Divisions of the Nervous System (2113 Exam 1)

Rostral/Anterior

Front

Caudal/Posterior

Back

Dorsal

Top

Ventral

Back

Lateral

Sides

Medial

Middle

Superior

Above

Inferior

Below

Ipsilateral

Same side

Contralateral

Opposite Sides

Coronal Plane

Frontal Section

Axial/Transverse Plane

Horizontal Section

Sagittal/Midsagittal Plane

Middle Section

Autonomic Nervous System (PNS)

Control involuntary bodily functions

Somatic Nervous System (PNS)

Controls voluntary bodily functions

Sympathetic Division (ANS)

Fight or Flight Response

Parasympathetic Division (ANS)

Rest & Digest Response

Cranial Nerves (SNS)

Controls Cranial Movements

Spinal Nerves (SNS)

Mediate stress reactions, pain perception, and involuntary behaviors, while psychological factors like fear, catastrophizing, and stress significantly influence spinal motor behavior and pain perception

Dorsal Root (Afferent Axon)

A cluster of neurons on the spinal nerve roots that processes sensory information, specifically acting as a "traffic light" that controls pain signals traveling to the brain

Ventral Root (Efferent Root)

The anterior motor branch of a spinal nerve that transmits efferent signals from the central nervous system to skeletal muscles, driving voluntary movement

Meninges

Three protective membranes (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater) enveloping the brain and spinal cord, serving as a critical physical and immune barrier

Dura Mater

The thickest, toughest, outermost layer of the three meninges, providing crucial protective covering for the brain and spinal cord

Arachnoid Membrane

The thin, web-like middle layer of the meninges that cushions the central nervous system, creates the subarachnoid space, and facilitates cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reabsorption

Subarachnoid Space

Its primary functions include cushioning the brain and spinal cord, supplying nutrients, removing waste, providing immunological support, and allowing essential cerebral blood vessels to pass through

Pia Mater

The delicate, innermost meningeal layer that directly adheres to the surface of the brain and spinal cord. Its primary functions include providing physical support, protecting the central nervous system (CNS), facilitating blood vessel nourishment, maintaining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barriers, and aiding in brain homeostasis

Ventricles

The two lower chambers of the heart responsible for pumping blood throughout the body

Lateral Ventricles

Two C-shaped cavities within the cerebral hemispheres that primarily produce, store, and circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Third Ventricles

A narrow, midline cavity in the brain that produces, stores, and circulates cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to cushion the brain, transport nutrients, and remove waste

Cerebral Aqueduct

A narrow 15 mm canal in the midbrain that functions as a critical passageway for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flow from the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle

Fourth Ventricle

Receives CSF from the midbrain aqueduct (of Sylvius) and drains this fluid to the subarachnoid space via its median (Magendie) and lateral foramina (Luschka)

Cerebrospinal Fluid

A clear liquid produced in the brain's ventricles that protects the central nervous system by providing buoyancy, shock absorption, and waste removal

Gyri

The elevated ridges of the cerebral cortex that increase surface area, allowing more neurons to fit within the skull to enhance cognitive function, processing power, and brain complexity

Sulci

The grooves or inward folds on the surface of the cerebral cortex, functioning primarily to increase the brain's surface area, allowing more cerebral cortex (gray matter) to fit within the skull, and to partition the brain into distinct functional lobes

Frontal Lobe (Front)

Responsible for voluntary movement, high-level planning, decision-making, reasoning, impulse control, personality, and speech production (Broca’s area)

Parietal Lobe (Top-Middle)

Processes sensory information regarding touch, temperature, pain, and pressure. It is also responsible for spatial awareness, navigation, and language interpretation

Occipital Lobe (Back)

The primary center for visual processing, including recognition of shapes, colors, and movement

Temporal Lobe (Side/Bottom)

Essential for auditory processing, language comprehension (Wernicke's area), memory formation, and emotion regulation

Cerebellum

Located at the back of the brain, is crucial for coordinating voluntary movements, maintaining balance, posture, and muscle tone

Walter Freeman

Developed icepick lobotomies

Limbic System (Hippocampus, Amygdala, Limbic/Cingulate cortex, Fornix, Mammillary bodies)

Located deep within the cerebrum, which serves as the brain's "emotional center". It primarily controls emotions, motivations, behavior, long-term memory formation, and the sense of smell (olfaction)

Basal Ganglia

A crucial processing system for motor control, habit formation, emotional regulation, and cognitive decision-making

Diencephalon (Thalamus, Hypothalamus)

A critical forebrain region located deep within the brain, acting as a primary relay and control center for sensory, motor, and autonomic functions

Midbrain

The top part of the brainstem, acts as a critical bridge between the forebrain and hindbrain, managing vital motor, sensory, and autonomic functions

Hindbrain

Located at the base of the skull, is essential for survival by controlling autonomic, life-sustaining functions and coordinating movement