The Nervous System

Question 1

The peripheral nervous system is divided into two major subdivisions. Can you name and explain these subdivisions?

Answer 1

• the somatic: governs voluntary functions
• the autonomic: which has two subdivisions( the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems) they work together to carry out involuntary physiological processes such as regulation of bp, heart rate, and digestion

Question 2

What’s in a neuron?

Answer 2

The cell body(soma), contains a nucleus, the dendrites( which transmits electrical impulses to the cell bod), and the axons( which transmit electrical impulses away from the cell body)

Question 3

What are acetylcholine and norepinephrine?

Answer 3

• acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic and voluntary nervous system
• norepinephrine is the neurotransmitter found in the synaptic terminals of the sympathetic nerves

Question 4

What does the thalamus do in the brain ?

Answer 4

Relay and processing centres for sensory info

Question 5

What does the hypothalamus do ?

Answer 5

Centres controlling emotions, automatic functions and hormone production

Question 6

What is the function of the pituitary gland ?

Answer 6

Release of hypothalamic hormones.

Secretion of hormones regulating endocrine activity

Question 7

What does midbrain do ?

Answer 7

• processing of visual and auditory data
• generation of involuntary somatic motor responses
• maintenance of consciousness

Question 8

What is the function of pons ?

Answer 8

• relays sensory info to cerebellum and thalamus

- involuntary somatic and visceral motor centres

Question 9

What does the medulla oblongata do ?

Answer 9

• relays sensory info to the thalamus

- autonomic centres for regulation of visceral function

Question 10

List the functions of the cerebrum?

Answer 10

• Conscious thought processes
• intellectual functions
• memory storage and processing
• involuntary regulation of the somatic motor patterns

Question 11

List the functions of the cerebellum?

Answer 11

• involuntary control of complex somatic motor patterns
• memory storage of learned motor patterns
• adjusts output of other somatic motor centres in brain and spinal cord

Question 12

Can you name the part of the brain where these senses come from ? 
1-speech 
2-personality 
3-vision 
4- balance and coordination 
5-sensory 
6-motor

Answer 12

1-temporal lobe of the cerebrum 
2-frontal lobe of the cerebrum 
3-occipital cortex 
4-in the cerebellum 
5-in the parietal lobes 
6-frontal lobes

Question 13

Describe the reticular activating system?

Answer 13

It is a diffuse system of interlacing nerve cells responsible for maintaining consciousness and ability to respond to stimuli

Question 14

Key myotomes for neurological evaluation

Answer 14

Arm extension (C5)
Elbow extension (C7)
Small finger abduction (T1)
Knee extension (L3)
Ankle flexion (S1)

Question 15

Key dermatome locations

Answer 15

Collar region (C3)
Little finger (C7)
Nipple line (T4)
Umbilicus (T10)
Small toe (S1)

Question 16

PSNS consists of nerve roots branched from

Answer 16

Sacral region
Cranial nerves (primarily vagus)

Question 17

SNS consists of nerve roots branched from

Answer 17

Thoracic and Lumbar regions

Question 18

What are the 4 categories of peripheral nerves?

Answer 18

1. Somatic sensory
2. Somatic motor
3. Visceral (autonomic) sensory
4. Visceral (autonomic) motor

Question 19

2 types of sympathetic ganglia?

Answer 19

Sympathetic chain ganglia

Collateral ganglia

Question 20

Postganglionic nerve fibres that exit the sympathetic chain ganglia have what effects when stimulated?

Answer 20

Stimulation of secretion by sweat glands
Constriction of blood vessels in skin
Increase blood flow to skeletal muscles
Increase heart rate and force of cardiac contractions
Bronchodilation
Stimulation of energy production

Question 21

Post ganglionic nerve fibres that exit the collateral ganglia have what effects when stimulation? (SNS)

Answer 21

Reduction of blood flow to abdominal organs
Decrease digestive acitvity
Relaxes smooth muscles of urinary bladder
Releases glucogen stores from liver

Question 22

What are the adrenergic sympathetic receptors?

Answer 22

Alpha 1
Alpha 2
Beta 1
Beta 2

Question 23

What are the sympathetic receptors?

Answer 23

Adrenergic

Dopaminergic

Question 24

Parasympathetic nerve fibres that leave the brain stem travel with what 4 cranial nerves?

Answer 24

Occulomotor (iii)
Facial (vii)
Glossopharyngeal (ix)
Vagus nerve (x)

Question 25

What are the two types (and subtypes) of acetylcholine

Answer 25

Nicotinic (neuron and muscle)

Muscarinic

Question 26

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there ?

Answer 26

31 pairs

Question 27

Describe a plexus?

Answer 27

It permits peripheral nerve roots to rejoin and function as a group

Question 28

What is the phrenic nerve responsible for ?

Answer 28

Diaphragm control

Question 29

Can you name the 4 categories of peripheral nerves ?

Answer 29

• somatic sensory: these afferent nerves transmits sensations involved in touch, pressure, pain, temp, and position
• somatic motor: these efferent fibres carry impulses to the skeletal muscles
• visceral sensory: these afferent tracts transmit sensations from the visceral organs. Such as full bladder or need to defecate
• visceral motor: these efferent fibres exit the central nervous system and branch to supply nerves to the involuntary cardiac muscle and smooth muscles of the viscera organs