Nervous System Flashcards
(138 cards)
1
Q
Acetylcholine
A
- Neurotransmitter used in the preganglion neuron in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
- Associated with somatic nerves and parasympathetic nervous system effects
- Has a stimulatory effect in GI tract, increases secretions and muscle contractions in the esophagus, stomach, ruminant forestomachs, intenstine, and colon
2
Q
Acetylcholinesterase
A
Enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine
3
Q
Adrenergic Neurons
A
Neurons that secrete catecholamines (i.e. norepi) as their neurotransmitter
4
Q
Afferent
A
Directional terms meaning toward some reference point
5
Q
Afferent Nerve
A
Nerve that carries impulses toward the CNS
6
Q
All-or-Nothing Principle
A
Principle that an individual muscle fiber either contracts completely or not at all
7
Q
Alpha 1-adrenergic Receptors
A
Receptors associated with the sympathetic nervous system response that cause vasoconstriction when stimulated by catecholamines
8
Q
Anesthesia
A
Complete loss of sensation
9
Q
Antiparasitic drug
A
Drug that kills parasites
10
Q
Arachnoid
A
Delicate, weblike layer of the meninges between the dura mater and pia mater
11
Q
Autonomic Nervous System
A
- Part of the nervous system that controls smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, or endocrine glands automatically without conscious control.
- Has both motor and sensory branches
12
Q
Beta 1-Adrenergic Receptors
A
Receptors associated with the sympathetic nervous system that cause an increase in rate and force of contraction of the heart when stimulated by catecholamines
13
Q
Beta 2-Adrenergic Receptors
A
Receptors associated with the sympathetic nervous system that cause dilation of bronchioles and vasodilation of some blood vessels when stimulated by catecholamines
14
Q
Blood-Brain Barrier
A
- Functional barrier between the capillaries in the brain and the nervous tissue
- Composed of glial cells and unfenestrated capillaries
15
Q
Brainstem
A
- Connection between the spinal cord and the rest of the brain
- Composed of the medulla oblongata, the pons, and midbrain
- Involves in autonomic control of heart, respiration, blood vessel diameter, swallowing, and vomiting
16
Q
Catecholamines
A
Group of neurotransmitters that include norepi, epi, dopamine, etc.
17
Q
Central Canal
A
Small diameter canal in the center of the spinal cord that is continuous with the ventricles of the brain and that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid
18
Q
Cerebellum
A
- Second largest component of the brain
2. Allows the body to have coordinated movement, balance, posture, and complex reflexes
19
Q
Cerebral Cortex
A
Gray matter that makes up the outer layer of the cerebrum
20
Q
Cerebral Hemispheres
A
Two halves of the cerebrum
21
Q
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
A
Fluid that bathes and protects the brain and spinal cord from the hard inner surface of the skull and spinal vertebrae
22
Q
Cerebrum
A
- Portion of the brain responsible for ‘higher order’ behaviors (i.e. learning, awareness, etc.)
- Receives and interprets sensory info, initiates conscious nerve impulses to skeletal muscles, and integrates neuron activity that is associated with communication, expression of emotion, learning, memory, recall, etc.
23
Q
Cholinergic Neurons
A
Neurons that secrete acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter
24
Q
Cholinergic receptor
A
- Receptors for acetylcholine
2. Muscarinic or Nicotinic receptors
25
Conduction of the Action Potential
Another name for nerve impulse
26
Contralateral Reflex
Reflexes that are initiated on one side of the body and travel to the opposite side to produce their effect
27
Contrast Radiography
Rads taken after a contrast medium has been introduced to the body to make organs/structures more visible on the image
28
Corpus Callosum
White fibers that connects and provide communication between the two cerebral hemispheres
29
Cranial Nerves
1. 12 pairs of nerves originating directly from the brain
| 2. May be sensory, motor, or mixed
30
Cranial-Sacral System
‘Parasympathetic Nervous System’
31
Crossed Extensor Reflex
Reflex initiated by a stimulation of a limb that results in extension of the limb on the other side of the body
32
Depolarization
1. Reduction in the voltage across a neuron or muscle cell membrane from its normal polarized state (resting membrane potential)
2. Results in an action potential (nerve impulse) in a neuron or a contraction initiative in a muscle cell
33
Diencephalon
1. Nervous system passageway between the primitive brainstem and the cerebrum
2. Contains the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pituitary
34
Dopamine
A catecholamine neurotransmitter
35
Dorsal Horn
Area of the spinal cord’s gray matter “butterfly” where the neurons that send afferent nerve impulses to the brain or spinal cord are located
36
Dorsal Nerve Root
Branch off each side of the spinal cord between each set of adjacent vertebrae that conducts sensory impulses into the spinal cord from the periphery of the body
37
Dura Mater
Thick outermost layer of the meninges that covers the brain and spinal cord and is considered to be the toughest part of the meninges
38
Effector Cell
A cell that carries out some action when stimulated by a nerve impulse
39
Efferent
Direction terms meaning away from some reference point
40
Efferent Nerve
Nerve that Carrie’s impulses away from the CNS
41
Enzyme
1. Specialized globular protein that carries out or speeds up chemical reactions in the body by acting as a catalyst and lowering the temp necessary for the reaction to take place
2. Specific enzyme are exclusive to specific reactions
2. They are never changes or used up in a reaction that may affect
42
Epidural Anesthesia
Admin of anesthetic agents into the space between the dura mater and the surrounding bone of the vertebrae
43
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters that cause excitation or depolarization of other neurons or target tissues
44
Fenestrations
Small openings in the walls of glomerular capillaries that allow certain molecules to leave that would normally be too big to escape
45
Fissures
Deep grooves in the cerebral cortex
46
GABA
1. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
| 2. Inhibitory neurotransmitter
47
Ganglion/Ganglia
Cluster of neuron cell bodies outside the CNS
48
General Anesthesia
Complete loss of sensory perception accompanied by loss of consciousness
49
Glial Cells
Cells in the nervous system that support and protect neurons
50
Glycine
Inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the spinal cord
51
Gray Matter
Part of the CNS made up of neuron cell bodies
52
Gyrus/Gyri
Folds that provide the wrinkles appearance of the surface of the cerebral hemispheres
53
Hypermetria
A condition in which voluntary movements become jerky and exaggerated
54
Hyperreflexive
Reflex response that is more pronounced than normal
55
Hyporeflexive
Reflex response that is less pronounced than normal
56
Hypothalamus
Portion of the diencephalon that has extensive links to the brain and pituitary gland and functions as a bridge between the nervous and endocrine systems
57
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters that depress or decrease depolarization of other neurons or target tissues
58
Interneuron
A short neuron that connects two other neurons, and is usually mentioned in the context of the reflex arc
59
Ipsilateral Reflex
When the reflex stimulus and response are on the same side of the body
60
Ivermectin
Antiparasitic drug that works by interfering with parasites’ nervous and muscular systems functioning, which paralyzes and kills them
61
Lobe
Different divisions of the cerebral hemispheres that specialize in certain functions and are separated by sulci
62
Local Anesthesia
Loss of sensation from a localized area of the body
63
Longitudinal Fissure
Prominent groove that divides the cerebrum into right and left cerebral hemispheres
64
Medulla Oblingata
Part of the brainstem just above the spinal cord
65
Meninges
1. Set of connective tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord
2. Has three layers (dura mater, arachnoid, pia mater)
66
Midbrain
“Mesencephalon”
67
Mixed Nerve
Nerve made up of both sensory nerve fibers and motor nerve fibers
68
Motor Nerve
Nerve that carries efferent nerve impulses to muscles and tissues
69
Motor Neuron
A neuron carrying impulses from the CNS to a peripheral effector organ or muscle
70
Muscarinic Receptor
A type of Cholinergic receptor that binds with acetylcholine in the parasympathetic nervous system
71
Muscle Spindle
Sensory organ located within muscle that detects stretch of the muscle
72
Myelin
1. Fatty substance that covers some axons of neurons
2. Appears white
3. Makes up “white matter” of the brain and spinal cord
73
Myelin Sheath
Cell membrane of glial cells wrapped around an axon that increases the speed of impulse conduction along the axon
74
Myelography
Contrast study of the subarachnoid space to better visualize the outline of the spinal cord
75
Nerve Impulse
Wave of cell membrane depolarization that travels from the point of stimulus down the length of a nerve cell process
76
Neurotransmitter
A chemical released be the presynaptic neuron that diffuses across the synaptic cleft, binds with the receptor on the postsynaptic membrane, and stimulates or inhibits the postsynaptic neuron.
77
Nicotinic Receptor
Type of Cholinergic receptor that binds with acetylcholine
78
Nodes of Ranvier
Myelin gaps in the covering of the axon between Schwann cells that are involved in rapid conduction of nerve impulses along the axon
79
Norepinephrine
Hormone secreted by the medulla of the adrenal gland under stimulation by the sympathetic nervous system that produces the fight-or-flight response
80
Nuceli
Clusters of neuron cell bodies within the CNS
81
Oligodendrocytes
Glial cells in the brain and spinal cord whose cell membrane forms the myelin sheath for axons in the CNS
82
Palpebral Reflex
Reflex closure of the eyelids when the medial canthus of the eyelids is touched
83
Parasympathetic Nervous System
1. Part of autonomic nervous system that’s responsible for rest-and-restore response
2. “Craniosacral system”
84
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Nerves outside the CNS (brain and spinal cord)
85
Pia Mater
Innermost layer of the meninges
86
Pituitary Gland
1. Master endocrine gland
2. Pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain that is made up of the anterior and posterior pituitary gland
3. Anterior pituitary gland produces seven known hormones
4. Posterior pituitary gland stores and releases two hormones from the hypothalamus
87
Pons
Part of the brainstem located just rostral to the medulla oblongata
88
Postganglionic Neuron
1. The second of two neurons that make up the nerves of the autonomic nervous system
2. Originates from a ganglion and carries the impulse from its target organ or tissue
89
Postsynaptic Neurom
Neuron that contains receptors to a neurotransmitter, that causes depolarization or inhibition of depolarization of the neuron when the neurotransmitter binds
90
Preganglionic Neuron
The first of two neurons that make up the nerves of the autonomic nervous system
91
Presynaptic Neuron
The neuron that is stimulated by the depolarization wave to release a neurotransmitter into the synapse
92
Pupillary Light Reflex (PLR)
Reflex in which light is shone into one eye and the pupils in both eyes constrict
93
Receptor
A specialized protein to which neurotransmitters bind
94
Reflex
A rapid, automatic response to a stimulus, intended to protect the body and maintain homeostasis
95
Reflex Arc
Composed of the sensory receptor, sensory neuron, interneurons, motor neurons, and target tissue or organ involved with a stimulus and reflex response
96
Refractory Period
Period in the depolarization-repolarization cycle when the neuron cannot be stimulated to depolarize (absolute refractory period) or can only be depolarized with a greater than normal stimulation (relative refractory period)
97
Repolarization
The process following depolarization wherein potassium ions diffuse rapidly out of the neuron
98
Resting Membrane Potential
The electric charge of some cells at rest, caused by differing concentrations of ions inside and outside the cell membrane
99
Resting State
1. State of the neuron before stimulation
| 2. When more sodium ions are outside the cell membrane than inside, and more potassium ions are inside the cell
100
Saltatory Conduction
Skipping the depolarization wave in a myelinated axon from one node of Ranvier to another
101
Schwann Cells
Glial cells associated with peripheral nerves whose cellular membrane forms the myelin sheath for axons in the PNS
102
Sodium-potassium Pump
Active transport molecule that moves sodium molecules out of the neuron and potassium molecules into the neuron to maintain the resting state
103
Soma
1. Cell body of a neuron
| 2. “Perikaryon”
104
Somatic Nervous System
1. Conscious or voluntary nervous system controlling skeletal muscle
2. Somatic motor function = efferent
3. Somatic sensory function = afferent
105
Somatic Reflex
A reflex resulting in the stimulation or inhibition of skeletal muscle contraction
106
Stretch Reflex
Reflex initiated by stretch receptors within a muscle that results in contraction of the muscle to compensate for stretching
107
Sulcus/Sulci
Shallow grooves in the cerebral cortex
108
Sympathetic Ganglion Chain
Series of ganglia located outside the thoracolumbar area of the spinal column and associated with the sympathetic nervous system
109
Sympathetic Nervous System
1. Part of the autonomic nervous system
2. Responsible for fight-or-flight response
3. “Thoracolumbar system”
110
Synapse
Junction between two neurons or between a neuron and a target cell
111
Synaptic Cleft
Physical gap between two communicating neurons or between a neuron and its target cell
112
Synaptic End Bulb
1. Button at the end of the axon that releases the neurotransmitter
2. “Synaptic knob,” “Terminal Bouton”
113
Synaptic Transmission
Continuation of the nerve impulse across the synapse from one neuron to another or from one neuron to its target cell
114
Synergist
1. Something that aids in the action of something else
| 2. A synergistic muscle contracts at the same time as a prime mover and assists it in carrying out its action
115
Target
An organ or tissue that responds to a particular hormone
116
Telodendron
Branched end of an axon in which each branch ends in a neurotransmitter-filled synaptic end bulb
117
Terminal Bouton
Button at the end of an axon that releases neurotransmitters
118
Thalamus
Part of the diencephalon that acts as a relay station for regulating sensory impulses to the cerebrum
119
Thoracolumbar System
1. Sympathetic nervous system
120
Threshold
Required level of stimulation necessary to initiate an action potential
121
Threshold Stimulus
Minimum stimulus that will generate a nerve impulse
122
Ventral Horn
Area of the spinal cord’s gray matter “butterfly” where the neurons that transmit efferent nerve impulses to the spinal nerves are located
123
Ventral Nerve Root
Branch off each side of the spinal cord between each pair of adjacent vertebrae that conducts motor impulses from the spinal cord to effectors in the periphery of the body
124
Wave of Depolarization
1. The opening of sodium channels, starting at the point of stimulus and continuing down the length of the neuron to the end of the axon
2. “Nerve impulse”
125
White Matter
Myelinated axons in the CNS
126
Withdrawal Reflex
1. Reflex arc in which a painful stimulus in the skin causes contraction of the affected limb
2. “Flexor reflex”
127
Cranial Nerve I
1. “Olfactory”
2. Sensory
3. Aids in smell
128
Cranial Nerve II
1. “Optic”
2. Sensory
3. Aids in vision
129
Cranial Nerve III
1. “Oculomotor”
2. Motor
3. Aids in eye movement, pupil size, focusing lens
130
Cranial Nerve IV
1. “Trochlear”
2. Motor
3. Aids in eye movement
131
Cranial Nerve V
1. “Trigeminal”
2. Sensory & motor
3. Aids in sensations from head and teeth, chewing
132
Cranial Nerve VI
1. “Abducent”
2. Motor
3. Aids in eye movement
133
Cranial Nerve VII
1. “Facial”
2. Sensory & motor
3. Aids in face and scalp movement, salivation, tears, and taste
134
Cranial Nerve VIII
1. “Vestibulocochlear”
2. Sensory
3. Aids in balance and hearing
135
Cranial Nerve IX
1. “Glossopharyngeal”
2. Sensory & motor
3. Aids in tongue movement, swallowing, salivation, taste
136
Cranial Nerve X
1. “Vagus”
2. Sensory & motor
3. Aids in sensory from GI tract and respiratory tree
4. Aids in motor to larynx, pharynx, parasympathetic system
5. Aids in motor to abdominal and thoracic organs
137
Cranial Nerve XI
1. “Accessory”
2. Motor
3. Aids in head movement, accessory motor with vagus
138
Cranial Nerve XII
1. “Hypoglossal”
2. Motor
3. Aids in tongue movement
