Neurophysiology Terms Flashcards by Kim C

Auditory Nerve - function

sensory: cochlea (hearing)
sensory: vestibular apparatus (gravity, head position, movement)

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relative refractory period (def)

time after absolute refractory period, when a large stimulus (only) can cause an AP

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otolith (def)

layer of CaCO3 crystals on top of fluid layer in utricle & saccule, increase density & inertia for better response

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paradoxical co-activation (def)

activation of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in situations of intense conflict

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Intrafusal fibers (def)

fibers in muscle spindles which cause afferent neurons to create a generator potential when stretched

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functional motor unit (def)

alpha-motor-neuron plus the muscle fibers it innervates

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Abducens Nerve - function

motor: lateral eye movement
connected to III Oculomotor by medial/longitudinal fasciculus (MLF)

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electrotonus (def)

passive AP propagation, by +ve ion movement to more -ve areas (+ve enter through channels, -ve areas created by RMP); axial; by displacement of other +ve charges; dissipates over short distance because of leak channels

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endolymph (def)

fluid inside membrane of vestibular apparatus; low [Na+], high [K+]

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somatic (def)

(mostly) voluntary nerves, innervating skeletal muscles

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hyperpolarization (def)

decrease in V_m

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end-plate potential (EPP) (def)

signal at perimuscular membrane (motor end plate) of neuromuscular junction (NMJ)

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Optic Nerve - function

sensory: vision

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Glossopharyngeal Nerve - function

motor (voluntary): swallowing

motor (AUTONOMIC, parasympathetic): salivary glands

sensory: taste (front 1/3 of tongue)
sensory: CAROTID SINUS BARORECEPTOR

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Kinocilium (def)

single large, stiff hair on top of hair cell, forced to bend by linked stereocilia

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Active zones of NMJ pre-synaptic terminal (def)

rows of neurotransmitter vesicles aligned in rows above receptors on motor end-plate

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Facial Nerve - function

motor (voluntary): facial expression

motor (AUTONOMIC, parasympathetic): lacrimal & salivary glands

sensory: taste (back 2/3s of tongue)

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action potential (def)

Large, transmissible, ALL-OR-NOTHING signal

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autonomic (def)

reflexive (non-voluntary) nerves, typically non-limb motor nerves

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post-synaptic potential (PSP) (def)

temporary change in membrane potential at post-synaptic membrane, caused by neurotransmitter binding receptors on membrane

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Vagus Nerve - function

motor (voluntary): pharynx - swallowing, larynx - phonation

motor (AUTONOMIC, parasympathetic): decrease heart rate, increase abdominal muscle secretion & motility

sensory: AORTIC BARO- and chemoRECEPTORS
sensory: GI tract

ion permeability/conductance (g_K, g_Na, etc) (def)

how easily an ion can cross a membrane

cupulla (def)

ridge at end of canals/loops of vestibular apparatus, extending into endolymph in ampulla (sways in fluid)

Accessory Nerve - function

motor (voluntary): swallowing - reflexive component

motor (voluntary): shoulder shrugging

Neuromuscular Junction post-synaptic terminal component(s)

motor end plate

Neuromuscular Junction pre-synaptic terminal component(s)

distal alpha-motor neuron, attached Schwann cell

perilymph (def)

fluid between bone and membrane of vestibular apparatus; high [Na+], low [K+]

Olfactory Nerve - function

sensory: smell

inhibitory post-synaptic potential (IPSP) (def)

PSP bringing V\_m further from threshold

Hypoglossal Nerve - function

motor (voluntary): tongue

phasic receptor (def)

rapidly-adapting, exhibit on-off response (measures on/off in time & space)

absolute refractory period (def)

time immediately after AP, when the neuron is incapable of firing again

tonic receptor (def)

slowly-adapting, measure degree of stimulus (e.g. pressure, degree of joint stretch/flexion)

NMJ synaptic cleft location

between neuron ending and myocyte; contains basal lamina (hold the two together during movement)

generator potential (def)

GRADED sensory neuron depolarization, proportional to stimulus; transient, caused by external force

Trochlear Nerve - function

motor: eyeball movement

threshold (def)

voltage that causes all available Na+ channels to be open, causing an AP

sympathetic nervous system (def)

catabolic component of autonomic system

Oculomotor Nerve - function

motor (voluntary): medial eye movement motor (AUTONOMIC, parasympathetic): constrict pupil, thicken lens

Cranial Nerve Names

Olfactory Optic Oculomotor Trochlear Trigeminal Abducens Facial Auditory (Vestibulocochlear) Glossopharyngeal Vagus Accessory Hypoglossal

Trigeminal Nerve - function

motor (voluntary): mastication sensory: touch/temperature/pain to face/head/mouth

available, re: gated ion channels (def)

activation gate closed, inactivation gate open; non-conducting but ready for depolarization; usual resting state

ampulla (def)

widening at end of canals/loops of vestibular apparatus

nerve (def)

bundle of axons, both sensory & motor, to & from the same location

efferent (def)

motor

depolarization (def)

increase in V\_m

Stereocilia (def)

small hairs on top of hair cell, forced to bend by inertia of endolymph

afferent (def)

sensory

Nodes of Ranvier (def)

gaps between myelinated segments of neuron

Resting Membrane Potential (def)

normal voltage difference across a membrane (typically -70mV)

excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP) (def)

PSP bringing V\_m closer to threshold

parasympathetic nervous system (def)

anabolic component of autonomic system