Central Nervous System Flashcards
Central Nervous System
Contains the brain and spinal cord
Brain
Interprets and stores information and sends orders to muscles, glands, and organs
Spinal Cord
Pathway connecting the brain and the peripheral nervous system
Peripheral Nervous System
Transmits information to and from the central nervous system
Autonomic Nervous System
Automatically regulates glands, internal organs and blood vessels, pupil dilation, digestion, and blood pressure
Somatic Nervous System
Carries sensory information and controls movement of the skeletal muscles
Moter system (efferent)
Carries messages from the CNS to muscles and glands
Sensory system (afferent)
Carries messages from senses to CNS
Sympathetic Division
Prepares the body to react and expend energy in times of stress; “fight or flight”
Parasympathetic Division
Maintains body functions under ordinary conditions; saves energy; “eat-drink-rest”
Reflex
Response time
Neuroplasticity
The ability to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in the brain in response to experience and even trauma
Sensory Pathway
Compromises all the nerves carrying messages from the senses to the CNS
Motor Pathway
All of the nerves carrying messages from the central nervous system to the voluntary muscles of the body
