Chapter 2: Functional Neuroanatomy Flashcards
The Cells and Structures of the Nervous System
1
Q
Neurons
A
The basic unit of the nervous system.
2
Q
Gilal Cells
A
Non-neural brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain,
3
Q
Neuron Doctrine
A
The hypothesis that the brain is composed of cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically, and functionally.
4
Q
Who proposed the Neuron Doctrine?
A
Ramon y Cajal
5
Q
Synapses
A
The tiny gap between neurons where information is passed from one to the other.
6
Q
Cell Body
A
The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus.
7
Q
Mitochondria
A
A cellular organelle that provides metabolic energy for the cells processes.
8
Q
Golgi Apparatus
A
An organelle (eukaryotic cells) that packages cellular materials into vesicles for transport.
9
Q
Ribosomes
A
Structures in the cell body where genetic info is translated to produce proteins.
10
Q
Dendrites
A
An extension of the cell body that receives inputs from the synapses.
10
Q
Input Zone
A
Dendrites
11
Q
Integration Zone
A
Cell Body
12
Q
Conduction Zone
A
Axon
13
Q
Axon
A
Extension from the cell body that carries action potential to other neurons.
14
Q
Axon Collaterals
A
A branch of an axon from a single neuron.
15
Q
Output Zone
A
Axon terminals
16
Q
Axon Terminals
A
Swellings at the end of an axon that transmit the neurons signals across the synapses to other cells.
17
Q
Motor Neurons
A
A nerve cell in the brain/spinal cord that transmits motor messages, stimulating a muscle/gland.
18
Q
Sensory Neurons
A
A neuron that is directly affected by changes in the environment (light, odor, or touch).
19
Q
Interneurons
A
A neuron that receives input from one and sends output to other neurons (short distances).
20
Q
Multipolar Neurons
A
A nerve cell that has many dendrites and a single axon.
21
Q
Bipolar Neurons
A
A nerve cell that has a single dendrite at one end and a single axon at the other (cell body in middle).
22
Q
Unipolar Neurons
A
A nerve cell with a branch that leaves the cell body and then extends in two directions (receive info, and send info).
23
Q
Arborization
A
The elaborate branching of the dendrites of some neurons.
24
Presynaptic
Region of a synapse that releases the neurotransmitter to a neuron.
25
Postsynaptic
Region of a synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitter.
26
Presynaptic Membrane
Specialized membrane of the axon terminal of the neuron that transmits info by releasing neurotransmitter.
27
Synaptic Celft
Space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes.
28
Postsynaptic Membrane
Specialized membrane on the surface of a cell that receives info by responding to neurotransmitter from a presynaptic neuron.
29
Synaptic Vesicles
Small spherical structure that contains neurotransmitters.
30
Neurotransmitter
The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication between neurons.
31
Neurotransmitter Receptors
Specialized protein molecules that cover the postsynaptic membrane. They capture and react to molecules of the neurotransmitter.
32
Neuroplasticity
The ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience or the environment.
33
Axon Hillock
A cone shaped areas where the axon exits the cell body. The integration zone of the neuron.
34
Innervate
To provide neural input.
35
Histology
The scientific study or the composition of tissues.
36
Nissl Stains
A cell stain that reveals all cell bodies by staining RNA.
37
Golgi Stains
A cell stain that fills a small proportion of neurons with a dense, dark product.
38
Autoradiography
A histological technique that shows the distribution of radioactively labeled chemicals in tissues.
39
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
A technique in which labeled antibodies are used to visualize the histological distribution of specific proteins.
40
Tract Tracers
A compound used to identify the routes and interconnections of neurons.
41
Axonal Transport
The transportation of materials between the neuronal cell body and axon terminals.
42
Astrocyte
A star-shaped gilial cell with numerous processes that extend in all directions. Helps hold nerves in place and perform the way they should.
43
Micorgilal Cell
Very small gilal cells that remove cellular debris from injured or dead cells.
44
Oligodendrocytes
A gilal cell that forms myelin in the CNS.
45
Schwann Cells
A gilal cell that forms myelin in the peripheral NS.
46
Myelination
The process of ensheathing axons in myelin.
47
Myelin
The fatty insulation around an axon that speeds the conduction of action potentials.
48
Nodes of Ranvier
A gap between segments of myelin sheath where the axon membrane is exposed.
49
Edema
The swelling of tissue in the brain in response to injury.
50
Multiple Sclerosis
A disorder characterized by widespread degeneration of myelin.
51
Gross Neuroanatomy
Anatomical features of the NS that are apparent to the naked eye.
52
Peripheral Nervous System
Includes all the nerves and neurons outside the brain and spinal cord.
53
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord.
54
Nerves
Collections of axons bundled together.
55
Motor Nerves
A nerve that conveys neural activity to muscle tissue and causes it to contract.
56
Sensory Nerves
A nerve that conveys sensory info from the periphery into the CNS.
57
Somatic Nervous System
Part of the peripheral NS that provides neural connections to muscles and conducts sensory info to the CNS.
58
Autonomic Nervous System
Part of the peripheral NS that supplies neural connections to glands and to smooth muscles of internal organs.
59
Cranial Nerves
A nerve that is connected directly to the brain.
60
Spinal Nerves
A nerve that emerges from the spinal cord.
61
Cranial Nerve 1
Olfactory: Smell
62
Cranial Nerve 2
Optic: Vision
63
Cranial Nerve 8
Vestibulocochlear: Inner Ear/ Hearing and Balance
64
Cranial Nerve 9
Glossopharyngeal: Taste and mouth sensations
65
Cranial Nerve 10
Vagus: Information from internal organs
66
Ventral
1. Toward the belly/front of the body
2. Bottom of the brain
67
Dorsal
1. Back of the body
2. Top of the brain
68
Root
Branch of a spinal nerve that carries sensory info from the peripheral NS to the spinal cord.
69
Cervical
Topmost section of the spinal cord containing 8 segments in the neck region.
70
How many cervical segments are there in the spinal cord?
8
71
Thoracic
Second region of the spinal cord ranging from the neck to the chest
72
How many thoracic segments are there in the spinal cord?
12
73
Lumbar
Third section in the spinal cord making the lower back.
74
How many lumbar segments are there in the spinal cord?
5
75
Sacral
Fourth section of the spinal cord that makes up the pelvis.
76
How many sacral segments are there in the spinal cord?
5
77
Coccygeal / Coccyx
The bottom section of the spinal cord that makes the tailbone.
78
Autonomic Ganglia
Collections of nerve cell bodies that transmit sensory signals from the periphery to the integration centers in the central NS.
79
Preganglionic
Neurons in the autonomic NS that innervate the ganglia.
80
Postganglionic
Neurons in the autonomic NS that innervate the body
81
Sympathetic Ganglia
Two chains of ganglia that run on each side of the spinal column. Part of the sympathetic NS.
81
Sympathetic Nervous System
Part of the autonomic NS that arises from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord. Prepares the body for action.
82
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Part of the autonomic NS that arises from the cranial nerves and sacral region of the spinal cord. Inhibits organs like the heart to create relaxation.
83
Norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter released by the sympathetic NS to accelerate activity.
84
Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter produced and released in the parasympathetic NS to slow down activity.
85
Enteric Nervous System
A local network of sensory and motor neurons that regulates the functioning of the gut. Part of the CNS.
86
Sagittal Plane
Splits the body into two halves straight on.
87
Coronal Plane
Splits the body into front and back.
88
Horizontal Plane
Splits the body into top and bottom.
89
Medial
Toward the middle
90
Lateral
Toward the side
91
Ispilateral
On the same side
92
Contralateral
Opposite side
93
Superior
Above/top
94
Inferior
Below/bottom
95
Basal
Toward the bottom
96
Anterior/rostral
Front
97
Posterior/caudal
Back
98
Proximal
Near a limb
99
Distal
Far away from a limb.
100
Dorsal
1. toward the back of the body
2. top of the brain
101
Ventral
1. Toward the front of the body
2. bottom of the brain
102
Afferent
Carries info INTO a region of interest.
103
Efferent
Carries info AWAY from a region of interest.
104
Cerebral Hemispheres
The two sides of the brain.
105
Cerebral Cortex
Outside layer of the brain consisting of dendrites, cell bodies, and axons.
106
Gray Matter
Cell body region (tissue is gray).
107
White Matter
Axon Region (myelin).
108
Gyri
A rigged or raised portion of a convoluted brain surface.
109
Sulci
A furrow of a convoluted brain surface.
110
Frontal Lobe
Anterior portion of the brain that helps plan movement and high-level cognition.
111
Parietal Lobe
Top back part of the brain that receives sensory info from the body and participates in spatial cognition.
112
Temporal Lobe
Bottom section of brain that regulates all information related to the senses.
113
Occipital Lobe
Back lobe of brain that receives and processes information from the eyes.
114
Sylvian Fissure
Division between the temporal lobe and frontal/parietal lobes.
115
Central Sulcus
The division between the frontal and parietal lobes.
116
Pre-central Gyrus
The strip of the frontal cortex in front of the central sulcus that is crucial for motor control.
117
Post-central Gyrus
The strip of the parietal cortex behind the central sulcus that receives somatosensory info from the entire body.
118
Corpus Callosum
The main band of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.
119
Neural Tube
Groups of cells filled with fluid that create the future forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain during fetal development.
120
Forebrain
1. Telencephalon (Coretx, Basal Ganglia, and Limbic System)
2. Diencephalon (Thalamus and Hypothalamus)
121
Midbrain
Middle division of the brain.
122
Hindbrain
1. Metencephalon (Cerebellum and Pons)
2. Myelencephalon (medulla)
123
Telencephalon
Forebrain - Cortex, Basal Ganglia, and Limbic System
124
Diencephalon
Forebrain - Thalamus and Hypothalamus
125
Metencephalon
Hindbrain - Cerebellum and Pons
126
Cerebellum
Structure in the back of the brain that is involved in the central regulation of movement.
127
Pons
Part of the brainstem connecting the midbrain to the medulla.
128
Medulla
Back part of hindbrain that is continuous with the spinal cord.
129
Brainstem
The midbrain, pons, and the medulla.
130
Nuclei
A collection of neurons within the CNS.
131
Tracts
A bundle of axons passing within the CNS.
132
Pyramidal Cell
A large nerve cell that has a pyramid shaped cell body. Located in the cerebral cortex.
133
Cortical Columns
A vertical column that makes the basic organization of the neocortex.
134
Basal Ganglia
A group of nuclei in the forebrain found deep within the cerebral hemisphere. Includes caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and the substantia nigra.
135
Caudate Nucleus
A nucleus in the basal ganglia named for its long extension/tail.
136
Putamen
One of the basal ganglia.
137
Globus Pallidus
One of the basal ganglia.
138
Substantia Nigra
A group of pigmented neurons in the midbrain that provides dopaminergic projections to areas in the forebrain (basal ganglia).
139
Limbic System
Group of basal nuclei that form a network to implicate emotions.
140
Amygdala
Group of nuclei in the temporal love involved in emotion regulation, memory, and odor perception.
141
Mammillary Bodies
Pair of nuclei that connect to the hippocampus and play a role in memory.
142
Hippocampus
A structure in the middle of the temporal lobe important for learning, memory, and spatial navigation.
143
Fornix
A fiber tract that extends from the hippocampus to the mammillary body.
144
Septal Nuclei
Collection of gray matter below the corpus callosum, important for reward and reinforcement in learning.
145
Cingulate Gyrus
Part of the limbic system that focuses on attention and cognitive functions.
146
Olfactory Bulb
Front of brain that sits in the upper nasal passages to collect the sense of smell.
147
Stria Terminalis
A limbic axonal pathway connecting the amygdala and hypothalamus. Motivated by behaviors such as sex and threats.
148
Thalamus
Directs all sensory information to the correct regions of the cortex for processing.
149
Hypothalamus
Involved in many vital information such as hunger, thirst, temperature regulation, and sex.
150
Superior Colliculi
Gray matter structures of the top of the midbrain that receive visual info and are involved with visual attention.
151
Inferior Colliculi
Gray matter strictures of the top of the midbrain that process sound info.
152
Tegmentum
The main body of the midbrain.
153
Red Nucleus
A brainstem structure related to motor control.
154
Periaqueductal Gray
Neuronal body of the midbrain involved in pain perception.
155
Ventral Tegmental Area
Midbrain structure containing dopamine. Mediates the perception of reward.
156
Reticular Formation
Extensive region of the brain stem involved in waking and motor control.
157
Purkinje Cells
Large nerve cells in the cerebral cortex.
158
Granule Cell
Small nerve cell.
159
Parallel Fibers
An axon that follows along the outermost layer of the cerebral cortex.
160
Connectome
A map that describes all the neural pathways and connections within the NS of an organism.
161
Meninges
Three protective sheets of tissue (Dura mater, arachnoid, and pia matter) that surround the brain and spinal cord.
162
Dura Mater
Outermost layer (tough) of the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord.
163
Arachnoid
Middle layer of the meninges (webby substance) that surround the brain and spinal cord.
164
Cerebrospinal FLuid (CSF)
The fluid that fills the cerebral ventricles.
165
Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
166
Meningiomas
Several classes of noncancerous tumors that arise from the meninges.
167
Ventricular System
A system of fluid-filled cavities inside the brain.
168
Lateral Ventricle
A shaped lateral portion of the ventricular system within each hemisphere of the brain.
169
Choroid Plexus
Highly vascular portion of the ventricles lining that secretes cerebrospinal fluid.
170
Third Ventricle
Midline ventricle that conducts cerebrospinal fluid from the lateral ventricle into the fourth ventricle.
171
Fourth Ventricle
The passageway within the pons that receives cerebrospinal fluid from the third ventricle and releases it to surround the brain and spinal cord.
172
Hydrocephalus
A ballooning of the ventricles which may occur when the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked.
173
Carotid Arteries
Major arteries that ascend both sides of the neck to the brain, supplying blood to the anterior and middle cerebral arteries.
174
Middle Cerebral Arteries
Two large arteries that provide blood to most of the lateral surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres.
175
Posterior Cerebral Arteries
Two large arteries that provide blood to posterior aspects of the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and brainstem.
176
Vertebral Arteries
Arteries that climb the vertebrae, enter the base of the skull, and join together to form the basilar artery.
177
Basilar Artery
An artery that supplies blood to the brainstem and to the posterior cerebral arteries.
178
Stroke
Damage to a region of brain tissue that results from blockage or rupture to vessels that supply blood to that region.
179
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A temporary blood restriction to part of the brain that causes stroke-like symptoms that quickly resolve but serve as a warning for elevated stroke risk.
180
Blood-Brain Barrier
Selective membrane between the blood and tissue of the brain that helps keep harmful substances from reaching the brain.
181
Glymphatic System
A lymphatic system in the brain that participates in the removal of wastes and the movement of nutrients and signaling compounds.
182
Angiography
A brain imaging technique that provides detailed views of the cerebral blood vessels and aids in the diagnosis of vascular disease.
183
Computerized Axial Tomography (CT/CAT)
- Good image resolution
- X rays move around head to build an image of brain structure
184
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- GREAT image resolution
- Magnetic energy to alter protein positions
- Structural details in the brain
185
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
- Good image resolution
- Reflects diffusion of water molecules
- Good for visualizing pathways
186
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- Good imaging
- Radioactive glucose injected into the blood to examine brain function (active areas take in glucose for energy).
187
Functional MRI (fMRI)
- Lower image resolution
- Good temporal resolution
- Measures oxygenated blood using signals to find active regions.
188
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
A method for mapping brain activity using transcranial infrared light.
189
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- Noninvasive
- Stimulate certain areas of the brain
190
Magnetoenecephalography (MEG)
- Noninvasive
- Measures magnetic fields produced by active neurons to identify active brain regions during a task.
- VERY GOOD temporal resolution
- Good image resolution when combined with MRI
191
Lesions
A region of damage in a part of organ, such as the brain.
192
Social Neuroscience
The study of brain activity as it relates to our interactions with others.
193
Dyadic Functional MRI (dfMRI)
A form of MRI in which the brains of two socially interacting people are scanned simultaneously in a single scanner.
