Cranial and Spinal Nerves Lecture Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key concepts from the lecture, including cranial and spinal nerve anatomy, the autonomic nervous system divisions, and neurotransmitter receptor types.

Vagus Nerve (Cranial Nerve 10)

A cranial nerve that carries about $90\%$ of all parasympathetic preganglionic fibers and travels from the brain to organs in the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Schwann cell

A cell where the nucleus is located very close to the outside, which allows DNA to replicate.

Tricuspid valve

The heart valve located on the right side of the heart.

Mitral valve

The heart valve located on the left side of the heart.

SVC

Stands for Superior Vena Cava, which brings blood into the right atrium.

Spinal cord bone count

In infants, there are $33$ bones; after babies grow and bones undergo fusion, the number becomes $26$.

Spinal nerves

Mixed nerves containing both sensory and motor fibers, with the textbook identifying $31$ pairs.

ICP

Stands for Increased Cerebellar (Intracranial) Pressure, which can be caused by fluid buildup or ruptured blood vessels and is measured via lumbar puncture.

Gray matter

Brain tissue located on the outside that forms barriers.

White matter

Brain tissue located on the inside that consists of axons and fat.

Sympathetic division

Also called the thoracolumbar division, it prepares the body for physical activity and is responsible for the fight or flight reaction.

Parasympathetic division

Also called the craniosacral division, it has a calming effect on body function and arises from the brain and sacral region of the spinal cord.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that binds to cholinergic receptors, specifically nicotinic or muscarinic receptors.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter that binds to adrenergic receptors, specifically alpha-adrenergic or beta-adrenergic receptors.

Alpha-adrenergic receptors

Adrenergic receptors that are typically excited by norepinephrine.

Beta-adrenergic receptors

Adrenergic receptors that are typically inhibited by norepinephrine.

Nicotinic receptors

Cholinergic receptors that are always excited by acetylcholine.

Muscarinic receptors

Cholinergic receptors that exhibit a variable response to acetylcholine, being either excited or inhibited.

Somatic nervous system

A division of the nervous system that operates under voluntary control.

CO2

The chemical formula for carbon dioxide.