The Nervous System Flashcards
(45 cards)
name the three protections of the nervous system
- bone (cranium)
- meningeal layers –> DURA, ARACHNOID, PIA
- cerebrospinal fluid
where is the cerebrospinal fluid produced, where does it go, and what does it do?
- it is formed in the blood
- it circulates in the brain, providing nutrients (glucose, protein, urea, salts)
where is the cerebrum located?
it is the outer section of the brain, the largest part
what are the four lobes of the cerebrum?
frontal, temporal, occipital, parietal
why is the cerebrum folded?
to increase surface area
what is the difference between a sulcus and a fissure?
a fissure is a deep down fold that occurs in the brain whereas a sulcus is a small, shallow down fold
what are the three areas of the cerebral cortex?
sensory –> interpret impulses from receptors
motor –> control muscular movements
association areas –> intellectual and emotional processes
what is the corpus callosum and where is it located?
the corpus callosum is a bundle of nerve fibres that is located underneath the cerebrum at the base of the longitudinal fissure. It connects the right hemisphere of the brain to the left.
what are the functions of the cerebral cortex?
thinking, reasoning, learning, memory, intelligence, sense of responsibility
what is the main characteristic of the left side of the brain?
language ability
what is the main characteristic of the right side of the brain?
music and artistic ability
where is the cerebellum located?
it is located underneath the rear part of the cerebrum
where is grey and white matter located in the cerebellum?
outer = grey matter inner = white matter
what is the function of the cerebellum?
posture, balance, coordination of voluntary muscle movement
where does the cerebellum receive information from?
inner ear and receptors in skeletal muscles
where is the hypothalamus located?
middle of the brain
what is the hypothalamus concerned with?
homoeostasis
what types of functions does the hypothalamus regulate?
autonomic nervous system: regulation of HR, BP, digestive juices, pupil diameter
body temperature, food and water intake, sleep and wake patterns, contractions of urinary bladder, emotional responses, secretion of hormones
where is the medulla oblongata located?
it is a continuation of the spinal cord, so it located at the base of the neck
which centres does the medulla oblongata contain?
cardiac centre: rate and force of heart beat
respiratory centre: rate and depth of breathing
vasometer centre: diameter of blood vessels
involuntary centres: swallowing, coughing, sneezing, vomiting
what is the central canal?
runs the length of the spinal cord, located in the centre of the spinal cord
what is the difference between ascending and descending tracts?
ascending tracts: sensory axons that carry impulses upwards
descending tracts: motor axons that conduct impulses downwards
what is the difference between the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system?
CNS: consists of brain and spinal cord
PNS: connects CNS with muscles, receptors and glands
in which direction do dendrites carry nerve impulses
towards the cell body
