Nevous System Flashcards
neuron
a specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses
dendrite
a short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body
axon
the long threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells
synapse
a junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter
neurotransmitter
chemical messengers that your body can’t function without, they carry chemical signals from one neuron to the next target cell
central nervous system (cns)
made up of the brain and spinal cord, the body’s processing center
peripheral nervous system (pns)
part of your nervous system that lies outside the brain and spinal cord, sends information form different areas of your body back to your brain
cerebrum
largest part of the brain, controls muscle function
cerebellum
portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem
medulla oblongata
bottom most part of the brain, it helps control, vital processes like your heartbeat, breathing and blood pressure
somatic nervous system
component of the peripheral nervous system associated, with the voluntary control of the body movements via the use of skeleton muscles
reflex
involuntary action that your body does in response to something
autonomic nervous system
part of the nervous system, that controls muscles of internal organs and glands
sympathetic nervous system
part of the nervous system that increases heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and pupil size
parasympathetic nervous system
part of the nervous system that slows the heart dilate, blood vessels, and decreases pupil size
