Anatomy and Physiology for Massage Therapy II - Nervous System

These vocabulary flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the nervous system as they pertain to anatomy and physiology for massage therapy.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of cranial and spinal nerves that connect the CNS to sensory receptors, muscles, and glands.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Afferent Nerves

Carry sensory information from receptors to the central nervous system.

Efferent Nerves

Carry motor information from the central nervous system to muscles and glands.

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

Controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Regulates involuntary body responses, such as heart rate and digestion.

Sympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for fight or flight.

Parasympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that promotes rest and digest functions.

Dermatome

An area of skin innervated by sensory fibers from a single spinal nerve root.

Myotome

A group of muscles innervated by motor fibers from a single spinal nerve root.

Lower Motor Neurons (LMNs)

Nerves that extend from the brain stem and spinal cord to innervate skeletal muscles.

First-order Neurons

Transmit impulses from somatic receptors to the brain stem or spinal cord.

Second-order Neurons

Transmit impulses from the brain stem or spinal cord to the thalamus.

Third-order Neurons

Transmit impulses from the thalamus to the primary somatosensory area of the cortex.

Phrenic Nerve

A vital nerve from the cervical plexus that innervates the diaphragm.

Cervical Plexus

A network of spinal nerves from C1-C4 that supplies the neck and diaphragm.

Brachial Plexus

A network of nerves from C5-T1 that innervates the upper limb.

Lumbar Plexus

A network of spinal nerves from L1-L4 that innervates the lower back and anterior thigh.

Sacral Plexus

A network of spinal nerves from L4-S3 that innervates the pelvis and lower limb.

Sciatic Nerve

The largest and longest nerve in the body, branching into the tibial and common fibular nerves.

Endoneurium

A connective tissue sheath surrounding each individual nerve fiber.

Perineurium

A connective tissue sheath surrounding a fascicle of nerve fibers.

Epineurium

The outermost layer of connective tissue surrounding an entire spinal nerve.

Tendon Reflexes

Involuntary responses to stimuli that involve sensory neurons and spinal cord motor neurons.

Skeletal Muscles

Muscles that are under voluntary control, primarily under the somatic nervous system.

Smooth Muscles

Muscles that are under involuntary control, primarily regulated by the autonomic nervous system.

Cardiac Muscles

Muscle tissues found in the heart that are involuntarily controlled.

Congenital Nerve Conditions

Disorders present at birth that affect nerve function and can impact sensory and motor skills.

Intervertebral Foramen

The opening between adjacent vertebrae through which spinal nerves exit the spinal column.

Central Canal

The tiny channel within the spinal cord that contains cerebrospinal fluid.

Gray Matter

Neural tissue primarily made up of neuronal cell bodies and unmyelinated axons.

White Matter

Neural tissue made up of myelinated axons that form the pathways for nerve signal transmission.