Functional Neuroanatomy Flashcards
(181 cards)
1
Q
neuron
A
nerve cell; basic unit of nervous system; composed of a cell body, dendrites (receptive extensions) and axons (transmitting extensions)
2
Q
glial cells
A
nonneuronal brain cells that provide structure, nutritional and other types of support to the brain
3
Q
neuron doctrine
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hypothesis that the brain is composed of separate cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically and functionally; Cajal’s research
4
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synapses
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tiny gap between neurons where information is passed from one to the other
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mitochondrion
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a cellular organelle that provides metabolic energy for the cell’s processes
6
Q
cell nucleus
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the spherical central structure of a cell that contains chromosomes
7
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ribosomes
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structures in the cell body where genetic information is translated to produce proteins
8
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dendrites
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serve as input zone, where they receive information from other neurons
9
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cell body
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(soma) serves as integration zone where inputs are combined and transformed
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axons
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leads away from cell body, serves as conduction zone and transmits information away from body in electrical impulse
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axon terminal
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transmit neuron’s activity to other cells at synapses
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golgi stains
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fill whole cell including details like dendritic spines
13
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Nissl stains
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outline all the cell bodies because the dyes are attracted to RNA
14
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autoradiography
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a histological technique that shows the distribution of radioactive chemicals in tissues
15
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immunocytochemistry
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a method for detecting a particular protein in tissues in which an antibody recognizes and binds to the protein and then chemical methods are used to leave a visible reaction product around each antibody
16
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in situ hybridization
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a method for detecting particular RNA transcripts in tissue sections by providing a nucleotide probe that is complementary to, and will therefore hybridize with, the transcript of interest
17
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immediate early genes
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a class of genes that show rapid but transient increases in expression in cells that have become activated
18
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c-fos
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an immediate early gene commonly used to identify activated neurons
19
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horseradish peroxidase
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an enzyme found in horseradish and other plants that is used to determine the cells of origin of a particular set of axons
20
Q
multipolar neurons
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have many dendrites and a single axon; most common
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bipolar neurons
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have a single dendrite at one end of the cell and a single axon at the other end; sensory systems like vision
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unipolar neurons
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have a single extension that branches in two directions; transmit touch information from the body into the spinal cord
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motoneuron
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nerve cell that transmits motor messages, stimulating a muscle or gland
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sensory neuron
A
a neuron that is directly affected by changes in the environment, such as light, odor or touch
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interneuron
a neuron that receives input from and sends output to other neurons; not a sensory or motor neuron
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arborization
the elaborate branching of the dendrites of some neurons
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presynaptic
region of synapse where the neurotransmitter is released
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postsynaptic
region of synapse where the neurotransmitter is received and responded to
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synaptic cleft
space between presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes
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synaptic vesicle
spherical structure that contains moleucules of neurotransmitter
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neurotransmitter
the chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication between neurons
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receptors
a protein that binds and reacts to molecules of a neurotransmitter or hormone
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neural plasticity
ability of nervous system to change in response to experience or the environment
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axon hillock
cone-shaped projection from cell body; gathers and integrates information from synapses and converts information into electrical impulses
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axon collaterals
branches of axons that allows the neuron to influence a number of postsynaptic cells
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axonal transport
the transportation of materials from the neuronal cell body to distant regions in the dendrites and axons, and from the axon terminals back to the cell body
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astrocyte
a star shaped glial cell with numerous processes that run in all directions; on end of blood vessels regulating local blood flow to neurons
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microglial cells
remove cellular debris from injured or dead cells; key component in neural pain systems; maintenance of synapses (Alzheimer's disease)
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oligondendrocyte
a glial cell that forms myelin in the central nervous system
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Schwann cell
a glial cell that forms myelin in the peripheral nervous system
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myelin
fatty insulation around an axon; formed by glial cells; improves speed of conduction of nerve impulses
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node of Ranvier
a gap between successive segments of myelin sheath where the axon membrane is exposed
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edema
swelling of tissue, especially in the brain in response to injury; caused by glial cells (astrocytes) changing sizes
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multiple sclerosis
a disorder characterized by widespread degeneration of myelin
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gross neuroanatomy
anatomical features of the nervous system that are apparent to the naked eye
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peripheral nervous system
portion of the nervous system that includes all the nerves and neurons outside the brain and spinal cord
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central nervous system
portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord
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nerve
a collection of axons bundled together outside the CNS
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motor nerve
a nerve that conveys neural activity to muscle tissue and causes it to contract
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sensory nerve
a nerve that conveys sensory information from the peripheral into the CNS
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cranial nerve
a nerve that is connected directly to the brain
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spinal nerve
somatic nerve; a nerve that emerges from the spinal cord
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autonomic nervous system
part of the peripheral nervous system that supplies neural connections to glands and to smooth muscles of internal organs
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cranial nerve I
olfactory- smell
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cranial nerve II
optic- vision
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cranial nerve III
oculomotor- muscles that move the eyes
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cranial nerve IV
trochlear- muscles that move the eyes
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cranial nerve VI
abducens- muscles that move the eyes
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cranial nerve V
trigeminal- face, sinuses, teeth, jaw muscles
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cranial nerve VII
facial- tongue, soft palate, facial muscles, salivary glands, tear glands
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cranial nerve VIII
vestibulocochlear- inner ear, hearing and balance
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cranial nerve IX
glossopharyngeal- taste and other mouth sensations, throat muscles
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cranial nerve X
vagus- information from internal organs
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cranial nerve XI
spinal accessory- nerve muscles
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cranial nerve XII
hypoglossal- tongue muscles
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dorsal root
the branch of a spinal nerve entering the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, that carries sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the spinal cord
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ventral root
branch of a spinal nerve, arising from the ventral horn of the spinal cord, that carries motor messages from the spinal cord to the peripheral nervous system
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cervical
topmost 8 segments of the spinal cord in neck region
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thoracic
12 spinal segments below the cervical portion of the spinal cord, corresponding to the chest
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lumbar
5 spinal segments that make up the upper part of the lower back
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sacral
5 spinal segments that make up the lower part of the lower back
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coccygeal
lowest spinal vertebra; tailbone
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autonomic ganglia
collections of nerve cells bodies, belonging to the autonomic division of the peripheral nervous system, that are found in various locations and innervate the major organs
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preganglionic
referring to the neurons in the autonomic nervous system that run from the central nervous system to the autonomic ganglia
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postganglionic
referring to the neurons in the autonomic nervous system that run from the autonomic ganglia to various targets in the body
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sympathetic nervous system
a component of the autonomic nervous system that arises from the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord (flight or flight response)
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sympathetic chain
a chain of ganglia that runs along each side of the spinal column; part of the sympathetic nervous system
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parasympathetic nervous system
a component of the autonomic nervous system that arises from both the cranial nerves and sacral spinal cord (body relax and prepare)
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norepinephrine
noradrenaline; neurotransmitter produced and released by the sympathetic postganglionic neurons to accelerate organ activity; produced in brain stem and found in projections throughout brain
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acetylcholine
a neurotransmitter produced and released by parasympathetic postganglionic neurons, by motorneurons and by neurons throughout the brain
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enteric nervous system
extensive meshlike system of neurons that governs the functioning of the gut
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cerebral hemispheres
the right and left halves of the forebrain
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cerebral cortex
the outer covering of the cerebral hemispheres that consists largely of nerve cell bodies and their branches; complex cognition
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gyrus
a ridged or raised portion of a convoluted brain surface
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sulcus
a furrow of a convoluted brain surface
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frontal lobe
most anterior portion of the cerebral cortex; movement, high-level cognition
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parietal lobe
large regions of cortex lying between the frontal and occipital lobes of each cerebral hemisphere; receive sensory information and participate in spatial cognition, sense of touch
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temporal lobe
large lateral cortical regions of each cerebral hemisphere, continuous with the parietal lobes posteriorly and separated from the frontal lobe by the Slyvian fissure; auditory information, sense of smell, learning and memory
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occipital lobe
large regions of cortex covering much of the posterior part of each cerebral hemisphere; sense of vision
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Slyvian fissure
lateral sulcus; a deep fissure that separates the temporal lobe
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central sulcus
a fissure that divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe
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postcentral gyrus
strip of parietal cortex, that receives somatosensory information from the entire body
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precentral gyrus
strip of frontal cortex that is crucial for motor control
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sagital plane
plane that bisects the body into right and left halves
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coronal plane
plane that divides the body into a front and a back part
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horizontal plane
divides brain into upper and lower parts
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medial
toward middle
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lateral
toward the side
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ipsilateral
same side of body
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contralateral
opposite side of body
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superior
above
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inferior
below
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anterior
rostral; head end
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posterior
caudal; tail end
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proximal
near the center
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distal
toward the end of limb
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afferent
carries information into a region (arrives)
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efferent
carries information away from the region (exits)
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dorsal
towards the back
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ventral
towards the belly
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corpus callosum
main band of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres
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white matter
a shiny layer underneath cortex that consists largely of axons with white myelin sheaths; transmits information
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gray matter
areas of brain that are dominated by cells bodies and are devoid of myelin; processes information
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neural tube
embryonic structure with subdivisions that correspond to the future forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain
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forebrain
anterior division of bain containing cerebral hemispheres, thalamus and hypothalamus
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midbrain
middle division of brain
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hindbrain
rear division of brain which in mature vertebrae contains the cerebellum, pons and medulla
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telencephalon
the frontal subdivision of the forebrain that includes the cerebral hemispheres when fully developed
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diencephalon
posterio part of the forebrain, including the thalamus and hypothalamus
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metencephalon
subdivision of the hindbrain that includes the cerebellum and pons
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cerebellum
structure located at the back of the brain, dorsal to the pons, involved in central regulation of movement
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pons
portion of metencephalon; part of the brainstem connecting midbrain to medulla;
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medulla
posterior part of hindbrain continuous with the spinal cord
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brainstem
region of the brain that consists of the midbrain, the pons and the medulla
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nucleus
a collection of neurons within the CNS
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tract
bundle of axons found within the CNS
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allocortex
brain tissue with three layers or unlayered organization
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pyramidal cell
a type of large nerve cell that has a roughly pyramid-shaped cell body; found in the cerebral cortex
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apical dendrite
the dendrite that extends from a pyramidal cell to the outermost surface of the cortex
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basal dendrite
one of several dendrites on a pyramidal cell that extends horizontally from the cell body
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cortical column
one of the vertical columns that constitute the basic organization of the neocortex
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basal ganglia
a group of forebrain nucleus, globus pallidus, and putamen, found deep within the cerebral hemispheres
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substantia nigra
a brainstem structure in humans that innervates the basal ganglia and is named for its dark pigmentation
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limbic system
widespread group of brain nuclei that innervate each other to form a network; emotion and learning
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amygadala
in medial anterior part of the temporal lobe; emotional regulation
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hippocampus
medial temporal lobe that is important for learning and memory
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fornix
a fiber tract that extends from the hippocampus to the mamillary body
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cingulate gyrus
cortical portion of the limbic system, found in the frontal and parietal midline
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olfactory bulb
anterior projection of the brain that terminates in the upper nasal passages and through small openings in the skull; provides receptors for smell
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thalamus
brain regions that surround the third ventricle; directs incoming information
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hypothalamus
under thalamus; vital functions like hunger, thirst, temperature regulation, sex
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superior colliculi
paired gray matter structures of the dorsal midbrain that receive visual information and are involved in direction of visual gaze and visual attention to intended stimuli
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inferior colliculi
paired gray matter structures of the dorsal midbrain that receive auditory information
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tectum
dorsal portion of the midbrain including the inferior and superior colliculi
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red nucleus
a brainstem structure related to motor control
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reticular formation
an extensive region of the brainstem that is involved in arousal (waking)
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Purkinje cells
a type of nerve cell in the cerebellar cortex
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granule cell
type of small nerve cell (below Pukinje cells)
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parallel fiber
one of the axons of the granule cells that form the outermost layer of the cerebellar cortex
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meninges
three protective sheets of tissue- dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid that surround the brain and spinal cord
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dura mater
outermost of the thee meninges that surround brain and spinal cord
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pia mater
innermost of the thee meninges that surround brain and spinal cord
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arachoid
thin covering of the brain that lies between the dura mater and pia mater
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cerebrospinal fluid
fluid that fills the cerebral ventricles
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meningitis
an acute inflammation of the meninges, usually caused by viral or bacterial infection
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meningiomas
any of a class of noncancerous tumors arising from the meninges
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ventricular system
a system of fluid filled cavities in the brain
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lateral ventricle
a complexly shaped lateral portion of the ventricular system within each hemisphere of the brain
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choroid plexus
a highly vascular portion of the lining of ventricles that secretes cerebrospinal fluid
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third ventricle
midline ventricle that conducts cerebrospinal fluid from the lateral ventricles to the fourth ventricle
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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
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carotid arteries
major arteries that ascend the left and right sides of the neck to the brain, supplying blood to the anterior and middle cerebral arteries
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anterior cerebral arteries
two large arteries, arising from the carotids, that provide blood to the anterior poles and medial surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres
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middle cerebral arteries
two large arteries, arising from the carotids, that provide blood to most of the lateral surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres
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posterior cerebral arteries
two large arteries, arising from the basilar artery, that provide blood to posterior aspects of the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum and brainstem
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vertebral arteries
arteries that ascend the vertebrae, enter the base of the skull, and join together to form the basilar artery
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circle of Willis
a structure at the base of the brain that is formed by joining of the carotid and basilar arteries; may providde an alternate route for blood flow if any o the main arteries to brain are damaged
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stroke
damage to a region of brain tissue that results from blockage or rupture of vessels that supply blood to that region
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blood-brain barrier
mechanisms that make the movement of substances from blood vessels into brain cells more difficult than exchanges in other body organs, thus affording the brain greater protection from exposure to some substances found in the blood
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angiogaphy
a brain imaging technique which a specialized x-ray image of the head is taken shortly after the cerebral blood vessels have been filed with radiopaque dye by means of a catheter
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computerized axial tomography CAT
a noninvasice technique for examining brain structure in humans through computer analysis of X-ray absorption at several positions around the head
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magnetic resonance imaging MRI
noninvasive technique that uses magnetic energy to generate images that reveal some structural details in the living brain
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positron emission tomography PET
a technique for examining brain function by combining tomography with injections of radioactive substances used by the brain
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functional MRI
magnetic resonance imaging that detects changes in blood flow and therefore identifies regions of the brain that are particularly active during a given task
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diffusion tensor imaging DTI
a modified form of MRI imaging in which the diffusion of water in a confined space is exploited to produce images of axonal fiber tracts
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optical imaging
a method for visualizing brain activity in which near-infrared light is passed through the scalp and skull
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transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS
localized, noninvasive stimulation of cortical neurons through the application of strong magnetic fields
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lesions
regions of damage withing brain
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magnetoencephalography MEG
a passive and noninvasive functional brain imaging technique that measures the tiny magnetic fields produced by active neurons, in order to identify regions of the brain that are particularly active during a given task
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social neuroscience
aims to understand brain activity as it relates to our interactions with others
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dyadic functional MRI
employs an MRI scanner that is fitted with specialty designed dual head coils (two people)
