-body temperature
-digestion
-alertness/sleep
-swallowing
Temporal lobe roles?
-understanding language
-behavior
-memory
-hearing
what is CSF?
a clear fluid that is present in the ventricles (core cavities) of the brain
- in the central canal that runs through the core of the spinal cord, and in the subarachnoid pace that surrounds the entire outer surface of the brain and spinal cord
Are there blood cells on CSF?
Almost no blood cells, little protein, different ion concentration compared to plasma
what is a spinal tap and why is it important?
sampling its pressure, cell count levels of various biochemical constituents: a common diagnostic procedure for CNS pathology
what are ventricles?
a series of interconnected cavities in the core of the brain that have an ependymal cell lining and are filled with CSF
How is CSF formed?
by the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles
where is the lateral, third, and fourth ventricle located?
lateral: 2 cerebral hemispheres
third: at the midline of the diencephalon
fourth: between the cerebellum and the dorsal surface of the hindbrain (pons and medulla)
What are the CSF functions?
- cushion the brain
-source of nutrition for the brain
-excretion of metabolic waste products
-control of chemical environment
-regulation of intracranial pressure
What is the BBB?
the blood brain barrier, a diffusion barrier
-which impedes influx of most compounds from blood to brain
-how the brain is protected form potentially harmful neuroactive chemicals in the blood and why it is difficult to deliver certain drugs effectively to the brain
What is Myelography?
injection of radiopaque into the CSF of the subarachnoid space, the dye is introduced using a needle
What is Hydrocephalus (HC) congenital?
obstruction of the flow of CSF (started at youth)
Treatment of HC
- diuretics, glucocorticoids
-decrease in CSF production
-shunting of CSF into another cavity us used to treat HC
Shunt in the pleural space?
ventriculoperitoneal
internal/external HC:
increase of fluid accumulation within the ventricular and subarachnoid spaces
Obstructive HC:
(noncommunicating) occlusion of CSF flow within the ventricular system rostral to the site of obstruction
Communicating HC:
extraventricular impedance to normal CSF circulation and absorption; it may also be a result of excessive CSF production (rare)
Compensatory HC:
when CSF occupies space in the cranial cavity that normally would be occupied by brain parenchyma
What is a seizure?
a sudden, electrical discharge in the brain causing alterations in behavior, sensation, or consciousness
What are causes of seizures that are outside of the brain? (name?)
extracranial or metabolic
- hypoglycemia
-liver/kidney disease
-poison
-severe anemia
What are causes of seizures inside of the brain?
(intracranial or structural)
- brain tumor
-stroke
-infection
What is a idiopathic epilepsy?
first seizure between 1-5 years of age
- typically generalized clonic-tonic
What is the difference between a seizure and epilepsy?
-Seizure is a single occurrence
-epilepsy is two or more unprovoked seizures
What is epilepsy?
chronic disorder, the hallmark of which is recurrent/unprovoked seizures
- repeated episodes of seizures
Characteristics of epileptic seizures?
-single
-may occur in clusters
-caused by disturbances in the electrical activity of the brain
what are the three stages of seizures/ define them
preictal: start of a seizure
ictus: stroke or attack
postictal: after the attack
Seizures symptoms?
-sudden collapsing
-involuntary movement of limbs
-excessive drooling
-uncontrollable jaw movement
-lethargy
Describe the names of common seizures and characteristics
Grand mal: fall, lose consciousness, exter libs are rigid
Mild: begins the same way as a grand mal seizures but will typically not involved the extension of the limbs, paddling, or loss of consciousness
Petit mal: last a few seconds and is characterized by a brief period of unconsciousness, loss of muscle tone, blank stare
Complex/partial seizures: create strange or omplex behaviors
