Nervous System Flashcards
Central Nervous System
brain and spinal cord.
What is the CNS derived from?
neuroectoderm
Peripheral Nervous System
nerves and ganglia
What is the PNS derived from?
neural crest cells
Nerves
carry signals from the CNS to the target tissues.
Ganglia
collection of neurons that relay signals to target signals
Parts of Neuron
cell body (soma), nucleus, dendrites, axon, axon terminals
Dendrites
receive signals from other tissues or nerves and relay them to the nucleus for processing
Axon
signals head away from the nucleus on their way to other nerves or effector tissues
Axon Terminals
signal passed to another neuron at a synapse or transferred to effecter tissues at neuromuscular junctions
Neuroglia
cells that support and surround neurons. Provide half the mass of the cells. Provide mechanical and metabolic support
Gray Matter
parts of the brain with a high density of neuronal cell bodies. Unevenly sized neurons
White Matter
where there are clusters of neurons’ axons
Astrocytes
the most numerous neuroglial cells in the gray matter. Protect and nurture neurons, fill much of the space between neurons. Surround blood vessels to form blood-brain barrier
Microglia
mesenchymal cells. Have immune function and are considered part of the macrophage-monocyte defense system
Ependymal Cells
cuboidal cells that line the ventricles of the brain and spinal canal. May have cilia or micorvilli
Oligodendrocytes
most numerous neuroglial cells in white matter. Surround axons and form the myelin.
Schwann Cell
neuroglial cells in white matter of PNS
Nodes of Ranvier
gaps between Schwann Cells
Histologic appearance of myelin
myelin is fatty and lost in processing so all you see are clear spaces surrounded by the pink of the Schwann cytoplasm
Cross Section
tiny pink circles = axons
Surrounded by clear space = myelin
Scattered nuclei
Longitudinal Section
pink lines (axons) surrounded by bubbly clear spaces (myelin) and some pink stuff (Schwann cytoplasm). Scattered nuclei
Choroid Plexus
makes the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes and nurtures CNS.
What reabsorbs cerebrospinal fluid?
arachnoid villi