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Organisation Of The Nervous System Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the primary divisions of the nervous system

A

Central nervous system

Peripheral nervous system

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2
Q

What structures does the CNS consist of?

A

Brain and spinal cord

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3
Q

What structure is present in the PNS that is not present in the CNS?

A

Ganglia

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4
Q

What are ganglia?

A

Collections of nerve cell bodies outside the CNS

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5
Q

What are the two main divisions of the PNS? (Plus one extra)

A

Somatic

Autonomic

(Nerves of special sensation)

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6
Q

What are the two cell types of neural tissue?

A

Neurons

Neuroglia

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7
Q

What are the general functions of neuroglia?

A

Support neurons

Regulate interstitial fluid

Bring nutrients

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8
Q

What do neurons do?

A

Transmit electrical impulses along their cell membranes

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9
Q

What are the three main features of a neuron?

A

Cell body/soma

Dendrites

Axon

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10
Q

Where are most of the organelles in a neuron?

A

Cell body/soma

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11
Q

What are neuroglia?

A

Non-nervous support cells

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12
Q

What neuroglia are present in the CNS?

A

Astrocytes

Microglia

Oilgodendrocytes

Ependymal

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13
Q

What neuroglia are present in the PNS?

A

Satellite cells

Schwann cells

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14
Q

What is the largest and most numerous neuroglial cell in the CNS?

A

Astrocyte

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15
Q

What are the processes of astrocytes in contact with?

A

Dendritic tree

Soma

Walls of capillaries

Myelinated axons

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16
Q

What are the functions of astrocytes? (5)

A

Maintain blood-brain barrier

Structural strength (microfilaments)

Stabilise structures after injury (produce scar tissue)

Direct neural growth during development

Control interstitial environment

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17
Q

What is the function of oligodendrocytes?

A

Myelination of axons

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18
Q

What do microglia look like?

A

Small, slender cells with many branched processes

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19
Q

What is the function of microglia?

A

(Similar to macrophages)

Phagocytosis

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20
Q

What percentage of glial cells are microglia?

A

5%

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21
Q

Where are ependymal cells found?

A

Lining chambers/passageways of CNS containing cerebrospinal fluid

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22
Q

What is the main difference between ependymal cells and epithelial cells?

A

Ependymal cells have processes in contact with other (glial) cells

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23
Q

What is the function of ependymal cells?

A

Assist production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid

May also monitor the composition of cerebrospinal fluid

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24
Q

Where are satellite cells found?

A

Lining peripheral NS ganglia

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25
What do satellite cells do?
Regulate oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrient and neurotransmitter levels around neurons in ganglia
26
What are the functions of a Schwann cell?
Support axons (enclose 10-20 axons together) Myelination of axons (up to 1mm on a single axon)
27
What is the main difference between oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells?
Oligodendrocytes can myelinate multiple axons/sections on a single axon Schwann cells can myelinate only one section on one axon
28
Where are the CNS structures?
Brain = cranial cavity Spinal cord = runs through central canal of vertebrae/vertebral foramen
29
How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?
12
30
How many spinal nerves are there?
30+
31
What are meninges?
Connective tissue coverings of brain and spinal cord
32
What does the somatic division innervate?
Body wall (skeletal muscle, skin) General sensation in trunk and limbs
33
What does the autonomic division innervate (that the somatic does not)?
Internal organs
34
Where are sensory nerve bodies found? Are there synapses here?
Ganglia (outside CNS) with no synapses
35
What part of the nervous system do motor ganglia belong to? Are there synapses here?
Autonomic Always synapses
36
Where is the grey matter in the spinal cord?
Central, butterfly/H-shape
37
Where is the white matter in the spinal cord?
Around edge
38
What is white matter made up of?
Myelinated axons
39
From which root do motor fibres originate from the spinal cord?
Ventral root
40
What type of cell bodies are found in the dorsal root ganglion?
Sensory
41
What/where is the spinal nerve?
Sensory and motor fibres travelling together Tiny section before dividing into anterior and posterior branches
42
Which is larger out of the anterior and posterior branches of spinal nerves?
Anterior
43
What do the anterior spinal nerve branches innervate?
Thorax (and form plexuses) Limbs
44
What do the posterior spinal nerve branches innervate?
Back muscles Skin
45
Where does the spinal cord end?
L2/L3
46
What is the cauda equina?
Bundle of spinal nerves and spinal nerve rootlets continuing from spinal cord
47
What is the filum terminae?
Connective tissue anchoring spinal cord at lumbar end
48
What is a myotome?
Region of muscle innervated by a specific spinal nerve
49
What is a dermatome?
Region of skin innervated by a specific spinal nerve
50
Which spinal nerve fibres form plexuses?
All anterior except T2-T12
51
Where do nerve plexuses occur?
Cervical, brachial, lumbar and sacral regions
52
Where does the phrenic nerve come from?
C3, 4, 5 anterior rami
53
What does the autonomic nervous system do?
Regulate internal environment of body
54
Where are sensory neuron cell bodies found?
Dorsal root ganglia or in sensory ganglia of cranial nerves
55
What do autonomic motor fibres innervate?
Smooth muscle Glands
56
Where do autonomic motor fibres modulate activity?
GI tract (enteric NS) Heart (SAN)
57
Where are the cell bodies of autonomic motor neurons found?
Ganglia (outside CNS)
58
Describe the autonomic motor pathway
First neuron has cell body in CNS with an axon extending to an autonomic ganglion Synapses Axon of cell body travels to effector organ
59
Describe the somatic motor pathway
Soma in CNS with (heavily) myelinated axon to effector (skeletal muscle) No synapses
60
What are the two main divisions of the autonomic NS?
Sympathetic Parasympathetic
61
What does the sympathetic division innervate?
All skin sweat glands Arrector pili muscles Smooth muscle (blood vessels, heart, lungs, other viscera)
62
Where does the sympathetic division originate?
T1-L2
63
Describe the sympathetic neuron pathway (no plexus)
(Lightly) myelinated fibre leaves CNS Synapses in sympathetic chain Post-ganglionic leaves to effector organ
64
Describe the sympathetic neuron pathway (with plexus)
(Lightly) myelinated fibre leaves CNS Synapses in sympathetic chain if thoracic to travel “directly” to organ If abdominal: fibres come from both sides and synapse in unpaired/single chain of ganglia on aorta
65
Describe the sympathetic neuron pathway to the adrenal medulla
(Lightly) myelinated fibres do not synapse until they reach adrenal medulla (no post-ganglionic neuron) Neurotransmitter released into general circulation
66
What are three examples strong sympathetic motor responses?
Staring eyes Cold, clammy skin Dry mouth Hair on end Sinking feeling in stomach
67
What does sympathetic sensory innervation reach consciousness as?
Pain Nausea Fullness of bladder Angina pectoris
68
Where does the parasympathetic division innervate?
Head and trunk
69
Where does the parasympathetic division arise?
(Cranio-sacral) CN: III, VII, IX, X S2-S4
70
Is the vagus nerve sympathetic or parasympathetic?
Parasympathetic
71
Describe the parasympathetic neuron pathway
Long myelinated pre-ganglionic fibre and short post-ganglionic fibre

BMS03 (12 decks)

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