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Histology and Embryology > The Nervous System > Flashcards

The Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

The brain and spinal cord develop from the _______.

A

Embryonic neural tube

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2
Q

The neural crest becomes a

A

pluripotent stem cell population, which becomes neural and non-neural organ systems

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3
Q

Thickening and folding of the neural tube in the head region develops into?

A

brain

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4
Q

At the end of neurulation, what 3 distinct vesicles does the Rostral end of the Neural Tube develop into?

A

forebrain (prosencephalon)
midbrain (mesencephalon)
hindbrain (rhombencephalon)

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5
Q

What 2 parts does the procephalon further divide into? What do they become?

A

1) telencephalon (cerebrum, olfactory bulbs/tracts/centers)
2) diencephalon (hypothalamus & thalamus)

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6
Q

The diencephalon separates into 2 more parts. What are they?

A

Ventral part (hypothalamus)
Dorsal part (thalamus)

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7
Q

What is the mesencephalon futher divided into and what does it become?

A

1)rostral colliculi: ocular reflexes
2) caudal colliculi: relay auditory pathways

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8
Q

What 2 parts are the rhombencephalon (hindbrain) further divided into?

A

1) metacephalon (cerebellum, pons)
2) myelencephalon (medulla oblongata)

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9
Q

What does the cerebellum do? Where is it located?

A

Location: hindbrain
Function: controls posture, balance & smooth movements by coordinating snesory input with motor function

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10
Q

What does the mylencephalon do and where is it located?

A

Location: Hindbrain
Function: Controls respirations and heart rate (HR)

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10
Q

All 3 m’s in neural tube development are in alphabetical order: They are….

A

mesencephelon (mid)
metencephelon (hind)
myelencephelon (hind)

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11
Q

Where does Cytodifferentiation of the Neural tube begin & what cells result?

A

It begins in the rhombencephalon.
Neuroepithelial stem cells produce Neurons, Glial (astrocytes & oligodendrocytes), & Ependymal cells of the CNS

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12
Q

What is cytodifferentiation?

A

It is the differentiation of unspecialized cells to become specialized cells.

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13
Q

Where do microglial cells arise from?

A

Yolk sac / Liver precursors 🡪 CNS via blood vessels

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14
Q

What does the ventricular zone turn into?

A

future ependymal cells

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15
Q

What does the intermediate zone turn into?

A

grey matter

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16
Q

What does the marginal zone (peripheral zone) turn into?

A

white matter

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17
Q

During the Early & Later stage of neural tube development, does the neural tube increase or decrease the size of the central canal?

A

Decreases size of central canal over time

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18
Q

What structures does the ventricular system give rises to?

A

-4 ventricles of the brain
-Specialized vascular plexuses (choroid plexuses) 🡪 form cerebrospinal fluid (CSF- located in the pia mater) (epindyma)
-which circulates throughout CNS

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19
Q

What is the CNS comprised of?

A

brain and spinal cord

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20
Q

What are ganglia?

A

a collection of nerve cell bodies in the PNS

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21
Q

What are Basal nuclei & where can they be found?

A

They are clusters of neuronal cell bodies and they can be found in the cerebrum

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22
Q

What are the functional differences between the Somatic & Autonomic nervous systems?

A

Somatic: Sensory & motor innervation
Everything BUT viscera, smooth m., & glands
Autonomic:
Efferent involuntary motor innervation
Smooth m. , conducting sys. of heart, & glands
Consists of sympathetic & parasympathetic

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23
Q

What is the function of the blood-brain barrier in the brain?

A

Protects brain from bacterial infections & other substances by preventing diffusion into CNS tissue.

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24
How is the blood brain barrier formed?
Formed by tight junctions in capillaries which have a thick basement membrane (BM), astrocyte foot process BUT endothelium lack fenestrations ONLY O2, CO2, & H2O can easily diffuse through CNS BBB And Lipid soluble substances (w/ high lipid affinity)
25
What can easily diffuse through the blood brain barrier (BBB)?
O2, CO2, and H2O and lipid soluable substances with high lipid affinity
26
What is the Virchow-Robin space?
-Also called Perivascular Space -It is present around arteries & veins but NOT capillaries -Boundaries: formed by blood vessel adventitia & pia matter & is continuous w/ subarachnoid space
27
Which parts of the Cerebrum & Cerebellum have white & grey matter respectively?
Medulla (White matter) Cortex (Grey matter)
28
What does the cerebrum and cerebellum consist of?
Medulla : Axons, glial cells, blood vessels Cortex: Nerve cell bodies, axons, dendrites, glial cells, synapses. Cerebellum cortex consists: -Outer molecular layer (lighter pink), Layer of Purkinje cells -Inner granular layer (darker granulated purple) -Medulla is a darker pink.
29
Which parts of the spinal cord have white & grey matter?
Medulla: Grey matter Cortex: White matter
30
What does each part of the spinal cord consist of? | what are the different layers/ sections and what is in the medulla
Medulla: Neurons (cell bodies), glial cells, nerve fibers Cortex/ White matter: Well-myelinated axons divided into **major bundles** called: 1) Dorsal funiculi 2) Lateral funiculi 3) Ventral funiculi
31
What is the connective tissue of the CNS collectively called?
meninges
32
What are the 3 layers of the meninges called and made of?
1) Dura matter: Outermost layer, Dense CT 2) Arachnoid: Middle layer containing subarachnoid space (brain & spinal cord) --> CSF, Loose CT 3) Pia mater: Thin superficial layer (brain & spinal cord), CT w/ inner layer of squamous epithelium
33
What do the Arachnoid & Pia mater make up?
leptomeninges
34
What is the difference between leptomeninges and the dura mater?
The meninges contain two compartments: the leptomeninges (collective term for pia and arachnoid layers) and the dura. The vascular make-up, fibroblast, and immune cell populations are different between the two compartments, as are their roles in development, homeostasis, and disease.
35
What is the neuron & its primary functions?
*Functional unit of the nervous sys. *Receive stimuli from other cells & conduct electrical impulses = synapses -Via network of specialized contacts between neurons providing transmission of info -Can be classified as Motor, Sensory, or Inter (both)
36
What are the 3 neuronal supporting cells & where can they each be found?
Neuroglia (CNS) Schwann cells (PNS) Satellite cells (PNS & Ganglia -which are in the PNS)
37
How are neurons classified?
By the # of processes extending from the cell body: multipolar, bipolar, unipolar
38
What makes a neuron multipolar? Where are they found?
1 axon, 2+ dendrites, **most common type** of neuron and found throughout the CNS
39
What makes a neuron bipolar? Where are they found?
1 axon, 1 dendrite Found in retina of eye & nerve of ears
40
What makes a neuron unipolar? Where are they found?
1 process dividing close to body into 2 long processes Found Dorsal/cranial root ganglia
41
What are the main components of the Neuron?
Cell body Axon Dendrites Nissl bodies
42
What is the function of the cell body?
Contains nucleus + organelles = Perikaryon
43
What is the function of the axon?
Extends from body to transmit impulses away from the cell body to another neuron or effector cell
44
What is the function of the dendrites?
To receive stimuli from the periphery/ other neurons/environment to the cell body
45
What is the function of the nissal cells?
Contain ribosomal content
46
What is axonal transport?
Transport of newly synthesized proteins w/in a neuron (constant replacement of organelles) However, neurons lack regenerative ability --> CNS injuries being devastating & fatal
47
What does the Axon Hillock look like?
Located at base of where the axon & neuron cell body connect NO Nissl substance (bodies) due to abundance of neurofibrils for axon transportation Making it appear more pale (shorter & more uniform than dendrites) | where the axon connects to the cell body
48
What is Neuropil?
Areas in CNS Grey matter composed of axons, dendrites, & glial cells Hint: I think of it like the "ground substance" of the CNS
49
What does the CNS consist of?
brain + spinal cord in the cranial cavity and spinal canal
50
What does the PNS consist of?
cranial, spinal, and peripheral nerves conducting impulses from and to the CNS
51
What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
Activates the fight or flight response during a threat or perceived danger
52
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
restores the body to a state of calm
53
The cerebellar cortex (gray matter) is ________ with many folds, each supported by a tract of _________.
convoluted; white matter
54
Each fold of the cerebellum has an outer ________ layer & inner ________ layer on either side of the Purkinje cell layer
molecular; granular
55
What are astrocytes?
A subtype of glial cells that make up the majority of cells in the human central nervous system (CNS).
56
BBB resists the passage of _____ compounds & ________ from the blood into the brain interstitium
polar; macromolecules
57
What are some examples of molecules that are needed for brain metabolism?
D-glucose, large neutral amino acids such as phenylalanine and L-dopa
58
What is the functional unit of the nervous system?
The neuron
59
A synapse is a network with specialized contacts between _______ providing transmission of ____.
neurons; info (impulses from one neuron to another)
60
What are the supporting cells in the CNS?
Neuroglia
61
What are the supporting cells in the ganglia?
Satellite cells
62
What are the three types of neurons?
- Sensory neurons - Motor neurons - Interneurons
63
What makes up the cell body of a neuron?
Nucleus + organelles = perikaryon
64
The axon of a neuron extends from the ______, transmits ____ from the body to a specialized terminal (synapse).
body; impulses
65
Can you identify each number on the diagram;
66
What is a synapse?
Specialized junctions between neurons facilitating transmission of impulses from one neuron to another
67
Dendrites are impulses from ________ to the ____ ______. They are larger than axons and unmyelinated.
periphery; cell body
68
What are the functions of nissl bodies?
synthesis of proteins and containment of ribosomal content
69
Axonal transport is the transport of newly synthesized ______ to a distant location within a _______.
protein; neuron
70
Axon hillock is devoid of Nissl substance due to the abundance of ______ necessary for axon transportation
neurofibrils
71
Neuropils are areas in the CNS gray matter composed of ___ (mostly unmyelinated), _____ and ______ processes.
axons; dendrites; glial cell processes
72
Axons convey information away from the ___ ___ to another ___ or to an ____ ___ (ex: muscle)
cell body; neuron; effector cell
73
Synapes are also between ______ and __ ____.
axons and target cells.
74
Glial cells ___, ___, and ____ neurons
support, protect, and nourish
75
The brain has no connective tissue support except for a minimal amount around the _____ blood vessels
largest
76
What are the 3 types of glial cells?
astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglial cells
77
Embryonic glial cells are the physical scaffolding directing the ________ of the _______ to their appropriate position
migration; neurons
78
Where are astrocytes located in the CNS?
both in the gray and white matter
79
Astrocytes are ______ cells and provide _____ and ____ support for the neurons of the CNS.
heterogenous; physical and metabolic
80
What are the two types of astrocytes?
Protoplasmic and fibrous | stars- plasma + fire (fiberous)
81
Protoplasmic astrocytes are mostly found in _____ matter, numerous, short, with branching _____ processes.
gray; cytoplasmic
82
Fibrous astrocytes are mainly found in _____ matter, with fewer ______, and are straight.
white; processess
83
Fibrous axons form a covering for the _____ areas of myelinated axons such as those at the nodes of Ranvier.
bare
84
What do microglia arise from?
monocyte progenitor cells in yolk sac/ fetal liver
85
mononuclear phagocytic system (slide 11)
primarily composed of **microglia** Cleaning team of macrophages of the central nervous system - which are responsible for maintaining brain homeostasis by engulfing debris, damaged cells, and pathogens, essentially acting as the brain's immune system
86
Where are microglial cells mainly found?
in the gray matter, but are also present in white matter
87
What is the smallest cell of the neuroglia?
microglia
88
Where are oligodendrocytes mainly found?
white matter | a little bit of coconut oil in white chocolate
89
Oligodendrocytes are equivalent to ______ cells in the PNS
Schwann cells | it is illegal to put oil on a swan
90
Oligodendrocytes are responsible for the formation and continuous turnover of ____ in the CNS
myelin | turning over laundry; getting oil out of sheets
91
Majority of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced by the _________.
choroid plexus
92
CSF circulates through the ______, then enters the _______ of the spinal cord and ________ space.
ventricles; central canal; subarachnoid space
93
CSF is absorbed back into the ______ by the arachnoid villi in the falx cerebri portion of the meninges.
blood
94
What are the 4 ventricles of the ventricular system of the CNS?
lateral (right + left) third fourth
95
What cells make the epithelial lining of the fluid-filled cavities?
ependymal cells
96
What are columnar or cuboidal cells that line the CSF-filled ventricles of the brain and central canal of the spinal cord?
ependymal cells
97
The choroid plexus is specialized for the transport of ____ and ____ from the fenestrated capillary endothelium and through the ependymal layer to make CSF
water and ions (Na+, K+, Cl-)
98
What are the main components of the PNS?
nerves (& nerve endings) ganglia (collections of nerve cell bodies)
99
Peripheral nerves are bundles of _____ individually surrounded by _____ cells and _____ _____.
axons; Schwann cells; connective tissue
100
What is the external coat of dense irregular CT on a peripheral nerve called?
epineurium, which extends inward to surround fascicles
101
Fascicles contain bundles of nerve fibers and are surrounded by a sleeve of CT called _____.
perineurium
102
What is the CT surrounding axons and Schwann cells within fascicles?
endoneurium
103
What are the 2 types of glial cells in the PNS?
Schwann cells (neurolemmocytes) Satellite cells
104
What are neuronal cell bodies of ganglia surrounded by layer of small cuboidal cells
Satellite cells
105
Satellite cells establish and maintain a _____ _____ around the neuronal body in the ganglion
micro environment
106
Satellite cells are similar in function to ______.
astrocytes
107
The role of satellite cells are similar to Schwann cells but they do not ________.
produce myelin
108
Schwann cells are also called __________.
myelinated axons
109
Axons with a large diameter are enclosed in sheaths of ______.
Schwann cells
110
What is myelination and what is its purpose?
It is fat, and it insulates nerves and helps protect the axon
111
What are Nodes of Ranvier?
Small gaps between adjacent myelin sheaths which help speed up signals
112
What is the Choroid plexus made of & its function?
Vascularized pia mater covered by cuboidal choroid plexus epithelial cells Function: Specialized for transport of water & ions
113
Small diameter axons are enveloped by ________.
unmyelinated folds
114
What are the functions of satellite cells?
Electric insulation and metabolic exchange
115
What are the layers of the brain?

Histology and Embryology (20 decks)

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