Nervous System Flashcards
The Nervous System
Controls, directs, and coordinates body functions
Central Nervous System (CNS)
- It is the brain and spinal cord
- It has 3 main parts: cerebrum, cerebellum, and the brain stem
Cerebrum
Is the largest part of the brain, includes the right and left hemisphere
Cerebral Cortex
The outside part of the cerebrum, controls voluntary muscle movement
Cerebellum
Coordinates muscle movements
Brain Stem
Connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord and contains message relay centres
Spinal Cord
Bundles of nerves and pathways enclosed in the spinal column. Relays information to and from the brain
Neurological Cell
1 of 2 types of nerve tissue. Supports neurons though nourishment, protection, and insulation
Neurons
Receive, process, and transmit information. Made of 3 parts: dendrite (receives information), cell body (the brain), and axon (links neurons, carries information)
Dendrite
Part of a neuron. Receives information
Cell body
Part of a neuron. Processes information.
Axon
Part of a neuron. Carries information.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Includes all nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord (the CNS).
Automatic Nervous System (ANS)
A specialized part of the PNS. Controls involuntary functions (BP, heart rate, intestinal contractions, etc).
Sympathetic Nervous System
Speeds things up when anxious, nervous, excited. (e.x., heart rate)
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Most active when calm, allows for things such as digestion
The Sensory System
Identifies and interprets all 5 senses. Includes sensory nerves in: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin.
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Brain damage as a result of brain injury, or swelling or bleeding of the brain
Multiple Sclerosis
Progressive neurological disease that affects nerve impulses to and from the brain
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord can be partially (varying degrees of loss of mobility/sensation) or completely severed (paralysis)
Paraplegia
Severing below the thoracic region, loss of mobility/sensation in lower extremities
Quadriplegia
Severing above the thoracic region, loss of mobility/sensation in upper extremities
Epilepsy
Recurrent seizures
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
A progressive, degenerative motor neuron disease. Loss of muscle function, not cognition