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Nervous Systems Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the basic function of the nervous system?

A

To help the body respond to continuous changes in the external and internal environment.

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2
Q

Besides responding to changes, what else does the nervous system do?

A

It controls and integrates the various activities of the body.

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3
Q

What are the three main functions of the nervous system

A

Sensitivity (via receptors), Integration (in the brain), and Motor function (via effectors).

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4
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A
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4
Q

What systems and functions are involved in reacting to external conditions?

A

Somatic nervous system → Somatic sensation → Somatomotor function → Skeletal muscle → Motion.

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5
Q

What systems and functions are involved in responding to internal conditions?

A

Visceral nervous system → Visceral sensitivity → Visceromotor function → Rhythm generator of heart → Heart rate.

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6
Q

What does the Central Nervous System (CNS) consist of?

A

The brain and spinal cord.

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7
Q

Where is the CNS located?

A

In the cranial cavity and spinal canal.

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8
Q

What does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) consist of?

A

Nerve fibres (cranial and spinal nerves) and ganglia outside of the CNS.

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9
Q

What is the main structural difference between the CNS and PNS?

A

The CNS is located within the skull and spine, while the PNS lies outside of it

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10
Q

What is the main function of the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

A

To interpret incoming sensory information and issue outgoing motor instructions.

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11
Q

What do spinal nerves in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) do?

A

Carry impulses to and from the spinal cord.

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12
Q

What do cranial nerves in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) do?

A

Carry impulses to and from the brain.

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13
Q

What is the overall function of the PNS?

A

To conduct impulses to and from the CNS.

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14
Q

What are afferent nerves?

A

Sensory nerves that carry impulses toward the CNS.

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15
Q

What are efferent nerves?

A

Motor nerves that carry impulses away from the CNS.

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16
Q

What does the Somatic Nervous System (SNS) control?

A

Functions under conscious voluntary control (except reflex arcs).

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17
Q

What components does the SNS have?

A

Both motor and sensory components.

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18
Q

What does the SNS supply?

A

All parts of the body that detect changes in the external environment and control movement.

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19
Q

What does the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) consist of?

A

The ANS is a division of the PNS that includes autonomic (involuntary) motor and sensory fibers, as well as autonomic ganglia

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20
Q

What do autonomic impulses do in the ANS?

A

They are conducted away from their cell bodies to effectors in the body viscera.

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21
Q

What do visceral sensory neurons do in the ANS?

A

They bring information to the autonomic nervous system.

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22
Q

What are the two divisions of the ANS?

A

Sympathetic and parasympathetic.

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23
Q
A
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30
What is grey matter made of?
Collections of nerve cell bodies.
31
What is white matter made of?
Axons with glial sheath (myelin).
32
Where is grey matter located in the brain?
On the outer surface (cortex) and in deeper nuclei.
33
Where is grey matter located in the spinal cord?
In the inner region (butterfly or H-shaped area).
34
What does grey matter form in the PNS?
Ganglia
35
What does white matter form in the PNS?
Nerves
36
What are collections of cell bodies in the CNS called?
Nuclei
37
What are collections of cell bodies outside the CNS called?
Ganglia
38
Give an example of a nucleus in the CNS.
Caudate nucleus.
39
Give an example of a ganglion in the PNS
Dorsal root ganglion.
40
How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?
12
41
Where do cranial nerves exit from?
The cranial cavity through foramina in the cranium.
42
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
31
43
Where do spinal nerves arise from?
A specific segment of the spinal cord.
44
Where do spinal nerves exit the vertebral column?
Through the intervertebral foramina.
45
What are other nerves classified as?
Derivatives of either cranial or spinal nerves.
46
What are nerve rootlets?
Groups of axons that connect the CNS with the PNS.
47
What do anterior (ventral) rootlets do?
Exit the spinal cord and carry axons of motor neurons.
48
What do posterior (dorsal) rootlets do?
Enter the spinal cord and carry axons of sensory neurons.
49
What is a spinal nerve made of?
A combination of both sensory and motor neurons — it is a mixed nerve.
50
where is lumbar puncture for spinal anesthesia/ epidural inserted?
between L3/L4 to avoid damaging the spinal cord
51
What is a dermatome?
An area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve.
52
What is a myotome?
A group of muscles supplied by a single spinal nerve.
53
Do dermatomes overlap?
Yes — consecutive dermatomes overlap extensively with each other.
54
What do dorsal primary rami supply?
Nerve fibres to the back, including joints of the vertebral column, back muscles, and overlying skin (epaxial muscles).
55
What does the ventral ramus supply?
Nerve fibres to the skin and muscles of the anterior and lateral trunk, as well as upper and lower limbs.
56
What can ventral rami merge to form at certain levels?
Nerve plexuses.
57
How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?
12 pairs, numbered I–XII.
58
How are cranial nerves named?
Based on their general distribution or function.
59
What order do cranial nerve numbers follow?
Rostral to caudal (front to back of the brain).
60
Where do most cranial nerves originate from?
The brainstem, except for cranial nerves I (Olfactory) and II (Optic).
61
Why is clinical testing of cranial nerves important?
It helps assess their function and detect neurological issues.
62
what is the difference between a nerve and nerve fibre
nerve: the physical structure through which nerve fibres pass nerve fibre: the individual axon of a neuron
63
What do General Somatic Afferent (GSA) fibres do?
Transmit sensory signals like pain, temperature, touch, and pressure from skin, muscles, tendons, and joints.
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what do General Somatic Efferent (GSE) fibres do?
Transmit motor impulses to skeletal muscles.
65
what are 2 types of somatic fibres
- general sensory (general somatic afferent [GSA] fibres) - somatic motor (general somatic efferent [GSE] fibres)
66
What do General Visceral Afferent (GVA) fibres do?
Transmit pain or subconscious visceral reflex sensations (e.g., distension, blood pressure, blood gas) from organs and vessels to the CNS.
67
What do General Visceral Efferent (GVE) fibres do?
Transmit impulses to smooth muscle and glands.
68
what are 2 types of visceral fibres
- Visceral sensory (general visceral afferent [GVA] fibres) - Visceral motor (general visceral efferent [GVE] fibres)
69
What do Special Somatic Afferents do?
Transmit special senses (e.g., vision, balance) from structures like the retina and vestibular apparatus
70
What do Special Visceral Afferents do?
Transmit impulses from taste buds and olfactory mucosa.
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What do Special Visceral Efferents do?
Transmit motor impulses to skeletal muscles derived from branchial arches.
72
what are 3 types of special cranial nerves
- Special somatic afferents - Special visceral afferents - Special visceral efferents
73
What part of the nervous system is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?
The visceral efferent part.
74
What are the two divisions of the ANS?
Sympathetic (thoracolumbar) Parasympathetic (craniosacral)
75
Where are preganglionic neuron cell bodies located?
In the gray matter of the CNS.
76
What do preganglionic neurons synapse with?
Postganglionic neurons
77
Where are postganglionic neuron cell bodies located?
Outside the CNS, in autonomic ganglia.
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Where do postganglionic axons terminate?
On effector organs (e.g., glands, smooth muscle, heart).
79
What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
It is the excitatory system — controls the "fight or flight" response.
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What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
It coordinates "rest and digest" processes.
81
What happens to the pupils in sympathetic vs parasympathetic activity?
Sympathetic: Pupil dilation Parasympathetic: Pupil constriction
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How does salivation differ between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems?
Sympathetic: Decreased, viscous salivation Parasympathetic: Increased, watery salivation
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What happens to heart rate under sympathetic vs parasympathetic control?
Sympathetic: Increased heart rate Parasympathetic: Decreased heart rate
84
What is the effect on the lungs under sympathetic vs parasympathetic control?
Sympathetic: Bronchodilation and decreased secretions Parasympathetic: Bronchoconstriction and increased secretions
85
How is digestion affected under sympathetic vs parasympathetic control?
Sympathetic: Decreased GI secretions and motility Parasympathetic: Increased GI secretions and motility
86
What are the reproductive effects under sympathetic vs parasympathetic control?
Sympathetic: Ejaculation Parasympathetic: Erection
87
What is the effect on the skin under sympathetic vs parasympathetic control
Sympathetic: vasoconstriction, sweating, and piloerection (goosebumps). Parasympathetic effect: None.
88
Where are preganglionic sympathetic neuron cell bodies located?
In the lateral horn of the gray matter of spinal cord levels T1–L2/3.
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Where are postganglionic sympathetic neuron cell bodies located?
Paravertebral ganglia (sympathetic chain), or Prevertebral ganglia (e.g. coeliac, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric).
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Where are preganglionic parasympathetic neuron cell bodies located?
Cranial nerve nuclei of III, VII, IX, X (in the brainstem), and Lateral horn of gray matter of spinal cord levels S2–S4.
91
Where are postganglionic parasympathetic neuron cell bodies located?
In ganglia located close to or within effector organs, e.g.: Ciliary ganglion Pterygopalatine ganglion Submandibular ganglion Otic ganglion
92
Through what structure do preganglionic neurons enter the sympathetic ganglion?
White ramus communicans (white communicating rami).
93
What are the four possible courses of preganglionic fibres within the sympathetic chain?
Ascend and synapse at a higher ganglion Descend and synapse at a lower ganglion Synapse at the ganglion at the same level Pass through without synapsing and travel via splanchnic nerves to prevertebral ganglia
94
What are splanchnic nerves?
Nerves that carry preganglionic fibres to prevertebral ganglia for abdominal/pelvic viscera.
95
After synapsing in the sympathetic ganglion, how do postganglionic neurons return to the spinal nerve?
Via gray ramus communicans (gray communicating rami).

FAH (6 decks)

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