Chapter 7: The Structural Organization of The Nervous System

Question 0

Cortex

Answer 0

Collection of neurons that form a thin sheet at the surface of the brain
Latin for ‘bark’
I.e. Cerebral cortex

Question 1

Grey matter

Answer 1

Collection of neural cell bodies
When dissected (brain) neurons appear grey

Question 2

Nucleus

Answer 2

Clearly distinguishable mass of neurons found deep in the brain
Latin for ‘nut’
ie the lateral geniculate nucleus (relays information to the visual cortex)

Question 3

Substantia

Answer 3

Less distinguishable group of related neurons deep within the brain
ie substantia nigra (brain stem cell that controls voluntary movement)

Question 4

Locus (pl loci)

Answer 4

A small well-defined group of cells

ie locus coeruleus (brain stem cell involved in wakefulness and emotional arousal)

Question 5

Nerve

Answer 5

Collection of axons in the PNS (except the optic nerve - CNS)

Question 6

Ganglion (pl ganglia)

Answer 6

A collection of neurons in the PNS
Greek for ‘knot’
(Only one cell group in the CNS that has this name the basal ganglia - controls movement)
ie dorsal root ganglia that which contains cell bodies of sensory axons that enter the spinal cord through the dorsal root)

Question 7

White matter

Answer 7

Collection of CNS axons

Due to mylenation, in brain dissection it appears white

Question 8

Bundle

Answer 8

A collection of axons that run along side each other but do not necessarily have the same destination origin
ie the medial forebrain bundle (connects scattered cells in the cerebrum and brain stem)

Question 9

Capsule

Answer 9

A collection of axons that connect the cerebrum with the brainstem
ie the internal capsule (connects the cerebral cortex with the brain stem)

Question 10

Bundle

Answer 10

A collection of axons that run along side each other but do not necessarily have the same destination or origin
ie the medial forebrain bundle (connects scattered cells in the cerebrum and brain stem)

Question 11

Commissure

Answer 11

Any collection of axons that connects one hemisphere of the brain to the other

Question 12

Lemniscus

Answer 12

A tract the meanders through the brain like a ribbon

ie medial lemniscus (beings touch info from the spinal cord through the brainstem)

Question 13

Dura mater

Answer 13

Outermost, inelastic, tough membrane of the meninges that adheres to the bone/cranium
‘Hard mother’

Question 14

Arachnoid mater

Answer 14

Web-like middle membrane with arachnoid trabeculae

‘Web-like mother’

Question 15

Subarachnoid space

Answer 15

Found between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater

Filled with spinal cerebral fluid

Question 16

Pia mater

Answer 16

Innermost, elastic membrane that is adhered to the cerebral cortex of the brain
Major blood vessels are on the surface and penetrate substance of the brain