Lecture 1 - cellular neuroanatomy Flashcards
Functions of the nervous system?
- monitors internal and external environments
- integrates sensory information
- coordinates voluntary and involuntary responses of other organ systems.
What is the first subdivision of the nervous system, what is it concerned with and what is it formed of?
Central nervous system - concerned with memory, intelligence, emotion.
Formed of the brain and the spinal cord.
What is the second subdivision of the nervous system and what is it formed of?
Peripheral nervous system.
Formed of all other neural tissue of both sensory and motor function.
What are the 3 key areas of the brain?
cerebrum - largest part of the brain, formed of right and left hemispheres and carries out higher functions.
cerebellum - positioned under the cerebrum and coordinates muscle movements as well as maintaining posture and balance.
brain stem - consists of the midbrain, pons and medulla and is a relay centre that connects the cerebrum and the cerebellum to the spinal cord. carries out autonomic functions.
What is grey matter composed of?
majority of cells that form the nervous system.
What is white matter composed of?
nerve fibres
Briefly describe the gross anatomy of the brain.
sulci and gyri - gyri = ridge on the surface of the brain sulci = fissures that surround the ridge. they increase the SA of the brain.
ventricles - filled with CSF, exchange of nutrients.
white and grey matter
What are the 2 types of cells in the CNS?
neurons and glial cells
What are the 4 ways you can classify neurons?
- by neurone number
- by dendritic tree
- by axon length
- by neurotransmitter type
What is the cytoskeleton of a neuron composed of?
microfilaments (5nm) - formed in cell body from actin and have substances that attach to them to slide along the microtubules anchored to the membrane.
neurofilaments (10nm) - strong and for structure
microtubules (20nm) - run the length of the axon to aid support
What are the four subtypes of glial cells?
- oligodendrocyte
- astrocytes
- microglia
- ependymal cells
What do oligodendrocytes do?
form the myelin coat around the axon
known as Schwann cells in the PNS
What do astrocytes do?
fill almost all of the space between neurons
induce and stabilise neuronal connections
regulate content of extracellular space
regulate blood flow to areas of neuronal activity
control CNS regeneration
What do microglia do?
aids in phagocytosis and has immune-like functions
What do ependymal cells do?
line the walls of ventricles and develop from radial glia
