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Behavioral Neuroscience > Neuroanatomy > Flashcards

Flashcards in Neuroanatomy Deck (158)
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1
Q

Neuron

Aka nerve cell

A

The basic unit of the nervous system, each composed of a cell body, receptive extension(s) - dendrites, and a transmitting extension - axon.

2
Q

Glial Cells

Aka: glia or neuro-glia

A

Nonneuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional, and other types of support to the brain.

3
Q

Neuron Doctrine

A

The hypothesis that the brain is composed of separate cells that are distinct structurally, metabolically, and functionally.

4
Q

Synapse

A

The tiny gap between neurons where information is passed from one to the other.

5
Q

Mitochondria

A

Cellular organelles that provide metabolic energy for the cell’s processes

6
Q

Cell Nucleus

A

The spherical central structure of a cell that contains the chromosomes

7
Q

Ribosomes

A

Structures in the cell body where genetic information is translated to produce proteins

8
Q

Dendrite

A

One of the extensions of the cell body that are the receptive surfaces of the neuron

9
Q

Input zone

A

The part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons or from specialized sensory structures. Usually corresponds to the cells dendrites.

10
Q

Cell Body

Aka: soma

A

The region of a neuron that is defined by the presence of the cell nucleus.

11
Q

Integration zone

A

The part of the neuron that initiates nerve electrical activity. Usually corresponds to the neuron’s axon hillock.

12
Q

Axon

A

A single extension from the nerve cell that carries actions potentials from the cell body to other neurons

13
Q

Conduction zone

A

The part of the neuron over which the nerve’s electrical signal may be actively propagated. Usually corresponds to the cell’s axon.

14
Q

Axon collateral

A

A branch of an axon from a single neuron

15
Q

Axon terminal

Aka: synaptic bouton

A

The end of the axon or axon collateral, which forms a synapse on a neuron or other target cell

16
Q

Output zone

A

The part of the neuron, usually corresponding to the axon terminals, at which the cell sends information to another cell

17
Q

Multipolar neuron

A

A nerve cell that has many dendrites and a single axon

18
Q

Bipolar neuron

A

A nerve cell that has a single dendrite at one end and a single axon at the other end

19
Q

Unipolar neuron

Aka: monopolar neuron

A

A nerve cell with a single branch that leaves the cell body and then extends in two directions; one end is the receptive pole, the other end the output zone.

20
Q

Motor neuron

Aka: motoneuron

A

A never sleek that transmits motor messages, stimulating a muscle or gland

21
Q

Sensory neuron

A

A neuron that is directly affected by changes in the environment, such as light, odor, or touch.

22
Q

Interneuron

A

A neuron that is neither a sensory neuron nor a motor neuron; it revives input from and sends output to other neurons

23
Q

Arborization

A

The elaborate branching of the dendrites of some neurons

24
Q

Presynaptic

A

Referring to the region of a synapse that releases neurotransmitter.

25
Q

Postsynaptic

A

Referring to the region of a synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitter

26
Q

Presynaptic membrane

A

The specialized membrane of the axon terminal of the neuron that transmits information by releasing neurotransmitter.

27
Q

Synaptic cleft

A

The space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic elements

28
Q

Postsynaptic membrane

A

The specialized membrane on the surface of the cell that receives information by responding to neurotransmitter from a presynaptic neuron

29
Q

Synaptic vesicle

A

A small, spherical structure that contains molecules of neurotransmitter

30
Q

Neurotransmitter

Aka: synaptic transmitter, chemical transmitter, or transmitter

A

The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication between neurons.

31
Q

Receptor

Aka: receptor molecule

A

A protein that binds and reacts to molecules of a neurotransmitter or hormone

32
Q

Axon hillock

A

A cone-shaped area from which the axon originates out of the cell body. Functionally, the integration zone of the neuron.

33
Q

Innervate

A

To provide neural input

34
Q

Motor protein

A

A specialized kinetic protein molecule that conveys a load, such as a vesicle, from one location to another within a cell

35
Q

Axonal transport

A

The transportation of materials from the neuronal cell body to distant regions in the dendrites and axons, and from the axon terminals back to the cell body.

36
Q

Astrocyte

A

A star-shaped glial cell with numerous processes (extensions) that run in all directions

37
Q

Microglial cells

Aka: microglia

A

Extremely small glial cells that remove cellular debris from injured and dead cells

38
Q

Oligodendrocyte

A

Glial cell that forms myelin in the central beehive system

39
Q

Schwann cell

A

Glia cell that forms myelin in the peripheral nervous system

40
Q

Myelination

A

The process of myelin formation

41
Q

Myelin

A

The fatty insulation around the axon, formed by glial cells, that improves the speed of conduction of action potentials

42
Q

Node of Ranvier

A

A gap between successive segments of the myelin sheath where the axon membrane is exposed

43
Q

Edema

A

The swelling of tissue, such as in the brain, in response to injury

44
Q

Multiple sclerosis

A

Literally, “many scars”. A disorder characterized by wide-spread degeneration of myelin

45
Q

Gross neuroanatomy

A

Anatomical features of the nervous system that are apparent to the naked eye

46
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

The portion of the nervous system that includes all nerves and neurons outside the brain and spinal cord

47
Q

Central nervous system (CNS)

A

The portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord

48
Q

Nerve

A

A collection of axons bundled together outside the central nervous system

49
Q

Motor nerve

A

And nerve that conveys natural activity to muscle tissue and causes it to contract

50
Q

Sensory nerve

A

A nerve that convey sensory information from the periphery into the central nervous system

51
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

The part of the peripheral nervous system that provides neural connections to the skeletal musculature

52
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

The part of the peripheral nervous system that supplies neural connections to glands and smooth muscles of internal organs

53
Q

Cranial nerve

A

A nerve that is connected directly to the brain

54
Q

Spinal nerve

Aka: somatic never

A

The nerve that emerges from the spinal cord

55
Q

Dorsal root

A

The branch of a spinal nerve, entering the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, that carries sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the spinal cord

56
Q

Ventral root

A

The branch of a spinal nerve, arising from the ventral horn of the spinal cord, that carries motor messages from the spinal cord to the peripheral nervous system

57
Q

Cervical

A

Referring to the top most eight segments of the spinal cord, in the neck region

58
Q

Thoracic

A

Referring to the 12 spinal segments below the cervical (neck) portion of the spinal cord, corresponding to the chest

59
Q

Lumbar

A

Referring to the five spinal segments that make up the upper part of the lower back

60
Q

Sacral

A

Referring to the five spinal segments that make up the lower part of the lower back

61
Q

Coccygeal

A

Referring to the lower spinal vertebra (also called the tailbone)

62
Q

Autonomic ganglia

A

Collections of nerve cell bodies, belonging to the autonomic division of the peripheral nervous system, that are found in various locations and innervate the major organs

63
Q

Preganglionic

A

Literally, “before the ganglion”. Referring to neurons in the autonomic nervous system that run from the central nervous system to the autonomic ganglia

64
Q

Postganglionic

A

Literally, “after the ganglion”. Referring to neurons in the autonomic nervous system that run from the autonomic ganglia to various targets in the body

65
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

A component of the autonomic nervous system that arrives from the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord

66
Q

Sympathetic chain

A

A chain of ganglia that runs along each side of the spinal column; part of the sympathetic nervous system

67
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

A component of the autonomic nervous system that arrives from both the cranial nerves and the sacral spine cord

68
Q

Acetylcholine

A

A neurotransmitter produced and released by parasympathetic postganglionic neurons, by motor neurons, and by neurons throughout the brain

69
Q

Enteric nervous system

A

An extensive mesh-like system of neurons that governs the functioning of the gut

70
Q

Cerebral hemispheres

A

The right and left halves of the forebrain

71
Q

Gyrus

A

A rigid or raised portion of the convoluted brain surface

72
Q

Sulcus

A

A furrow of a convoluted brain surface

73
Q

Frontal lobe

A

The most anterior portion of the cerebral cortex

74
Q

Parietal lobe

A

Large region of the cortex lying between the frontal and occipital lobes of each cerebral hemisphere

75
Q

Temporal lobe

A

Large lateral cortical region of each cerebral hemisphere, continuous with the parietal lobe posteriorly and separated from the frontal lobe by the sylvian fissure

76
Q

Occipital lobe

A

Large region of cortex covering much of the posterior part of each cerebral hemisphere

77
Q

Sylvian fissure

Aka: lateral sulcus

A

A deep fissure that demarcates the temporal lobe

78
Q

Central sulcus

A

A Fissure that divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe

79
Q

Postcentral gyrus

A

The strip of parietal cortex, just behind the central sulcus, that receives somatosensory information from the entire body

80
Q

Precentral gyrus

A

The strip of frontal cortex, just in front of the central sulcus, that is crucial for motor control

81
Q

Corpus callosum

A

The main band of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres

82
Q

Gray matter

A

Areas of the brain that are dominated by cell bodies and are devoid of myelin

83
Q

White matter

A

A pale-coloured layer underneath the cortex that consists largely of axons with white myelin sheaths

84
Q

Neural tube

A

An embryonic structure with subdivisions that correspond to the future forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.

85
Q

Forebrain

A

The anterior division of the brain, containing the cerebral hemispheres, the thalamus, and the hypothalamus.

86
Q

Midbrain

A

The middle division of the brain

87
Q

Hindbrain

A

The rear division of the brain, which in the mature vertebrate contains the cerebellum , ponds, medulla

88
Q

Telencephalon

A

The frontal subdivision of the forebrain that includes the cerebral hemispheres when fully developed

89
Q

Diencephalon

A

The posterior part of the forebrain, including the thalamus and the hypothalamus

90
Q

Metencephalon

A

A subdivision of the hindbrain that includes cerebellum and the pons

91
Q

Cerebellum

A

A structure located at the back of the brain, dorsal to the pons, that is involved in the central regulation of movement

92
Q

Pons

A

A portion of the metencephalon; part of the brainstem connecting midbrain to medulla

93
Q

Brainstem

A

The region of the brain that consists of the midbrain, pons, and the medulla

94
Q

Nucleus

A

Here, a collection of neurons within the central nervous system

Ex. The caudate nucleus

95
Q

Tract

A

A bundle of axons found within the central nervous system

96
Q

Allocortex

A

Cortical tissue with three layers of unlayered organization, in contrast with six-layered neocortex

97
Q

Pyramidal cell

A

A type of large nerve cell that has a roughly pyramid-shaped cell body; found in the cerebral cortex

98
Q

Apical dendrite

A

The dendrite that extends from a pyramidal sell to the outermost surface of the cortex

99
Q

Basal dendrite

A

One of several dendrites on a pyramidal cell that extend horizontally from the cell body

100
Q

Cortical column

A

One of the vertical columns that constitute the basic organization of the neocortex

101
Q

Basal ganglia

A

A group of forebrain nuclei, including caudate nucleus, globes pallidus, and putamen, found deep within the cerebral hemispheres

102
Q

Caudate nucleus

A

One of the basal ganglia; it has a long extension or tail

103
Q

Putamen

Globus pallidus

A

One of the basal ganglia

104
Q

Substantia nigra

A

A brain stem structure in humans that innervates the basal ganglia and is named for its dark pigmentation

105
Q

Limbic system

A

A loosely defined, widespread group of brain nuclei that innervate each other to form a network

106
Q

Amygdala

A

A group of nuclei in the medial anterior part of the temporal lobe

107
Q

Mammillary body

A

One of a pair of nuclei at the base of the brain

108
Q

Hippocampus

A

A medial temporal lobe structure that is important for learning and memory

109
Q

Fornix

A

A fiver tract that extends from the hippocampus to the mammillary body

110
Q

Septal nuclei

A

A collection of gray matter structures lying medially below the corpus callosum, implicated in the perception of reward

111
Q

Cingulate Gyrus

A

A cortical portion of the limbic system, found in the frontal and parietal midline

112
Q

Olfactory bulb

A

And anterior projection of the brain that terminates in the upper nasal passages and, through small openings in the skull, provides receptors for smell

113
Q

Stria terminalis

A

A lymbic pathway connecting the amygdala and hypothalamus

114
Q

Thalamus

A

The brain regions that surround the third ventricle

115
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Part of the diencephalon, lying ventral to the thalamus

116
Q

Tectum

A

The dorsal portion of the midbrain, including the inferior and superior colliculi

117
Q

Superior colliculi

A

Paired gray matter structures of the dorsal midbrain that receive visual information and are involved in direction of visual gaze and visual attention to intend stimuli

118
Q

Inferior colliculi

A

Paired gray matter structures of the dorsal midbrain that receive auditory information

119
Q

Red nucleus

A

A brain stem structure related to motor control

120
Q

Reticular formation

A

And extensive region of the brainstem (extending from the medulla through the thalamus) that is involved in arousal (waking)

121
Q

Purkinje cell

A

A type of large nerve cell in the cerebellar cortex

122
Q

Granule cell

A

A type of small nerve cell

123
Q

Parallel fibre

A

One of the axons of the granule cell that forms the outermost layer of the cerebellar cortex

124
Q

Meninges

A

The three protective sheets of tissue- dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid - that surround the brain and spinal cord

125
Q

Dura mater

A

The outer most of the brain three meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord

126
Q

Pia mater

A

The innermost of the three meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord

127
Q

Arachnoid

A

The thin covering of the brain that lies between the Dura mater and the pia mater

128
Q

Cerebrospinal fluid

CSF

A

The fluid that fills the cerebral ventricles

129
Q

Meningitis

A

And acute inflammation of the meninges , usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection

130
Q

Meningiomas

A

Several classes of the non-cancerous tumours arising from the meninges

131
Q

Ventricular system

A

A system of fluid-filled cavities is inside the brain

132
Q

Lateral ventricle

A

A complexly shaped lateral portion of the ventricular system within each hemisphere of the brain

133
Q

Choroid plexus

A

A highly vascular portion of the lining of the ventricles that secretes cerebrospinal fluid

134
Q

Third ventricle

A

The midline ventricle that conducts cerebrospinal fluid from the lateral ventricle to the fourth ventricle

135
Q

Fourth ventricle

A

The passageway within the pons that receives cerebrospinal fluid from the third ventricle and releases it to surround the brain and spinal cord

136
Q

carotid arteries

A

The major arteries that ascend the left and right sides of the neck to the brain, supplying blood to the anterior and middle cerebral arteries

137
Q

Anterior cerebral arteries

A

Two large arteries, arising from the internal carotid arteries, that provide blood to the anterior poles and
medial surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres

138
Q

Middle cerebral arteries

A

Two large arteries, arising from the internal carotid arteries , that provide blood to most of the lateral surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres

139
Q

Posterior cerebral arteries

A

Two large arteries, arising from the bacillar artery, that provide blood to posterior aspects of the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and brainstem

140
Q

Vertebral arteries

A

Arteries that ascend the vertebrae, enter the base of the skull, and join together to form the basilar artery

141
Q

Basilar artery

A

An artery, formed by the fusion of the vertebral arteries, that supplies blood to the brainstem and the posterior cerebral arteries

142
Q

Circle of Willis

A

A vascular structure at the base of the brain that is formed by the joining of the carotid and basilar arteries

143
Q

Stroke

A

Damage to a region of brain tissue that results from blockage or rupture of vessels that supply blood to that region

144
Q

Blood-brain barrier

A

The mechanisms that make the movement of substances from blood vessels into brain cells more difficult than exchanges in other body organs, thus affording the brain greater protection from exposure to some substances found in the blood

145
Q

Angiography

A

A brain imaging technique in which a specialized x-ray image of the head is taken shortly after the cerebral blood vessels have been filled with radiopaque dye by means of a catheter

146
Q

Computerized axial tomography

CAT or CT

A

A noninvasive technique for examining brain structure in humans through computer analysis of x-ray absorption at several positions around the head

147
Q

Magnetic resonance imaging

MRI

A

A noninvasive technique that uses magnetic energy to generate images that reveal some structural details in the living brain

148
Q

Diffusion tensor imaging

DTI

A

A modified form of MRI in which the diffusion of water in a confined space is exploited to produce images of axonal fibre tracts.

149
Q

Fractional anisotrophy

FA

A

The tendency of water to diffuse more readily along the long axis of an enclosed space, such as an axon. FA is the basis of diffusion tensor imaging.

150
Q

DTI Tractography

Aka: fibre tracking

A

Visualization of the orientation and terminations of white matter tracts in the living brain via diffusion tensor imaging

151
Q

Positron emission tomography

PET

A

A technique for examining brain function by combining tomography with injections of radioactive substances used by the brain

152
Q

Functional MRI

FMRI

A

Magnetic resonance imaging that detects changes in blood flow and therefore identifies regions of the brain that are particularly active during a given task

153
Q

Optical imaging

A

A method for visualizing brain activity in which near infrared light is passed through the scalp and skull

154
Q

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

TMS

A

Localized, noninvasive stimulation of cortical neurons through the application of strong magnetic fields

155
Q

Magnetoencephalography

MEG

A

A passive and noninvasive functional brain imaging technique that measures the tiny magnetic field produced by active neurons, in order to identify regions of the brain that are particularly active during a given task

156
Q

Lesions

A

Regions of damage within the brain

157
Q

Social neuroscience

A

The use of neuroscience techniques to understand the neural basis of social processes

158
Q

Dyadic functional MRI

dfMRI

A

An fMRI technique in which the brains of two interacting individuals are simultaneously imaged