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Anatomy and Physiology > Chapter 9 - Nervous System > Flashcards

Chapter 9 - Nervous System Flashcards

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1
Q

adrenergic fiber

A

a neuron for which the neurotransmitter is either adrenaline, noradrenaline or dopamine

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2
Q

body’s control network

A

Control of the body’s billions of cells is accomplished in part by two body-wide communication systems: the nervous system and the endocrine system. Both systems transmit information from one part of the body to another, but they do it in different ways. The nervous system transmits information very rapidly by nerve impulses conducted from one body area to another. The endocrine system transmits information more slowly by chemicals secreted by ductless glands into the bloodstream and then circulated to other parts of the body.

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3
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system; it consists of structures that regulate the body’s automatic or involuntary functions (for example, heart rate, contractions of the stomach and intestines, and secretion of chemical compounds by glands).

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4
Q

glia (adjective: glial)

A

Non-neuronal cells (i.e. not nerves) of the brain and nervous system. There are a variety of subtypes of glial cells, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, each of which is specialized for a particular function. They are also called neuroglia.

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5
Q

structure of a neuron

A

Each neuron consists of three parts: a main part called the neuron cell body, one or more branching projections called dendrites, and one elongated projection known as an axon.

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6
Q

Schwann cell

A

a variety of glial cells that keep peripheral nerve fibers (both myelinated and unmyelinated) alive

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7
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

gaps between adjacent Schwann cells

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8
Q

neurilemma

A

the outer wrapped layer of a Schwann cell

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9
Q

sensory neuron

A

carry impulses to the spinal cord and brain from all parts of the body. Sensory neurons are also called afferent neurons.

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10
Q

motor neurons

A

carry impulses in the opposite direction—away from the brain and spinal cord. They do not conduct impulses to all parts of the body—only to two kinds of tissue—muscle and glandular epithelial tissue. Motor neurons are also called efferent neurons.

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11
Q

interneurons

A

conduct impulses from sensory neurons to motor neurons. They also often connect with each other to form complex, central networks of nerve fibers. Interneurons are sometimes called central or connecting neurons.

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12
Q

glioma

A

a common type of brain tumor that grows out of glial cells

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13
Q

astrocyte

A

star-shaped glial cells that have a number of functions, including support of the blood-brain barrier, provision of nutrients to neurons, repair to nervous tissue following injury, and facilitation of neurotransmission

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14
Q

blood-brain barrier (BBB)

A

A crucial immunological feature of the human central nervous system (CNS). Composed of many cell types, the BBB is both a structural and functional roadblock to microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses or parasites, that may be circulating in the bloodstream

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15
Q

microglia

A

A type of glial cell that is smaller than astrocytes; they usually remain stationary, but in inflamed or degenerating brain tissue, they enlarge, move about, and act as microbe-eating scavengers. They surround the microbes, draw them into their cytoplasm, and digest them. They likewise help clean up cell damage resulting from injury or disease.

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16
Q

oligodendrocyte

A

also called oligodendroglia; a type of neuroglia whose main functions are to provide support and insulation to axons in the central nervous system

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17
Q

nerve

A

A group of peripheral nerve fibers (axons) bundled together like the strands of a cable. Peripheral nerve fibers usually have a myelin sheath. Because myelin is white, peripheral nerves often look white.

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18
Q

endoneurium

A

a thin wrapping of fibrous connective tissue that surrounds the axon of a nerve

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19
Q

neuron pathway

A

the routes traveled by nerve impulses

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20
Q

perineurium

A

a protective sheath that surrounds a nerve fascicle

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21
Q

epineurium

A

A tough, fibrous sheath that covers a whole nerve

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22
Q

tract

A

1a: a system of body parts or organs that act together to perform some function (e.g. the digestive tract)
1b: a bundle of nerve fibers having a common origin, termination, and function
2: an area either large or small: such as an indefinite stretch of land or a defined area of land
3: extent or lapse of time

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23
Q

white matter

A

neural tissue especially of the brain and spinal cord that consists largely of myelinated nerve fibers bundled into tracts, has a whitish color, and typically underlies the cortical gray matter

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24
Q

gray matter

A

neural tissue especially of the brain and spinal cord that contains nerve-cell bodies as well as nerve fibers and has a brownish-gray color

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25
underlie
(1) to lie or be situated under | (2) to be at the basis of: form the foundation of
26
maul
(noun) a heavy often wooden-headed hammer used especially for driving wedges (verb) beat or bruise, mangle, handle roughly
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mangle
(1) to injure with deep disfiguring wounds by cutting, tearing, or crushing (2) to spoil, injure, or make incoherent especially through ineptitude
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inept
(1) generally incompetent (2) lacking in fitness or aptitude (e.g. inept in sports) (3) not suitable to the time, place, or occasion: inappropriate often to an absurd degree (4) lacking sense or reason : FOOLISH
29
reflex arc
A neural pathway that controls a reflex. In vertebrates, most sensory neurons do not pass directly into the brain, but synapse in the spinal cord. This allows for faster reflex actions to occur by activating spinal motor neurons without the delay of routing signals through the brain. The brain will receive the sensory input while the reflex is being carried out and the analysis of the signal takes place after the reflex action.
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receptor
the beginnings of dendrites of sensory neurons; it receives stimuli
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reflex (anatomy)
an action that is performed as a response to a stimulus and without conscious thought
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synapse
A small gap at the end of a neuron that allows a signal (neurotransmitter) to pass from one neuron to the next. Synapses are found where nerve cells connect with other nerve cells. Synapses are composed of three main parts: The presynaptic ending that contains neurotransmitters The synaptic cleft between the two nerve cells The postsynaptic ending that contains receptor sites
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neurotransmitter
Chemical messengers that transmit a signal from a neuron across the synapse to a target cell, which may be another neuron, a muscle cell, or a gland cell. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances made by the neuron specifically to transmit a message
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effector
An organ that puts nerve signals “into effect.” Effectors are usually muscles or glands, and muscle contractions and gland secretion are the kinds of reflexes operated by these effectors.
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withdrawal reflex
an automatic withdrawal of an extremity (e.g. a hand) from a painful stimulus
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synaptic knob
(also called a bouton) A button-like swelling on an axon where it has a synapse with another neuron
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catecholamines
Catecholamines help the body respond to stress or fright and prepare the body for "fight-or-flight" reactions. The adrenal glands make large amounts of catecholamines as a reaction to stress. The main catecholamines are epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and dopamine.
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epinephrine
more commonly known as adrenaline, it is a hormone secreted by the medulla of the adrenal glands. Strong emotions such as fear or anger cause epinephrine to be released into the bloodstream, which causes an increase in heart rate, muscle strength, blood pressure, and sugar metabolism.
39
norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
a naturally occurring chemical in the body that acts as both a stress hormone and neurotransmitter (a substance that sends signals between nerve cells). It's released into the blood as a stress hormone when the brain perceives that a stressful event has occurred.
40
dopamine
A type of neurotransmitter. Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It's a big part of our unique human ability to think and plan.
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serotonin
It is a neurotransmitter. Its biological function is complex and multifaceted, modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and numerous physiological processes such as vomiting and vasoconstriction.
42
endorphin
any of a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system and having a number of physiological functions. They are peptides which activate the body's opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect
43
enkephalins
A pentapeptide involved in regulating nociception in the body; they also function similar to endorphins.
44
nitric oxide (NO)
(1) a colorless poisonous gas formed by oxidation of nitrogen or ammonia that is present in the atmosphere (2) in mammals, where it is synthesized from arginine and oxygen, it acts as a vasodilator and as a mediator of cell-to-cell communication (as between nerve cells)
45
nociception
the perception of a painful or injurious stimulus—also called nociperception
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arginine
A basic amino acid which is a constituent of most proteins. It is an essential nutrient in the diet of vertebrates.
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meninges
The three thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord
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medulla oblongata
sometimes just called medulla; a long stem-like structure which makes up the lower part of the brainstem. It is anterior and partially inferior to the cerebellum. It is a cone-shaped neuronal mass responsible for autonomic (involuntary) functions, ranging from vomiting to sneezing.
49
pons
Also called the pons Varolii; part of the brainstem that in humans and other bipeds lies inferior to the midbrain, superior to the medulla oblongata and anterior to the cerebellum This region of the brainstem includes neural pathways and tracts that conduct signals from the brain down to the cerebellum and medulla, and tracts that carry the sensory signals up into the thalamus.
50
midbrain
also called the mesencephalon; it is the top-most portion of the brainstem and is associated with vision, hearing, motor control, sleep and wakefulness, arousal (alertness), and temperature regulation
51
cerebellum
The portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem. The cerebellum controls balance for walking and standing, and other complex motor functions.
52
diencephalon
also called interbrain; a division of the forebrain (embryonic prosencephalon), and is situated between the telencephalon and the midbrain
53
cerebrum
Also called the telencephalon; it is the largest part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres, or halves, called the cerebral hemispheres. Areas within the cerebrum control muscle functions and also control speech, thought, emotions, reading, writing, and learning.
54
brainstem
area at the base of the brain that lies between the deep structures of the cerebral hemispheres and the cervical spinal cord and that serves a critical role in regulating certain involuntary actions of the body, including heartbeat and breathing
55
forebrain
also called prosencephalon; the rostral (forward-most) portion of the brain
56
thalamus
a dumbbell-shaped section of gray matter located just above the hypothalamus; it is associated with producing sensations, emotions, and plays a part in the so-called arousal or alerting mechanism
57
gyrus (plural: gyri)
A ridge on the cerebral cortex. It is generally surrounded by one or more sulci (depressions or furrows; singular: sulcus). Gyri and sulci create the folded appearance of the brain in humans and other mammals. Think of it as a U. The two top points of the U are the gyri. The bottom middle of the U is the sulcus.
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corpus callosum
the great band of commissural fibers uniting the cerebral hemispheres (left and right) of higher mammals including humans
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commissure (adjective: commissural)
1. the joint between two bones. | 2. a band of nerve tissue connecting the hemispheres of the brain, the two sides of the spinal cord, etc.
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frontal lobe
One of the four major lobes in the brain, and it plays vital roles in memory, attention, motivation, and numerous other daily tasks
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parietal lobe
One of the four major lobes in the brain, roughly located at the upper back area in the skull. It processes sensory information it receives from the outside world, mainly relating to touch, taste, and temperature.
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temporal lobe
The temporal lobe is one of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex. It is the lower lobe of the cortex, sitting close to ear level within the skull. The temporal lobe is largely responsible for creating and preserving both conscious and long-term memory.
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occipital lobe
One of the four major lobes and the part of the human brain responsible for interpreting information from the eyes and turning it into the world as a person sees it
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cerebral cortex
A thin layer of gray matter, made up of neuron dendrites and cell bodies, that forms the surface of the cerebrum.
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basal nuclei
A region located at the base of the brain composed of 4 clusters of neurons, or nerve cells. This area of the brain is responsible for body movement and coordination. The basal nuclei are also called the basal ganglia.
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cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
also called a stroke; it is damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply.
67
Parkinson disease (PD)
a chronic nervous disorder resulting from a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the basal nuclei of the cerebrum The group of signs associated with this disorder is a syndrome called parkinsonism. Parkinsonism is characterized by rigidity and trembling of the head and extremities, a forward tilt of the trunk, and shuffling manner of walking
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dura mater
The tough outer layer of tissue that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord and is closest to the skull. The dura mater is one of the three layers that form the meninges.
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pia mater
the innermost layer of the meninges, the pia mater closely covers the brain. It acts as a barrier and aids in the production of cerebrospinal fluid.
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arachnoid mater
the middle layer of the three meninges
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cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
a clear, colorless body fluid found within the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord of all vertebrates
72
ventricle
a cavity of a bodily part or organ: such as (1) a chamber of the heart which receives blood from a corresponding atrium and from which blood is forced into the arteries (2) any of a system of communicating cavities in the brain that are continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord
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choroid plexus
a secretory tissue found in each of the brain ventricles, the main function of which is to produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
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hydrocephalus
a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up within the fluid-containing cavities or ventricles of the brain
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lumbar puncture
also called a “spinal tap,”; it is the withdrawal of some cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the subarachnoid space in the lumbar region of the spinal cord
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dermatomes
an area of skin in which sensory nerves derive from a single spinal nerve root
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sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
the subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that responds to emergency situations by mobilizing and controlling the energy necessary to cope with the situation; in other words, it regulates the bodies fight or flight response
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parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
The part of the autonomic nervous system originating in the brainstem and the lower part of the spinal cord that, in general, inhibits or opposes the physiological effects of the sympathetic nervous system, as in tending to stimulate digestive secretions, slow the heart, constrict the pupils, and dilate blood vessels.
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cholinergic fibers
Any of the nerve fibers that transmit impulses to other nerve cells or to muscle fibers or gland cells by acetylcholine
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limbic system
the part of the brain involved in our behavioral and emotional responses, especially when it comes to behaviors we need for survival: feeding, reproduction and caring for our young, and fight or flight responses
81
vagus nerve
the longest nerve of the autonomic nervous system in the human body and comprises sensory and motor fibers

Anatomy and Physiology (20 decks)

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