Week 10: The nervous system Flashcards
Define Nerve
A structure that conducts electrical impulses too and from muscles and organs
What are the functions of the nervous system?
Sensory function, integrative function and motor function
Define sensory function
The ability of the nervous system to sense changes in either internal or external stimuli
Define integrative function
The ability of the nervous system to analyse and interpret sensory info and produce an appropriate response
Define motor function
The ability of the nervous system to produce a neuromuscular outcome
What are the two subdivisions of the nervous system?
Central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What does the CNS consist of?
Brain and spinal cord
What does the PNS consist of?
Sensory division (afferent) and Motor division (efferent)
What does the PNS split into?
Voluntary contraction (somatic) and involuntary (Autonomic)
What does the autonomic (involuntary contractions) split into?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
Define sympathetic
The fight or flight response
Define parasympathetic
Salivation, digestion, urination
What does the brain do?
Info processing and control centre Pivotal role in what we feel and do Emotional control centre Storage of memories and past experiences Homeostasis Spinal cord orginates at brain stem
Define Neuron
A cell which carries electrical impulses (action potential)
The building blocks of the nervous system
Define dorsal nerve root
Afferent sensory signals to the brain
Define ventral nerve root
Efferent motor signals from the brain
Define intervertebral foramen
Exit point of spinal nerves
What does the sensory division do?
Carries info to the spinal cord and brain, afferent info (ascending)
What does the motor division do?
Carries info away from the spinal cord and brain, efferent info (descending)
Define proprioception
Found in muscle, tendons and joints and provide info relating to position
Define baroreceptors
Found in the walls of blood vessels and provide info regarding blood pressure
Define chemoreceptors
Monitor the concentration of certain chemicals in the body
Define thermoreceptors
Found in all tissues of the body and detect changes in temp
Define nociceptors
Sensory neuron that responds to damaging or potentially damaging stimuli by sending possible threat signals to the spinal cord and the brain
What are motor programs?
Complex movement skills can become learned
What is the sequence of the motor division?
Muscle stimulators bypass the brain and provide and electrical stimulus to the neuromuscular junction resulting in a muscle contraction
How many nerves does the PNS contain?
43 pairs
How many cranial nerves are there?
12 pairs
What do the cranial nerves do?
Emerge directly from the brain, supply head and face
How many spinal nerves are there?
31 pairs
What do the spinal nerves do?
Emerge from segments of the spinal cord, supply skeletal muscle
What are the most common 8 spinal nerves?
Musculocutaneous, axillary, median, radial, common peroneal, tibial, sciatic and femoral
Is pain an input or output of the brain?
Output
Define dorsal
posterior
Define ventral
anterior
What are examples of sensory input?
Pressure, temperature, chemical change, change in joint position and muscle length, tissue damage, taste, vision, hearing and smell
What are exampkes of motor output?
Muscle contraction, movement control, co-ordination, balance, pain, fine and gross motor skills
