Week 1 Vocabulary

Question 1

Central Nervous System

Answer 1

One of two main divisions of the nervous system. The central nervous system is comprised of the brain and the spinal cord.

Question 2

Forebrain

Answer 2

Outermost portion of the brain, including the cerebral cortex.

Question 3

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 3

The cerebral cortex is the outermost portion of the forebrain. It is involved in many “higher functions,” including perception, movement, and consciousness.

Question 4

Brainstem

Answer 4

Deeper portion of the brain, including the midbrain and hindbrain (which includes the cerebellum).

Question 5

Spinal Cord

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Meninges

Answer 6

Membranes that cover the brain, including the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Question 7

Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Medial

Answer 8

Anatomical notation that means middle, or towards the midline (middle).

Question 9

Sagittal

Answer 9

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 .

Question 10

Rostral

Answer 10

Another term for anterior, or forward part, or front

Question 11

Caudal

Answer 11

Another term for posterior, backwards, or back

Question 12

Lateral

Answer 12

Another term for side, or away from the midline

Question 13

Motor neuron

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Motoneuron

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Homeostasis

Answer 15

Homeostasis describes the group of processes that maintain normal healthy function in our bodies. For example, maintaining our body temperature and blood pressure.

Question 16

Perception

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Neuropathy

Answer 17

Damage to the nervous system.

Question 18

Cell body (soma)

Answer 18

Center of any cell, includes organelles that provide basic functions (energy, protein synthesis, etc).

Question 19

Dendrites

Answer 19

Part of neurons that receive and gather information. Dendrites often branch.

Question 20

Axon

Answer 20

The long process extending from the cell body that carries information to the synaptic terminal.

Question 21

Synaptic terminal

Answer 21

Information output area of neurons.

Question 22

Synapse

Answer 22

Space between neurons where information is transferred with neurotransmitters.

Question 23

Neurotransmitters

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Action potential (spike)

Answer 24

Electrical nerve impulse that travels down the axon to the synaptic terminal.

Question 25

Glial cells

Answer 25

Support cells in the nervous system. Provide waste management, structural support, and myelination.

Question 26

Myelin

Answer 26

Insulating fatty wrap that covers axons and speeds conduction of action potentials.