Week 1 Vocabulary Flashcards
Central Nervous System
One of two main divisions of the nervous system. The central nervous system is comprised of the brain and the spinal cord.
Forebrain
Outermost portion of the brain, including the cerebral cortex.
Cerebral Cortex
The cerebral cortex is the outermost portion of the forebrain. It is involved in many “higher functions,” including perception, movement, and consciousness.
Brainstem
Deeper portion of the brain, including the midbrain and hindbrain (which includes the cerebellum).
Spinal Cord
The spinal cord can be thought of as the highway between the brain and the rest of the body. Almost all of the information entering and signals leaving the brain travel through the spinal cord. It also controls reflexes and more.
Meninges
Membranes that cover the brain, including the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
Peripheral Nervous System
One of two main divisions of the nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is comprised of all of the neural tissue not in the brain stem or spinal cord, including nerves and sensory receptors.
Medial
Anatomical notation that means middle, or towards the midline (middle).
Sagittal
The sagittal plane is one of the three anatomical planes. It is essentially a side view of the brain (parasagittal), although it also describes views from the middle .
Rostral
Another term for anterior, or forward part, or front
Caudal
Another term for posterior, backwards, or back
Lateral
Another term for side, or away from the midline
Motor neuron
Autonomic motor neurons originate in the CNS, then leave the CNS and synapse onto ganglionic motor neurons. Ganglionic motor neurons then synapse onto smooth and cardiac muscle, and glands. See here for more details. The targeted muscles and glands produce involuntary movements as a result of this pathway.
Motoneuron
Motoneurons are a specific type of motor neurons. Motoneurons originate in the CNS, and then leave the CNS and synapse onto skeletal muscles that are involved in voluntary movements.
Homeostasis
Homeostasis describes the group of processes that maintain normal healthy function in our bodies. For example, maintaining our body temperature and blood pressure.
Perception
Perception refers to sensations that we are able to be aware of. This includes vision and touch. However, not everything our bodies can sense are perceivable.
Neuropathy
Damage to the nervous system.
Cell body (soma)
Center of any cell, includes organelles that provide basic functions (energy, protein synthesis, etc).
Dendrites
Part of neurons that receive and gather information. Dendrites often branch.
Axon
The long process extending from the cell body that carries information to the synaptic terminal.
Synaptic terminal
Information output area of neurons.
Synapse
Space between neurons where information is transferred with neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that serve many functions in the body. In the nervous system, they cross the synapse from the pre-synaptic neuron to the post-synaptic neuron.
Action potential (spike)
Electrical nerve impulse that travels down the axon to the synaptic terminal.
Glial cells
Support cells in the nervous system. Provide waste management, structural support, and myelination.
Myelin
Insulating fatty wrap that covers axons and speeds conduction of action potentials.
