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PARA4012: Anatomy and Physiology > The Neurological System > Flashcards

The Neurological System Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the classification of the nervous system

A

Central nervous system
Peripheral nervous system
- Somatic
- Autonomic

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2
Q

What are the 3 functions of the nervous sytem?

A

Sensory (sensory neurons)
Integrative (interneurons)
Motor (motor neurons)

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3
Q

What’s the difference between the autonomic and somatic NS? Give an example of each

A

Autonomic
- involuntary
- e.g. detection of blood pressure
Somatic
- voluntary
- e.g. walking

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4
Q

Describe the basic structure of a nerve cell: (4)

A

Dendrite
Cell body
Axon
Axon terminal

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5
Q

What is the function of dendrites?

A

Receive signals from surrounding area

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6
Q

What is the function of the cell body?

A

Contain all organelles

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7
Q

Neurons can also be categorised by the number of processes extending from the cell body. What are the 3 types of neuron classification?

A

Bipolar
Unipolar
Multipolar

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8
Q

What is the function of the axon?

A

Carry nerve signals away from cell body to axon terminal

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9
Q

Clusters of neuronal cell bodies are called:
___ in PNS
___ in CNS

A

Ganglions in PNS
Nucleus in CNS

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10
Q

Bundles of axons are called:
___ in PNS
___ in CNS

A

Nerve in PNS
Tract in CNS

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11
Q

What is the difference between white and grey matter?

A

White - primarily myelinated axons
Grey - neuronal cell bodies, un-myelinated axons and neuroglia

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12
Q

What is the function of Glial Cells (neuroglia)?

A

Type of cell that provides physical and chemical support to neurons and maintain their environment

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13
Q

What are 2 differences between glial cells and neurons?

A
  1. Glial cells don’t generate or propagate action potential
  2. Glial cells can multiply divide. Nerve cells can’t
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14
Q

What is the structure and function of astrocytes?

A
  • Star shaped, branched.
  • Found between neurons and blood vessels (anchor them together)
  • maintain blood brain barrier
  • create framework on CNS
  • repairing neural tissue
  • control interstitial environment
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15
Q

What is the structure and function of oligodendrocytes?

A
  • found aligned along thick nerve fibres
  • provide the myelin sheath around axons within brain and spinal cord
  • form internodes
  • small gaps in between (nodes of ranvier)
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16
Q

What is the structure and function of microglial cells?

A
  • phagocytize bacterial cells and cellular debris
  • transform into specialised macrophages
  • lengthy thorn-like processes which touch neurons to monitor their health
  • move towards injured or abnormal neurons
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17
Q

What are the the 4 types of CNS neuroglia?

A
  1. Astrocytes
  2. Ependymal cells
  3. Microglial cells
  4. Oligodendrocytes
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18
Q

What are the two types of PNS neuroglia?

A
  1. Satellite cells
  2. Schwann cells
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19
Q

What is the structure and function of Schwann cells?

A
  • from a myelin sheath around axons
  • repair damaged nerves (through Wallerian generation)
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20
Q

What is the structure and function of Satellite cells?

A
  • similar function to astrocytes in CNS
  • surround neuronal cell bodies
  • assist in regulating the external chemical environment (through material exchange between cell bodies and interstitial fluid)
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21
Q

Plasticity of the nervous system describes it’s ability to:

A

Change based on experience

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22
Q

PNS neurogenesis is possible if: (2)

A
  1. cell body remains intact
  2. schwann cells remain active
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23
Q

CNS neurogenesis is almost-non existent due to (2):

A
  1. the inhibitory influence of oligodendrocytes
  2. absence of growth stimulating cues
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24
Q

Describe function of the blood-brain-barrier?

A
  • acts to selectively allow certain molecules to pass and keep others from reaching brain
  • maintain constant internal environment of brain
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25
Describe structure of blood brain barrier
- three layers: 1. capillary wall endothelium 2. thick basal lamina 3. bulb-like feet of astrocytes
26
What is saltatory conduction?
The way an electrical impulse skips between nodes of ranvier
27
What is the function of the myelin sheath? (2)
1. increases axonal conduction velocity 2. reduces capacitance of axonal membrane (amount of charge that can be stored)
28
What are the two types of synapses?
1. Electrical 2. Chemical
29
Where are electrical synapses found?
In visceral smooth muscle and cardiac muscle
30
Describe electrical conduction
electrical impulses conduct directly between neurons using gap junctions
31
What molecule do chemical synapses use?
Neurotransmitters
32
Describe the embryology of the CNS
- begins as simple neural plate - folds to form a groove then tube, open at both ends - within tube, stem cells generate neurones and Glia
33
How many ventricles are in the brain?
Four
34
What are the lobes of the cerebral cortex? (5)
1. Frontal lobe 2. Parietal lobe 3. Occipital lobe 4. Insula
35
Describe the structure and function of the cerebrum
- largest part, two hemispheres connected by the corpus callosum - controls higher brain functions (e.g. interprets sensory impulses, reasoning, intelligence
36
Describe the structure and function of the basal nuclei
- masses of grey matter deep inside the cerebral hemispheres - relays motor impulses from cerebral cortex, passing into brain stem and spinal cord
37
Describe the structure and function of the diancephalon
- masses of grey matter (thalamus and hypothalamus)
38
Describe the function of the thalamus
relays sensory impulses from other areas of nervous system to cerebral cortex
39
Describe the function of the hypothalamus
helps maintain homeostasis by regulating visceral activities links nervous and endocrine system
40
Structure and function of brain stem
- connects cerebrum to spinal cord - made up of: midbrain pons medulla oblongata
41
Structure and function of the midbrain
- Masses of grey matter, nerve fibre bundles, joins spinal cord to higher brain regions - Reflex centres move eyes, head and maintain posture
42
Structure and function of the pons
- bulge on underside of brain stem, contains masses of grey matter - relays impulses between medulla oblongata and cerebrum - regulates breathing rate and depth
43
Structure and function of medulla oblongata
- Enlarged continuation of spinal cord, extending from foramen magnum to pons, masses of grey matter - Conducts impulses between brain and spinal cord - Contains cardiac, vasomotor and respiratory control centres
44
Describe the structure and function of the cerebellum
- Large tissue mass inferior to cerebrum, posterior to brain stem - Two lateral hemispheres connected by vermis - Communicates with rest of CNS via tracts - Integrates sensory info about body, coordinates muscle activities, maintains posture
45
What are the meninges?
3 layers of membranes which protect the brain and spinal cord - inner: pia mater - middle: arachnoid - outer: dura mater
46
Where are the ventricles located in the brain?
2 lateral ventricles 3rd is in the diancephalon 4th is in the hindbrain
47
Describe the structure and function of the ventricles
Filled with cerebrospinal fluid Keeps brain bouyant and cushioned
48
Describe the spinal cord
- suspended in vertebral canal, surrounded by meninges and CSF - continuous with medulla oblongata and extends to border of 1st lumbar vertebra - composed of grey matter in the centre surrounded by white matter
49
Describe the reflex arc
1. receptor 2. sensory neuron 3. integration centre 4. motor neuron 5. effector
50
The somatic nervous system in made of __ pairs of spinal nerves __ pairs of cranial nerves
31spinal 12 cranial
51
The sympathetic and parasympathetic branches are part of the ______ nervous system
autonomic
52
motor nerve fibres convey ___ impulses from brain to effector organs
efferent
53
sensory neurons convey ____ impulses from sensory organs to brain
afferent
54
How many of each type of spinal nerve are there? ___ cervical ___ thoracic ___ lumbar ___ sacral ___ coccygeal
8 cervical 12 thoracic 5 lumbar 5 sacral 1 coccygeal
55
the spinal nerves leave the vertebral canal through the ____ _____ in pairs
intervertebral foramen
56
each spinal nerve divides into a small ____ ____, a larger ____ ____ and an extremely small ____ ____
dorsal ramus ventral ramus meningeal branch
57
the main portions of spinal nerves combine to form ___
plexuses (large masses of nerves)
58
What are the 5 plexuses?
Cervical Brachial Lumbar Sacral Coccygeal
59
Function of cervical plexuses
- Supply structures at back and side of head and skin of front of neck to level of sternum - supply muscles of the neck e.g. trapezius - phrenic nerve passes through thoracic cavity to supply diaphragm
60
Function of brachial plexuses
- supply skin and muscles of upper limbs and some chest muscles eg radial nerve, ulnar nerve
61
Function of lumbar plexuses
Supply muscles and skin in lower abdomen, all aspects of thighs and inginual regions. E.g. femoral nerve
62
Function of sacral plexuses
Supply muscles and skin of pelvic floor, muscles around hip joint and pelvic organs. E.g. sciatic nerve
63
Function of coccygeal plexuses
Supply skin around the coccyx and anal area
64
How many cranial nerves are there?
12
65
Function of autonomic NS
controls automatic functions - smooth and cardiac muscle - glands
66
The sympathetic division originates in _____ neurons in the grey matter of the spinal cord, using the neurotransmitter ___
Preganglionic Acetylcholine
67
(Sympathetic) The pre-ganglionic neuron synapses with the ____ _____ neuron which terminates in the organ or tissue supples. This uses ____
post ganglionic noreadrenaline
68
In the parasympathetic NS, preganglionic neurons are located in the ____ ___ and ____
Spinal cord Medulla
69

PARA4012: Anatomy and Physiology (10 decks)

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