The Central Nervous System Flashcards
what makes up the central nervous system
the brain and spinal cord. lies within the skull and vertebral canal
what is the spinal cord covered by
three different meninges
- dura mater
- arachnoid membrane
- pia mater
what are the different segments/ regions of the spinal cord
- cervical
- thoracic
- lumbar
- sacral
- coccygeal
what does grey matter contain
neuron cell bodies and some axons
what does white matter contain
nerve axons
explain dorsal horn grey matter
found in the dorsal or posterior part of the spinal cord.
location of first order afferent neuron terminals
contains cell bodies of second order sensory neurons
explain ventral horn grey matter
ventral or anterior part of the spinal cord
contains cell bodies of motor neurons
motor neuron axons leave the cord via the ventral nerve roots
why is white matter grey
because it is stained for myelin and therefore appears dark.
how is white matter organised
into various groups of axons that serve particular functions
describue the regional differences in grey and white matter
cervical - more white than grey
thoracic - more white than grey
lumbar - more grey than white
sacral - more grey than white
describe the organisation of white and grey matter in the brain
the grey matter is on the outside
describe the organisation of white and grey matter on the spinal cord
the white matter surrounds the grey matter
what are the different regions of the brain
forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain
what is found within the forebrain
the cerebrum and diencephalon
what is found within the hindbrain
the pons, medulla oblongata and cerebellum
what does the midbrain control
visual and auditory reflexes
pain control
what does the hind brain control
vital centres, regulating breathing, heart, blood vessels, etc
also controls balance and posture
what is found in the forebrain diencephalon
thethalamus and the hypothalamus
what is the thalamus responsible for
sensory processing
what is the hypothalamus responsible for
homeostasis - thermoregulation
hormone production
associated with the pituitary gland
circadium rhythms
motivation
emotional responses and stress
what is the cerebrum responsible for
sensory and motor functions
language
memory
perceptions
sensory-motor integration
emotions
what form of matter is the cerebrum
grey
what form of matter is the corpus callosum
white
what are the different regions of the lateral surface of the brain
frontal lobe
parietal lobe
temperol lobe
occipital lobe
what is the function of the meninges surrounding the spinal cord
protection of the spinal cord
why is white matter white
fat content - comes from the myelination of the matter. myelin is responsible for the presence of white matter in the cns
where are cell bodies found in the cns
at the core of the spinal cord in two areas - the ventral horn at the front, and the dorsal horn at the back.
why does the outskirts of the spinal cord have white matter
due to axons bringing information up and down the spinal cord