Term
|
Definition
| A forebrain structure of the temporal lobe, constituting an important part of the limbic system; includes the hippocampus proper (Ammon's horn), dentate gyrus, and subiculum. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A sructure in the interior of the rostral temporal lobe, containing a set of nuclei; part of the lmbic system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A fiber bundle that connects the hippocampus with other parts of the brain, including the mammillary bodies of the hypothalamus; part of the limbic system. |
|
|
Term
| mammillary bodies (mam i lair ee) |
|
Definition
| A protrusion of the bottom of the brain at the posterior end of the hypothalamus, containing some hypothalamic nuclei; part of the limbic system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A group of subcortical nuclei in the telencephalon, the caudate nucleus, the globus palidus, and the putamen; important parts of the motor system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An identifiedable group of neural cell bodies in the central nervous system. |
|
|
Term
| diencephalon (dy en seff a lahn) |
|
Definition
| A region of the forebrain surrounding the third ventricle; includes the thalamus and the hypothalamus. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The largest portion of the diencephalon, located above the hypothalamus; contains nuclei that project information to specific regions of the cerebral cortex and receive information from it. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An axon of a neuron in one region of the brain whose terminals form synapses with neurons in another region. |
|
|
Term
| lateral geniculate nucleus |
|
Definition
| A group of cell bodies with in the lateral genculate body of the thalamus that receives fibers from the retina and projects fibers to the primary visual cortex. |
|
|
Term
| medial geniculate nucleus |
|
Definition
| A group of cell bodies within the medial geniculate body of the thalamus; receives fibers from the autditory system and projects fibers to the primary auditory cortex. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A nucleus of the thalamus that receives inputs from the cerebellum and sends axons to the primary motor cortex. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The group of nuclei of the diencephalon situated beneatht the thalamus; involved in regulation of the autonomic nervous system, control of the anterior and posterior pituitary glands, and integration of species-typical behaviors. |
|
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Term
|
Definition
| An X-shaped connection between the optic nerves, located below the base of the brain, just anteriro to the pituitary gland. |
|
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Term
|
Definition
| The anterior part of the pituitary gland; an endocrine galnd whose secretions are controlled by the hypothalamic hormones. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a neuron that secretes a hormone or hormonelike substance. |
|
|
Term
| posterior pituitary gland |
|
Definition
| The posterior part of the pituitary gland; and endocrine galnd that contains hormone secreting terminal buttons of axons whose cell bodies lie within the hypothalamus. |
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|
Term
|
Definition
| The mesencephalon; the central of the three major divisions fo the brain. |
|
|
Term
| mesencephalon (mezz en seff a lahn) |
|
Definition
| The midbrain; a refion of the brain that surrounds the cerebral aqueduct; includes the tectum and the tegmentum. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The dorsal part of the midbrain; includes the superior and inferior colliculi. |
|
|
Term
| superior colliculi (ka lik yew lee) |
|
Definition
| Protrusions on top of the midbrain; part of the visual systems. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Protrusions on top of the midbrain; part of the auditory system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The "stem" of the brain, from the dedulla to the diencephalon, excluding the cerebellum. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The ventral part of the midbrain; includes the periaqueductal gray matter, reticular formation, red nucleus, and substantia nigra. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A large network of neural tissue located in the central region of the brain stem, from the medulla to the diencephalon. |
|
|
Term
| periaqueductal gray matter |
|
Definition
| The region of the midbrain surrounding the cerebral aqueduct; contains neural circuits involved in species-typical behaviors. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A large nucleus of the midbrain that receives inputs from the cerebellum and motor cortex and send axons to motor neurons in the spinal cord. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drakly stained region of teh tegmentum that contains nuerons that communicate with the caudate nucleus and putament in the basal ganglia. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The most caudal of the three major divisons of the brain; includes the metencephalon and myelencephalon. |
|
|
Term
| cerebellum (sair a bel lum) |
|
Definition
| A major part of the brain located dorsal to the pons, containing the two cerebellar hemispheres, coverd with the cerebellar cortex; an important component of the motor system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The cortex that covers the surface of the cerebellum. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Nuclei located with the cerebellar hemispheres; receive projections from the cerebellar cortex and sends projections our of the cerebellum to other parts of the brain |
|
|
Term
| cerebellar peduncle (pee dun kul) |
|
Definition
| One of the three bundles of axons that attach each cerebellar hemisphere to the dorsal pons. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The region of the metencephalon rostral to the medulla, caudal to the midbrain, and ventral to the cerebellum. |
|
|
Term
| medulla oblongata (me doo la) |
|
Definition
| The most caudal portion of the brain; located in the myelencephalon, immediately rostral to the spinal cord. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The cord of nervous tissue that extends caudally from the medulla. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A bundle of axons surrounded by connective tissue that occurs in pairs, which fuse and form a spinal nerve. |
|
|
Term
| cauda equina (ee kwye na) |
|
Definition
| A bundle of spinal roots located caudal to the end of the spinal cord. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The anesthesia and paralysis of the lower part of the body produced by injection of a local anesthetic into the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the cauda equina. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The spinal root that contains incoming (afferent) sensory fibers. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The spinal root that contains outgoing (efferent) motor fibers. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A peripheral nerve attached to the spinal cord. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An axon directed toward the central nervous system conveying sensory information. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A nodule on a dorsal root that contains cell bodies of afferent spinal nerve neurons. |
|
|
Term
| efferent axon (eff ur ent) |
|
Definition
| An axon directed away from the central nervous system, conveying motor commands to the muscles and glands. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A peripheral nerve attached directly to the brain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The largest of the cranial nerves, conveying efferent fibers of teh parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system to organs of the thoracic and abdominal cavities. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The protrusion at the end of the olfactory nerve, receives input from the olfactory receptors. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The part of the peripheral nervous sytem that controls the movement of skeletal muscles or transmits somatosensory information to the central nervous system. |
|
|
Term
| autonomic nervous system (ANS) |
|
Definition
| The portion of the peripheral nervous system that controls the the body's vegetative functions. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The portion of the autonomic nervous system that controls functions that accompany arousal and expenditure. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Nodules that contain synapses between preganglionic and postganglionic neurons of sympathtic nervous system. |
|
|
Term
| sympathetic ganglion chain |
|
Definition
| One of a pair of groups of sympathetic ganglia that lie ventrolateral to the vertebral column. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The efferent nueron of the autonomic nervous system whose cell body is located in a cranial nerve nucleus or in the intermediate horn of the spinal gray matter and whose terminal buttons synapse upon postganglionic neurons in the autonomic ganglia. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Neurons of the autonomic nervous system that form synapses directly with their target organ. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The portion of the autonomic nervous system that controls functions that occur during a relaxed state. |
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|
Term
|
Definition
| The study of the effects of drugs on the nervous system and on behavior. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The changes a drug produces in an animals physiological processes and behavior. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A location at which molecules of drug interact with molecules located on or in cells of the body, thus affecting some biochemical proceses of theses cells. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The process by which drugs are absorbed, distributed within the body, metabolized, and excreted. |
|
|
Term
| intravenous (IV) injection |
|
Definition
| Injection of a substance directly into a vein. |
|
|
Term
intraperitoneal (IP) injection
(in tra pair i toe nee ul) |
|
Definition
| Injection of a substance into the peritoneal cavity--the space that surrounds the stomach, intestines, liver, and other abdominal organs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Injection of a substance into a muscle |
|
|
Term
| subcutaneous (SC) injection |
|
Definition
| injection of a substance into the space beneath the skin. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Administration of a substance into the mouth, so that it is swallowed. |
|
|
Term
| sublingual administration (sub ling wul) |
|
Definition
| Administration of a substance by placing it beneath the tongue. |
|
|
Term
| intrarectal administration |
|
Definition
| Administration of a substance into the rectum. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Administration of a vaporous substance into the lungs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Administration of a substance directly onto the skin or mucous membrane. |
|
|
Term
| intracerebral administration |
|
Definition
| Adminstration of a substance directly into the brain. |
|
|
Term
| intracerebroventricular (ICV)administration |
|
Definition
| Administration of a substance into the cerebral ventricles. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A graph of the magnitude of an effect of a drug as a function of the amount of drug administered |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The ratio between the dose that produces the desired effect in 50 percent of the animals and the does that produces toxic effects in 50 percent of the animals. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The readiness with which two molecules join together. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A decrease in the effectiveness of a drug that is administered repeatedly. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An increase in the effectiveness of a drug that is administered repeatedly. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The appearance of symptoms opposite of those produced by a drug when the drug is administered repeatedly and then suddenly no longer taken. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An inert substance that is given to an organism in lieu of a physiologically active drug; used experimentally to control for the effects of mere administration of a drug. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that opposes or inhibits the effects of a particular neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic cell. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that facilitates the effects of a particular neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic cell. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that binds with and activates a receptor. |
|
|
Term
| receptor blocker or direct antagonist |
|
Definition
| A drug that binds with a receptor but does not activate it; prevents the natural ligand from binding with the receptor. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Binding of a drug to a site on a receptor; does not interfere with the binding site for the principat ligand |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that attaches to abinding site on a receptor and interferes with the action of the receptor; does not interfere with the binding site for the principal ligand. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that attaches to a binding site on a receptor and facilitates the action of the receptor, does not interfere with the binding site for the principal ligand. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A cofactor that supplies acetate for the synthesis of acetylcholine. |
|
|
Term
choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)
(koh leen a see tul trans fer ace) |
|
Definition
| The enzyme that transfers the acetate ion from acetyl coenzyme A to choline, producing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. |
|
|
Term
| botulinum toxin (bot you lin um) |
|
Definition
| An acetylcholine antagonist; prevents release of ACh by terminal buttons. |
|
|
Term
| black window spider venom |
|
Definition
| A poison produced by the black widow spider that triggers the release of acetylcholine. |
|
|
Term
| neostigmine (nee o stig meen) |
|
Definition
| A drug that inhibits the activity of acetylcholinesterase. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An ionotropic acetylcholine receptor that is stimulated by nicotine and blocked by curare. |
|
|
Term
| muscarinic receptor (muss ka rin ic) |
|
Definition
| A metabotropic acetylcholine receptor that is stimulated by muscarine and blocked by atropine. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that blocks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. |
|
|
Term
| monoamine (mahn o a meen) |
|
Definition
| A class of amines that includes indolamines such as serotonin and catecholamines such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and pinephrine. |
|
|
Term
| catecholamine (cat a kohl a meen) |
|
Definition
| A class of amines that includes the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The levorotatory form of DOPA; the precursor of the catecholamines; often used to treat Parkinson's disease because of its effect as a dopamne agonist. |
|
|
Term
nigrostriatal system
(nigh grow stry ay tul) |
|
Definition
| A system of neurons originating in the substantia nigra and terminating in the neostriatum (caudate nucleus adn putamen). |
|
|
Term
| mesolimbic system (mee zo lim bik) |
|
Definition
| A system of dopaminergic neurons originating in the venral tegmental area and terminating in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hippocampus. |
|
|
Term
| mesocortical system (mee zo kor ti kul) |
|
Definition
| A system of dopaminergic neurons originating in the ventrl tegmental area and terminating in the prefrontal cortex. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A neurological disease characterized by tremors, rigidity of the limbs, poor balance, and difficulty in initiating movements; caused by degeneration of the nigrostriatal system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that blocks the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase and thus interferes with the synthesis of the catecholamines. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that interferes with the storage of monoamines in synaptic vesicles. |
|
|
Term
methyphenidate
(meth ul fen i date) |
|
Definition
| A drug that inhibits the reuptake of dopamine. |
|
|
Term
monoamine oxidase (MAO)
(mahn o a meen) |
|
Definition
| A class of enzymes that destroy the monoamines; dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that blocks the activity of MAO-B; acts as a dpamine agonist. |
|
|
Term
| chloropromazine (klor proh ma zeen) |
|
Definition
| A drug that reduces the symptioms of schizophrenia by blocking dopamine D2 receptors. |
|
|
Term
| norepinephrine (NE) (nor epp i neff rin) |
|
Definition
| One of the catecholamines; a neurotransmitter found in the brain and in the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. |
|
|
Term
| epinephrine (epp i neff rin) |
|
Definition
| One of the catecholamines; a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla; serves also as a neurotansmitter in the brain. |
|
|
Term
| fusaric acid (few sahr ik) |
|
Definition
| A drug that inhibits the activity of the enzyme dopamine-β-hydroxylase and thus blocks the production of norepinephrine. |
|
|
Term
| locus coeruleus (sur oo lee us) |
|
Definition
| A dark collored group of noradrenergic cell bodies located in the pons near the rostral end of the floor of the fourth ventricle. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that blocks presynaptic α2 receptors and hence acts aws an agonist, stimulating the synthesis and release of NE (norepinephrine) |
|
|
Term
| serotonin (5-HT)(sair a toe nin) |
|
Definition
| An indolamine neurtotransmitter; also called hydroxytryptamine. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that inhibits the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase and thus interferes with the synthesis of 5-HT. |
|
|
Term
| fluoxetine (floo ox i teen) |
|
Definition
| A drug that inhibits the reuptake of 5-HT. |
|
|
Term
| fenfluramine (fen fluor i meen) |
|
Definition
| A drug that stimulates the release of 5-HT. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that stimulates 5-HT2A receptors |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that serves as a noradrenergic and serotonergic agonist, also known as "ectasy"; has excitatory and hallucinogenic effects. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An amino acid; the most important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A specialized ionotropic glutamate receptor that controls a calcium channel that is normally blocked by Mg2+ ions; has several other binding sites. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An ionotropic glutamate receptor that controls a sodium channel; stimulated by AMPA. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An ionotropic glutamate receptor that controls a sodium channel; stimulated by kainic acid. |
|
|
Term
metabotropic glutamate receptor
(meh tab or troh pik) |
|
Definition
| A category of metabotropic receptors that are senstive to glutamate. |
|
|
Term
| AP5 (2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate) |
|
Definition
| A drug that blocks the glutamate-biding site on NMDA receptors. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Phencyclidine; a drug that binds with the PCP-binding site of the NMDA receptor and serves as an indirect antagonist. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An amino acid; the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that inhibits the activity of GAD and thus blocks the synthesis of GABA. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A direct agonist for the GABA-binding site on the GABAA receptor. |
|
|
Term
| bicuculline (by kew kew leen) |
|
Definition
| A direct antagonist for the GABA-binding site on the GABAA receptor. |
|
|
Term
| benzodiazepine (ben zo di az a peen) |
|
Definition
| A ctegory of anxiolytic drugs; an indirect agonist for the GABAA receptor. |
|
|
Term
| anxiolytic (ang zee oh lit ik) |
|
Definition
| An anxiety-reducing effect. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A amino acid; an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the lower brain sten amd spinal cord. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drect antagonist for the glycine receptor. |
|
|
Term
endogenous opioid
(en dodge en us oh pee oyd) |
|
Definition
| A clss of peptides secreted by the brain that act as opiates. |
|
|
Term
| enkephalin (en keff a lin) |
|
Definition
| One of the endogenous opioids. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that blocks opiate receptors. |
|
|
Term
endocannabinoid
(can nob i noid) |
|
Definition
| A lipid; and endogenous li.gand for receptors that bind with THC (the active ingredient of marijuana) |
|
|
Term
| anadamide (a nan da mide) |
|
Definition
| The first cannabinoid to be discovered and probably the most important one. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that blocks cannabinoid CB1 receptors. |
|
|
Term
| adenoisine (a den oh seen) |
|
Definition
| A nucleoside; a combination of ribose adn adenine; serves as a neuromodulator in the brain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drug that blocks adenosine receptors. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A gas produced by cells in the nervous system; used as a means of communication between cells. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The enzyme responsible for the production of nitric oxide. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The removal or destruction of a portion of the brain of a laboratory animal; presumably, the functions tht can no longer be performed are th ones the region previously controlled. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A synonym for experimental ablation. |
|
|
Term
| excitotoxic lesion (ek sigh tow tok sik) |
|
Definition
| A brain lesion produced by intracerebral injection of an excitatory amino acid; such as kainic acid. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A "placebo" procedure that duplicates all the steps of producing a brain lesion except for the one that actually causes the brain damage. |
|
|
Term
| sterotaxic surgery (stair ee oh tak sik) |
|
Definition
| Brain surgery using a sterotaxic apparatus to position an electrode or annula in a specified position of the brain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The junction of the sagittal and coronal sutures of the skull; often used as a reference point for stereotaxic surgery. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A collection of drawings of sections of the brain of a particuar animal with measurements that provide coordinates for sterotaxic surgery. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A device that permits a surgeon to position an electrode or cnnula into a specific part of the brain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A chemical such as formalin; used to prepare and preserve body tissue. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The aqueous solution of formaldehyde gas; the most commonly used tissue fixative. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An instument that produces very thin slices of body tissue. |
|
|
Term
| scanning electron microscope |
|
Definition
| A microscope that provides three-dimensional information about the shape of the surface of a small object. |
|
|
Term
anterograde labeling method
(ann ter oh grade) |
|
Definition
| A histological method that lavels the axons and terminal buttons of neurons whose cell bodies are located in a particular region. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin; a protein derived from kidney beans and used as an anterograde tracer; taken up by dendrites and cell bodies and carried to the ends of the axons. |
|
|
Term
| immunocytochemical method |
|
Definition
| A histological method that uses radioactive antibodies or antibodies bound with a dye molecule to indicate the presence of particular proteins or peptides. |
|
|
Term
| retrograde labeling method |
|
Definition
| A histological method that labels cell bodies that give rise to the terminal buttons that form syanpses with cells in a particular region. |
|
|
Term
| fluorogold (flew roh gold) |
|
Definition
| A dye that serves as a retrograde label; taken up by terminal buttons and crried back to the cell bodies. |
|
|
Term
| transneuronal tracing method |
|
Definition
| A tracing method that identifies a series of neuros that form serial synaptic connections with each other either in an anterograde or retrograde direction; involves infection of specific neurons with weakened forms of rabies or herpes viruses. |
|
|
Term
| computerized tomography (CT) |
|
Definition
| The use of a device that employs a computer to analyze data obtained by a scanning beam of X-rays to produce a two-dimensional picture of a "slice" through the body. |
|
|
Term
| magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) |
|
Definition
| A technique whereby the interior of the body can be accurately imaged involves the interaction between radio waves and a strong magnetic field. |
|
|
Term
| diffusion tensor imaging (DIT) |
|
Definition
| An imaging method that uses a modified MRI scanner to reveal bundles of myelinated axons in the living human brain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A very fine electrode, generally used to record activity of individual neurons. |
|
|
Term
| electronencephalogram (EEG) |
|
Definition
| An electrical brain potentieal recorded by placing electrodes on the sclap. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A procedure that detects groups of synchronously activated neurons by means of the magnetic field induced by their electrical activity; uses an array of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) |
|
|
Term
2-deoxyglucose (2-DG)
(dee ox ee gloo kohss) |
|
Definition
| A sugar that enters cells along with glucose but in not metabolized. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A procedure that locates radioactive substances in a slice of tissue; the radiation exposes a photographic emulsion or a piece of film that covers the tissue. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A protein produced in the nucleus of a nueron in response to synaptic stimulation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A computerized method of detecting metabolic or chemical changes in particular regions of the brain. |
|
|
Term
| positron emission tomography (PET) |
|
Definition
| A functional imaging method that reveals the localization of a radioactive tracer in a living brain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A functional imaging method; a modification of the MRI procedure that permits the measurement of regional metabolism in the brain. |
|
|
Term
| transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) |
|
Definition
| Stimulation of the cerebral cortex by means of magnetic fields produced by passing pulses of electricity through a coil of wire placed next to the skull; interferes with the functions of the brain region that is stimulated. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A procedure for analyzing chemicals present in the interstital fluid through a small piece of tubing made of a semipermeable membrane that is implanted in the brain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A mutated gene (also called a "knockout gene") produced in the laboratory and inserted into the chromosomes of mice; fails to produce a functional protein. |
|
|
Term
antisense oligonucleotide
(oh li go new klee oh tide) |
|
Definition
| A modified strand of RNA or DNA that binds with a specific molecule of messenger RNA and prevents it from producing its particular protein. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A specialized neuron that detects a particular category of physical events. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The process by which sendory stimuli are transduced into slow graded receptor potentials. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A slow, graded electrical potential produced by a receptor cell in response to a physical stimulus. |
|
|
Term
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Definition
| One of the perceptual dimensions of color; the dominant wavelength. |
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Term
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Definition
| One of the perceptual dimensions of color; intensity. |
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Term
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Definition
| One of the perceptual dimensions of color; purity. |
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Term
saccadic movement
(suh kad ik) |
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Definition
| The rapid, jerky movement of the eyes used in scanning a visual scene. |
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Term
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Definition
| The movement that the eyes make to maintain an image of a moving object on the fovea. |
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Term
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Definition
| Changes in the thickness of the lens of the eye, accomplished by the ciliary muscles, that focus images of near or distant objects on the retina. |
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Term
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Definition
| The neural tissue and photoreceptive cells located on the inner surface of the posterior portion of the eye. |
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Term
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Definition
| One of the receptor cells of the retina; sensitive to light of low intensity. |
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Term
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Definition
| One of the receptor cells of the retina; maximally sensitive to one of three different wavelengths of light and hence encodes color vision. |
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Term
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Definition
| One of the receptor cells of the retina; transduces photic energy inot electrical potentials. |
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Term
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Definition
| The region of the retina that mediates the most acute vision of birds and higher mammals. Color-sensitive cones constitute the only type of photoreceptors found in the fovea. |
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Term
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Definition
| The location of the exit point from the retina of the fibers of the ganglion cells that form the optic nerve; responsible for the blind spot. |
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Term
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Definition
| A bipolar neuron located in the middle layer of the retina, conveying information from the photreceptors to the ganglion cells. |
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Term
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Definition
| A neuron located in the retina that receives visual information from biolar cells; its axons give rise to the optic nerve. |
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Term
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Definition
| A neuron in the retina that interconnects adjacent photoreceptors and the outer processes of the bipolar cells. |
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Term
| amacrine cell (amm a krin) |
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Definition
| A neuron in the retina that interconnects adjacent ganglion cells and the inner processes of the bipolar cells. |
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Term
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Definition
| A layer of membrane containing photpigments; found in rods and cones of the retina. |
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Term
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Definition
| A protein dye bonded to retinal, a substance derived from vitamin A; responsible for transduction of visual information. |
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Term
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Definition
| A class of protein that , together with retinal, constitutes the photopigments. |
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Term
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Definition
| A chemical synthesized from vitamin A; joins with opsin to form a photopigment. |
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Term
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Definition
| A particular opsin found in rods. |
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Term
| dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) |
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Definition
| A group of cell bodies within the lateral geniculate body of the thalamus; receives inputs from the retina and projects to the primary visual cortex. |
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Term
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Definition
| One of the inner two layers of neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus; transmits information necessary for the perception of form, movement, depth, and small differences in brightness to the primary visual cortex. |
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Term
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Definition
| One of the four outer layers of neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus; transmits information necessary for perception of color and fine detail to the primary visual cortex. |
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Term
koniocellular sublayer
(koh nee oh sell yew lur) |
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Definition
| One of the sublayers of neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus found ventral to each of the magnocellular and parvocellular layers; transmits information from short -wavelength ("blue") cones to primary visual cortex. |
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Term
calcarine fissure
(kal ka rine) |
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Definition
| A horizontal fissure on the inner surface of the posterior cerebral cortex; the location of the primary visual cortex. |
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Term
striate cortex
(stry ate) |
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Definition
| The primary visual cortex |
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Term
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Definition
| A cross-shaped connection between the optic nerves located below the base of the brain, just anterior to the pituitary gland. |
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Term
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Definition
| The portions of the visual field in which the presentation of visual stimuli will produce an alteration in the firing rate of a particular neuron. |
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Term
protanopia
(pro tan owe pee a) |
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Definition
| An inherited form of defective color vision in which red adn green hues are confused; "red" cones are filled with "green" cone opsin. |
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Term
deuteranopia
(dew ter an owe pee a) |
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Definition
| An inherited form of defective color vision in which red and green hues are confused; "green" cones are filled with "red" cone opsin. |
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Term
tritanopia
(try tan owe pee a) |
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Definition
| An inherited form of defective color vision in which hues wiht short wavelenghts are confused; "blue" cones are either lacking or faulty. |
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Term
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Definition
| An orientation-sensitive neuron in the striate cortex whose receptive field is organized in a opponent fashion. |
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Term
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Definition
| A neuron in the visual cortex that responds to the presence of a line segment with a particular orientaton located within its receptive field, especially when the line moves perpendicularly to its orientation. |
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Term
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Definition
| A neuron in the visual cortex that responds to the presence of a line segment with a particular orientation that ends at a particular point within the cell's receptive field. |
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Term
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Definition
| A series of straight parallel bands varying continuously in brightness according to a sine-wave function, along a line perpendicular to their lenghts. |
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Term
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Definition
| The relative width of the bands in a sine-wave grating, measured in sycles per degree of visual angle. |
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Term
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Definition
| The fact that points on objects located at different distances from the observer will fall on slightly different locations on the two retinas; provides the basis for steropsis. |
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Term
| cytochrome oxidase (CO) blob |
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Definition
| The central region of a module of the primary visual cortex, revealed by a stain for cytochrome oxidase; contains wavelenght-sensitive neurons; part of the parvocellular system. |
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Term
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Definition
| A region of the visual association cortex; receives fibers from the striate cortex and from the superior colliculi and projects to the inferior temporal cortex. |
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Term
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Definition
| A system of interconnected regions of visual cortex involved in the perceptions of spatial location, beginning with the striate cortex and ending with the posterior parietal cortex. |
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Term
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Definition
| A system of interconnected regions of visual cortex involved in the perception of form, beginning with the striate cortex and ending with the inferior temporal cortex. |
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Term
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Definition
| The relatively constant appearance of the colors of objects viewed under varying ligt conditions. |
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Term
cerebral achromatopsia
(ay krohm a top see a) |
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Definition
| Inability to discriminate among different hues; caused by damage t area V8 of the visual association cortex. |
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Term
visual agnosia
(ag no zha) |
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Definition
| Deficits in visual form perception in the absence of blindness; caused by brain damage. |
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Term
| lateral occipital complex (LOC) |
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Definition
| A region of the extrastriate cortex, involved in perception of objects other than people's bodies and faces. |
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Term
prosopagnosia
(prah soh pag no zha) |
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Definition
| Failure to recognize particular people by the sight of their faces. |
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Term
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Definition
| A region of the visual association cortex located in the inferior temporal; involved in perception of faces. |
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Term
| extrastriate body area (EBA) |
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Definition
| A region of the visual association cortex located in teh lateral occipitotemporal cortex; involved in perception of the human body adn body parts other than faces. |
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Term
| parahippocampal place area (PPA) |
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Definition
| A region of the mdial temporal cortex; involved in perception of particular places ("scenes") |
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Term
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Definition
| The complex motion of points in the visual field caused by relative movement between the observer and environment; provides information about the relative distances of objects from the observer and the relative direction of movement. |
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Term
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Definition
| Inability to perceive movement, caused by damage to area V5 (also called MST) of the visual association cortex. |
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Term
| intraparietal sulcus (IPS) |
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Definition
| The end of the dorsal stream of the visual association cortex; involved in perception of location, visual attention, and control of eye and hand movements. |
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