MT CH7 normal structures and function

Question 1

What is the term for carrying toward the CNS?

Answer 1

afferent

The root ‘fer’ means ‘to carry’.

Question 2

What is the middle layer of the meninges called?

Answer 2

arachnoid mater

Named from the Greek word for spider, as it resembles a spider web.

Question 3

What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulate?

Answer 3

Involuntary activities

It controls smooth muscles, cardiac muscle, and glands.

Question 4

What is the function of an axon?

Answer 4

Conducts impulses away from the cell body

Question 5

What does CNS stand for?

Answer 5

central nervous system

Question 6

What is the role of the cerebellum?

Answer 6

Coordinates movement and maintains balance and posture

The cerebellum means ‘little brain’.

Question 7

What is the cerebral cortex?

Answer 7

The thin surface layer of gray matter of the cerebrum

Question 8

Identify the large upper portion of the brain.

Answer 8

cerebrum

Question 9

What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) responsible for?

Answer 9

Circulates in and around the brain and spinal cord for protection

Question 10

How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

Answer 10

12 pairs

Question 11

What is the function of a dendrite?

Answer 11

Conducts impulses toward the cell body

Question 12

What is contained within the diencephalon?

Answer 12

Thalamus, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland

Question 13

What is the dura mater?

Answer 13

The strong, fibrous outermost layer of the meninges

Question 14

What does efferent mean?

Answer 14

Carrying away from a given point

It refers to motor neurons and nerves carrying impulses away from the CNS.

Question 15

Define ganglion.

Answer 15

A collection of neuron cell bodies outside the CNS

Question 16

What is gray matter?

Answer 16

Unmyelinated tissue of the nervous system

Question 17

What is a gyrus?

Answer 17

A raised convolution of the surface of the cerebrum

Question 18

What is the hypothalamus responsible for?

Answer 18

Controls the pituitary gland and maintains homeostasis

Question 19

What is an interneuron?

Answer 19

Any neuron located between a sensory and a motor neuron in a neural pathway

Question 20

What is the medulla oblongata?

Answer 20

The portion of the brain that connects with the spinal cord and controls respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Often called simply medulla.

Question 21

What are meninges?

Answer 21

The three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Singular: meninx.

Question 22

Where is the midbrain located?

Answer 22

The part of the brainstem between the diencephalon and the pons; contains centers for coordination of reflexes for vision and hearing.

Question 23

What does ‘motor’ refer to in the nervous system?

Answer 23

Describes efferent neurons and nerves that carry impulses away from the CNS.

Question 24

What is myelin?

Answer 24

A whitish, fatty substance that surrounds certain axons of the nervous system.

Question 25

What are neuroglia?

Answer 25

The support cells of the nervous system; also called glial cells.

Question 26

Define a neuron.

Answer 26

The basic unit of the nervous system; a nerve cell.

Question 27

What is a neurotransmitter?

Answer 27

A chemical that transmits energy across a synapse; examples include norepinephrine, acetylcholine, serotonin, and dopamine.

Question 28

What is a nerve?

Answer 28

A bundle of neuron fibers outside the CNS.

Question 29

What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 29

It reverses the response to stress and restores homeostasis; slows heart rate and respiration rate, and stimulates digestive, urinary, and reproductive activities.

Question 30

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Answer 30

The portion of the nervous system outside the CNS.

Question 31

What is the pia mater?

Answer 31

The innermost layer of the meninges.

Question 32

What is the pons?

Answer 32

A rounded area on the ventral surface of the brainstem; contains fibers that connect brain regions.

Question 33

Define a reflex.

Answer 33

A simple, rapid, and automatic response to a stimulus.

Question 34

What is a root in the context of spinal nerves?

Answer 34

A branch of a spinal nerve that connects with the spinal cord; includes dorsal (posterior) and ventral (anterior) roots.

Question 35

What does 'sensory' refer to?

Answer 35

Pertaining to the senses or sensation; describes afferent neurons and nerves that carry impulses toward the CNS.

Question 36

What is the somatic nervous system?

Answer 36

The division of the nervous system that controls skeletal (voluntary) muscles.

Question 37

What is the spinal cord?

Answer 37

The nervous tissue contained within the spinal column; extends from the medulla oblongata to the second lumbar vertebra.

Question 38

What are spinal nerves?

Answer 38

The 31 pairs of nerves that connect with the spinal cord.

Question 39

What is a sulcus?

Answer 39

A shallow furrow or groove on the surface of the cerebrum.

Question 40

What is the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 40

The part of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes a response to stress, increases heart rate and respiration rate, and delivers more blood to skeletal muscles.

Question 41

What is a synapse?

Answer 41

The junction between two neurons; also the junction between a motor neuron and a muscle or gland.

Question 42

What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 42

Receives all sensory impulses, except those for the sense of smell, and directs them to the proper portion of the cerebral cortex. ## Footnote Root: thalam/o

Question 43

Define 'tract' in the context of the nervous system.

Answer 43

A bundle of neuron fibers within the CNS.

Question 44

What is a ventricle?

Answer 44

A small cavity in the brain where CS is formed or one of the two lower pumping chambers of the heart. ## Footnote Root: ventricul/o

Question 45

What does the visceral nervous system refer to?

Answer 45

The autonomic nervous system.

Question 46

What is white matter in the nervous system?

Answer 46

Myelinated tissue of the nervous system.