Nervous System Flashcards
(163 cards)
Is the optic nerve similar to the rest of the cranial nerves?
No, it is essentially an ‘extension’ of the brain and moves anteriorly
Name the types of glial cells.
Astrocytes Schwann Cells Oligodendrocytes Ependymal Cells Microglia
What are components of a neuron?
Dendrites (signal entry), nucleus, cell body, axon, possible myelin sheath around it, axon terminus
What are the categories of neurons in terms of action potential propagation?
Unipolar (sensory neuron)
Bipolar (interneuron)
Multipolar (Motor neuron, interneuron, pyramidal cells)
What are Astrocytes important in?
Structural support and forming the blood-brain barrier
Star shaped
What are Schwann Cells important for and where are they located?
Apart of PNS
Enable fast signal transduction due to myelination
Involved in Multiple Sclerosis
What are Oligodendrocytes important for and where are they located?
In CNS
Enable fast signal transduction due to myelination
Involved in Guillain-Barre Syndrome
What are Ependymal Cells important for and where are they located?
Found in ventricle of brain
Help with circulation and production of CFS
What are microglia important for?
Immune protection- innate immunity, similar to macrophages
What is a glioma?
A type of brain tumour.
Glioblastoma is an example of a very aggressive form of cancer (grade 4 glioma) within the brain
What is grey matter, where is it found in brain/spinal cord, and what does it contain?
Has more cell bodies, dendrites, axon termini, unmyelinated
Found internally within spinal cord, and on periphery of brain
Contain glial cells and some blood vessels
What is white matter, where is it found in brain/spinal cord, and what does it contain?
More matter that contains myelinated axons
Found internally in brain, and on periphery of spinal cord.
Contain glial cells and some blood vessels
How many neurons and synapses are in the brain?
86 billion
100-500 trillion synapses
What is the weight of the brain?
1.5kg
How does folding help the brain?
Helps get more material into a small space
What are the sulci and gyri
Divide the brain into specific lobes
Sulcus are grooves
Gyri are ridges
What are the different lobes of the brain?
Frontal Parietal Temporal Occipital Deep limbic lobe
What are the different areas of the brain from developmental origin?
Cerebrum (telencephalon) Diencephalon (gives rise to hypo/thalamus) Midbrain (mesencephalon) Pons (metencephalon) Cerebellum (metencephalon) Medulla Oblongata (myelencephalon)
What does the brainstem do?
Consciousness, breathing, heart rate
How is the brainstem divided?
Midbrain, Pons, Medulla
How is the midbrain related to parkinsons?
It contains the Substantia Nigra, which is impacted in Parkinson’s disease
This area degenerates and results in problems with motor function
What is the function of the spinothalamic tract and medial lemniscus, and where are they found?
Within the midbrain of the brainstem
Aid in conduction of impulses between the brain and body
What is the cerebral aqueduct?
Found in the midbrain, dorsal to the pons of the brainstem
A part of the ventricular system connecting the 3rd and 4th ventricles
Where do most cranial nerves emerge from?
Brainstem