Terminology Flashcards
Brainstem
medulla oblongata, pons and midbrain
caudal
Towards the tail end (oppositie of rostral)
Column
A large bundle of ascending or descending nerve fibers, composed of different fasciuli
contralateral
the opposite side
cortex
the periphery of a structure, the opposite of medulla
Decussation
The level in the CNS where paired fiber tracts cross from one side of the body to the other (e.g. pyramidal decussation)
Enteroceptor
A sensory receptor that provides information to the CNS concerning the external environment
Fasciuculus
A bundle, also tract, of ascending or descending nerve fibers within the CNS (e.g. fasciculus cuneatus)
Fiber
A long thin structure; refers to an axon or a collection of axons
Fovea
A depression or a pit (e.g. fovea centralis of the retina)
Funiculus
A large bundle (also column) of ascending and descending nerve fibers, composed of several fasciculi
Ganglion
A collection of nerve cell bodies in the CNS e.g. Basal Ganglia
Glomerulus
Structures with a spherical configuration
Infundibulum
A funnel-like structure
Interoceptor
A sensory receptor that provides information to the CNS concerning the body’s internal environment
Ipsilateral
The same side
Lamina
A layer os specific material such as the layering of nerve cell bodies in the spinal cord
Myelin
A fatty substance that surrounds certain acons; compised of spiral layers of the cell membranes of Schwann cells (in the peripheral nervous system) and of the oligodendroglia (in the CNS)
Neurite
A collective term for axons and dendrites
Neuropil
A complex of axons, dendrites, and processes of neuroglia that form a web-like network between nerve cell bodies of the gray matter
Nucleus
Core
Operculum
A cover or lid
Peduncle
A massive collection of nerve fiber bundles that connect the cerebrum and the cerebellum to the brainstem
Perikaryon
The cell body of a neuron (i.e. without its dendrites and axon); also referred to as soma
plexus
the interwoven arrangements of nerve fibers that serve a specific region
Project
When one group of cells relay their information to a second group of nerve cells it is said that they first group ‘projects’ to the second group
Proprioceptor
sensory nerve endings in muscles, joints and tendons that inform the CNS concerning the position and movements of the regions of the body in space
Raphe
A seam or midline structure
Rostral
Towards to the nose (or nostral); toward a higher position, opposite of caudal
Tract
A bundle, also fasciculus, of ascending or descending nerve fibers within the CNS
Sucus
Groove
Gyrus
Fold
