Nervous System Flashcards by emma anderson

What connects the brain to the spinal chord?

The brainstem

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Central Nervous System

CNS

The brain and spinal chord

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How is communication to the peripheral nervous system completed?

Through the spinal chord

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What are meninges?

Membranes around the brain
They protect the CNS
3 layers

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Dura mater

One of the 3 layers of meninges

“Tough mother” contains bv and nerves. It’s the outer most membrane found directly inside the skull

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Arachnoid mater

One of the 3 meninges
“Spiderweb like”
Space between arachnoid and pia mater contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

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Pia Mater

One of the 3 meninges
“Faithful mother”
Encapusulates blood vessels and contains many nerves. Attaches directly to the brain surface.

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Subdural hematoma

Rupture of blood vessels below the dura mater, usally a result from a blow to the head.
Can cause brain damage

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Meningitis

Inflamation of the meninges. Caused by bacteria or viruses. Can be fatal.

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Where are the four ventricles and what are the know as?

2 lateral, known as the 1st & 2nd ventricles- they are the largest.
3rd is in midline of the brain beneath the corpus callosum.
4th ventricle is in the brain stem

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Interventricular foramen

Connects with lateral ventricles

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Cerebral aqueduct

Connects 3rd ventricle to brain stem

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What are ventricles and how many are there?

There are 4 ventricles.
They are fluid filled holes in the brain that connect with one another. They are continuous with the central canal of the spinal chord, and they are filled with cerebrospinal fluid

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What secretes cerebrospinal fluid?

Choroid plexus

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What is the choroid plexus?q

Cauliflowerlike masses of specialized capillaries from the pia mater that secretes cerebrospinal fluid

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What surrounds the brain and spinal cord between the anachnoid mater and pia mater?

Cerebrospinal fluid

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What circulates in ventricles, central canal of spinal cord, and the subarachnoid space?

Cerebrospinal fluid

What color is cerebrospinal fluid?

Clear, and similar to blood plasma

What is the volume of cerebrospinal fluid?

120-140 ml in nervous system but 500 ml is produced daily. Excess cerebrospinal fluid is absorb by arachnoid granulations (villi) fingerlike structures that project from the subarachnoid space into the dural sinuses.

Cerebrospinal fluid not only protects, it is also….

Nutritive

Cerebrospinal fluid also helps maintain what?

Helps maintain stable ion concentration in the central nervous system

What is excessive or wasted cerebrospinal fluid absorb by?

Arachnoid granulations (villi) fingerlike structures that project from the subarachnoid space into the dural sinuses

Cerebrospinal fluid pressure doesn’t build up or get too low because?

Cerebrospinal fluid is secreted and absorbed constantly

What can interfere with cerebrospinal fluid?

Infections, tumors, and blood clots

What measures cerebrospinal fluid pressure?

Spinal taps

What happens if cerebrospinal fluid pressure too high?

A drain may be put in

What is hydrocephalus?

Water on the brain. A permanent shunt may be put in

What is the spinal cord?

Slender column of nervous tissue continuous with brain & brainstem. Extends downward thru vertebral canal. Starts at the foramen magnum & ends at the first & second lumbar vertebrae interspace (L1/L2)

What are the functions of the spinal cord?

Conduit for nerve impulses to and from the brain and brainstem. It's the center for spinal reflexes. It's the relay station for impulses to and from the central nervous system.

What are reflexes?

Reflexes are automatic, subconscious responses to stimuli within or outside the body

Why are reflexes used?

To assess conditions of the nervous system. To see if a drug is working in anesthesiology. To see location and extent and damage to system. Various reflexes used are Babinski reflex, biceps, triceps, abdominal, & ankle jerk.

Ascending tracts of spinal cord do what?

Conduct sensory impulses to the brain.

Descending tracts of the spinal cord do what?

Conduct motor impulses from the brain to motor neurons reaching muscles and glands.

What are the functions of the brain?

Interprets sensations, determines perception, stores memory, reasoning/decision making, coordinates muscular movements, regulates visceral activities, determines personality/and center of emotions etc

What does a CT scan test for?

Tests for problems in the brain, mostly tumors

What is a PET test?

Positron emission tomography

What does a PET test for?

Tests for activities within varies areas of the brain. Can be used for diagnosis and to discover various brain functions.

What is a concussion?

Altered mental state, usually tempory, due to mild brain trauma

What is epilepsy?

It's an "electrical storm" in the brain. Neurons misfire. If severe, one solution is to do a split brain operation, by very young age.

What is post tramatic stress disorder

Affects the amygdala. The amygdala remains stimulated and the person can't let go of psychological trama

What is muscular dystrophy

It's a neuromuscular disease due to lack of distrophin

What is parkinson's disease?

This problem occurs in the basal ganglia, lack of dopamine, severe tremors