Psych 255 Chapter 2

Anterior

Front part of the nervous system.

Posterior

Back part of the nervous system.

Dorsal

Top side of the brain or spinal cord.

Ventral

Bottom side of the brain or spinal cord.

Medial

Middle position relative to the body.

Lateral

Side position relative to the body.

Ipsilateral

Same side of the body.

Contralateral

Opposite side of the body.

Afferent

Sensory pathways bringing information to the brain.

Efferent

Motor pathways sending commands from the brain.

Horizontal Plane

Divides body into upper and lower parts.

Sagittal Plane

Divides body into left and right parts.

Coronal Plane

Divides body into front and back parts.

Olfactory Cortex

Brain region for processing smell.

Motor Cortex

Brain region controlling voluntary movements.

Take Home Message

Understanding nervous system navigation is essential.

Sensory Information

Data received from sensory organs for processing.

Motor Response

Action initiated by the brain towards muscles.

Afferent Nerves

Nerves carrying sensory information to the brain.

Efferent Nerves

Nerves transmitting motor commands from the brain.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord; processes sensory information.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerves outside CNS; connects to body parts.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements and external interactions.

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary functions like heart rate.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Sustains non-emergency bodily functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Prepares body for action in emergencies.

Spinal Cord

Transmits signals between brain and body.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis affecting all four limbs.

Paraplegia

Paralysis affecting lower body only.

Meninges

Protective membranes encasing brain and spinal cord.

Spinal Reflex

Automatic response bypassing brain for quick action.

Neurons

Basic units of the nervous system transmitting signals.

Sensory Reality

Brain's interpretation of sensory data for perception.

Integration of Information

Combining sensory data for coherent understanding.

Behavioral Response

Actions taken based on processed sensory information.

Vestibular System

Maintains balance and spatial orientation.

Proprioceptors

Sensors providing body position and movement feedback.

Cranial Nerves

Nerves directly connecting brain to head and neck.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of PNS controlling voluntary muscle movements.

Sensory Nerves

Transmit messages from receptors to CNS.

Motor Nerves

Carry messages from CNS to muscles.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs supplying head and face functions.

Mixed Nerves

Nerves with both sensory and motor functions.

Proprioceptive Sense

Awareness of body position in space.

Sensory Pathways

Convey sensory information to the brain.

Dermatome

Area of skin supplied by a single nerve.

Law of Bell and Magendie

Sensory fibers enter dorsal, motor fibers exit ventral.

Sympathetic Pathways

Activate during stress, initiating 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Pathways

Activate during calm, promoting 'rest and digest' functions.

Efferent Motor Pathways

Nerve pathways that control body actions.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Regulates involuntary bodily functions.

Hypothalamus Role

Regulates body responses to stress and calm.

Sensory Pathways in ANS

Monitor internal organ activity and sensations.

CNS

Central nervous system; includes brain and spinal cord.

Spinal Nerves

Nerves monitored by the spinal cord.

Sweating Response

Increased sweating due to stress activation.

Heart Rate Regulation

ANS adjusts heart rate based on stress levels.

Pupil Dilation

Increased pupil size for better visual acuity.

Internal Organ Monitoring

Sensory pathways track organ activity for regulation.

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary bodily functions and processes.

Sympathetic System

Mobilizes body for emergency actions.

Parasympathetic System

Sustains non-emergency bodily functions.

Peripheral Nervous System

Transmits information to and from the CNS.

Cranial Nerve IX (CN9)

Stimulates salivation and controls swallowing.

Efferent Nerves

Motor nerves that carry signals away from CNS.

Afferent Nerves

Sensory nerves that carry signals to CNS.

Enteric Nervous System

Regulates gastrointestinal functions independently.

Vagus Nerve

Controls parasympathetic functions from the brain.

Spinal Nerves

Transmit signals between spinal cord and body.

Central Nervous System

Processes and interprets sensory information.

High Level Spinal Cord Injury

May retain organ function via vagus nerve.

Larynx and Pharynx Control

Regulates airway constriction and swallowing.

Digestive Process Regulation

Increased by parasympathetic nervous system activity.

Pupil Contraction

Occurs during relaxation, controlled by autonomic system.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid cushioning brain, circulates in subarachnoid space.

Subarachnoid Space

Area between arachnoid and pia mater filled with CSF.

Meninges

Three protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

Tough outermost layer of the meninges.

Arachnoid Layer

Middle layer of meninges with a web-like appearance.

Pia Mater

Delicate innermost layer of the meninges.

Gyri

Bumps or ridges on the brain's surface.

Sulci

Shallow valleys between gyri on the brain.

Fissures

Deep grooves separating major brain regions.

Central Fissure

Divides frontal and parietal lobes.

Longitudinal Fissure

Separates left and right hemispheres.

Lateral (Sylvian) Fissure

Divides temporal lobe from frontal and parietal lobes.

White Matter

Brain areas rich in myelinated axons.

Gray Matter

Brain areas composed mainly of cell bodies.

Ventricles

Cavities in the brain producing cerebrospinal fluid.

Third Ventricle

Located centrally within the brain, produces CSF.

Fourth Ventricle

Connects to the spinal canal, contains CSF.

Lateral Ventricles

Two large cavities in each hemisphere of the brain.

Cerebellum

Brain region responsible for coordination and balance.

Frontal Lobe

Region associated with reasoning and planning.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information from the body.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in auditory processing and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Responsible for visual processing.

Brainstem

Controls basic life functions like breathing.

Cranial Nerves

Nerves that emerge directly from the brain.

Insular Lobe

Fifth lobe involved in consciousness and emotion.