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Nervous System
Flashcards
86
Anatomy
Undergraduate 1
01/02/2016

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Term
central nervous system (CNS)
Definition
the brain and spinal cord
Term
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Definition
the nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body
Term
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Definition
division of the human nervous system that regulates involuntary actions
Term
neurons
Definition
nerve cell, including its processes (axons and dendrites)
Term
glia
Definition
supporting cells of nervous tissue, also called neuroglia
Term
cell body
Definition
the main part of a neuron from which the dendrites and axons extend
Term
dendrites
Definition
branching or tree-like; a nerve cell process that transmits impulses toward the the body
Term
axon
Definition
nerve cell impluse that transmits impulses away from the cell body
Term
sensory neurons
Definition
neuron that transmits impulses to the spinal cord and brain from all parts of the body
Term
afferent neurons
Definition
carrying or conveying toward the center(an afferent neuron carries nerve impulses toward the central nervous system)
Term
motor neurons
Definition
transmits nerve impulses from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glandular epithelial tissue
Term
efferent neurons
Definition
neuron that transmits impulses from the central nervous system to the periphery; opposite in direction to of afferent neurons
Term
interneurons
Definition
nerve that conducts impulses from sensory neurons to motor neurons; sometimes called a central or connecting neuron
Term
myelin
Definition
lipoid substance found in the myelin sheath around some nerve fibers
Term
myelinated fibers
Definition
axons outside the central nervous system that are surrounded by a segmented wrapping of myelin
Term
Nodes of Ranvier
Definition
indentations that are found between adjacent Schwann cells
Term
neurilemma
Definition
nerve sheath
Term
glioma
Definition
one of the most common types of brain tumors
Term
astrocytes
Definition
a glial cell
Term
blood-brain barrier
Definition
two-ply wall formed by the wall of a capillary and the surrounding extensions of a glial cell called an astryocyte, functions to prevent harmful chemicals from entering vital brain tissue
Term
microglia
Definition
one type of connective tissue found in the brain and spinal cord
Term
oligodendrocytes
Definition
a cell that holds nerve fibers together and produces the myelin sheath around the axons in the central nervous system
Term
Schwann Cells
Definition
large nucleated cells that form myelin
Term
nerve
Definition
collection of nerve fibers
Term
tracts
Definition
a single nerve pathway made up of several bundles of axons and extending through the central nervous system
Term
white matter
Definition
nerves covered with white myelin
Term
gray matter
Definition
tissue comprising cell bodies and unmyelinated axons and dendrites
Term
endoneurium
Definition
the thin wrapping of fibrous connective tissue that surrounds each axon in a nerve
Term
fascicles
Definition
a small bundle of fibers, as in a small bundle of nerve fibers or muscle fibers
Term
perineurium
Definition
connective tissue that encircles a bundle of nerve fibers within a nerve
Term
reflex arc
Definition
allows impulse to travel in only one direction
Term
receptors
Definition
peripheral beginning of a sensory neuron's dendrite
Term
ganglion
Definition
a region of gray (unmyelinated) nerve tissue
Term
synapse
Definition
junction between adjacent neurons
Term
effector
Definition
responding organ, for example, voluntary and involuntary muscle, the heart and glands
Term
reflex
Definition
involuntary action
Term
withdrawal reflex
Definition
a reflex that moves a body part away from an irritating stimulus
Term
saltatory conduction
Definition
when a nerve impulse encounters myelin and "jumps" from one node of Ranvier to the next
Term
presynaptic neuron
Definition
a neuron situated proximal to a synapse
Term
postsynaptic neuron
Definition
a neuron situated distal to a synapse
Term
synaptic knob
Definition
a tiny knob at the end of a terminal branch of a presynaptic neuron's axon that contains vesicles with neurotransmitters
Term
synaptic cleft
Definition
the place between a synaptic knob and the plasma membrane of a postsynaptic neuron
Term
neurotransmitters
Definition
chemicals by which nerves communicate
Term
acetylcholine
Definition
chemical neurotransmitter
Term
norepinephrine
Definition
hormone secreted by adrenal medulla ; released by sympathetic nervous system
Term
dopamine
Definition
chemical neurotransmitter
Term
serotonin
Definition
a neurotransmitter that belongs to a group of compounds called catecholamines
Term
catchecholamines
Definition
norepinephrine and epinephrine
Term
endorphins
Definition
any group of chemicals in the central nervous system that influence pain perception; a natural painkiller
Term
enkephalins
Definition
peptide chemical in the central nervous system that acts as a natural painkiller
Term
medulla oblongata
Definition
the lowest part of the brainstem; an enlarged extension of the spinal cord; the vital centers are located in this area
Term
reticular formation
Definition
located in the medulla where bits of gray and white matter mix intricately
Term
pons
Definition
the part of the brainstem between the medulla oblongata and the midbrain
Term
cerebellum
Definition
the second largest part of the human brain that plays an essential role in the production of normal movements
Term
hypothalamus
Definition
vital endoendocrine and autonomic control center beneath the thalamus
Term
thalamus
Definition
located just above the hypothalamus; its functions are to help produce sensations and associate sensations with emotions; plays a part in the arousal mechanism
Term
antidiuretic hormone
Definition
hormone produced in the posterior pituitary gland to regulate the balance of water in the body by accelerating the reabsorption of water
Term
pineal gland
Definition
endocrine gland located in the third ventricle of the brain; produces melatonin
Term
cerebrum
Definition
the largest and most upper part of the human brain that controls consciousness, memory, sensations, emotions and voluntary movements
Term
corpus callosum
Definition
where the right and left cerebral hemispheres are joined
Term
cerebral cortex
Definition
a thin layer of gray matter made up of neuron dendrites and cell bodies that compose the surface of the cerebrum
Term
cerebrovascular accident
Definition
a hemorrhage or cessation of blood flow through cerebral blood vessels resulting in destruction of neurons; commonly called a stroke
Term
spinal tracts
Definition
any of the white columns of the spinal cord that provide two-way conduction paths to and from the brain
Term
anesthesia
Definition
loss of sensation
Term
paralysis
Definition
loss of the power of motion, especially voluntary motion
Term
meninges
Definition
fluid containing membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Term
dura mater
Definition
literally "strong or hard mother"; outermost layer of the meninges
Term
pia mater
Definition
the vascular innermost covering of the brain and spinal cord
Term
arachnoid mater
Definition
delicate, web-like middle membrane covering the brain
Term
cerebrospinal fluid
Definition
fluid that fills the subarachnoid space in the brain and spinal cord and in the cerebral ventricles
Term
ventricles
Definition
small cavity, such as the pumping chambers of the heart
Term
choroid plexus
Definition
a network of brain capillaries that are involved with the production of cerebrospinal fluid
Term
hydrocephalus
Definition
abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid "water on the brain".
Term
cranial nerves
Definition
any of 12 pairs of nerves that attach to the undersurface of the brain and conduct impulses between the brain and structures in the head, neck and thorax
Term
spinal nerves
Definition
nerve that connects the spinal cord to peripheral structures such as the skin and skeletal muscles
Term
dermatomes
Definition
any of the skin surface areas supplied by a singe spinal nerve
Term
sympathetic nervous system
Definition
part of the autonomic nervous system; ganglia are connected to the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord; functions as an emergency system
Term
parasympathetic nervous system
Definition
part of the autonomic nervous system; ganglia are connected to the brainstem and the sacral segments of the spinal cord; controls many visceral effectors under normal conditions
Term
autonomic neurons
Definition
motor neurons that make up the autonomic nervous system
Term
preganglionic neurons
Definition
autonomic neuron that conducts nerve impulses between the spinal cord and the ganglion
Term
postganglionic neurons
Definition
autonomic neuron that conducts nerve impulses from a ganglion to cardiac or smooth muscle or glandular epithelial tissue
Term
sympathetic preganglionic neurons
Definition
dendrites and cell body are located in the gray matter of the thoracic and lumbar segments of the spinal cord; axon leaves the cord through an anterior root of a spinal nerve and terminates in a collateral ganglion
Term
fight-flight response
Definition
the changes produced by increased sympathetic impulses allowing the body to deal with any type of stress
Term
cholinergic fibers
Definition
axon whose terminals release acetylcholine
Term
adrenergic fibers
Definition
axon whose terminal releases norepinephrine and epinephrine
Term
limbic system
Definition
a collection of various small regions of the brain that act together to produce emotion and emotional response
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