Marieb Human Anatomy & Physiology: Chapter 12 - The Central Nervous System

Vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from Chapter 12 of the Human Anatomy & Physiology lecture.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Cephalization

Evolutionary development of the rostral (anterior) portion of the CNS, resulting in an increased number of neurons.

Neural Tube

Embryologically, the brain and spinal cord begin as this structure.

Prosencephalon

Also known as the forebrain, one of the three primary brain vesicles.

Diencephalon

Develops from the prosencephalon and becomes the epithalamus, thalamus, and hypothalamus.

Cerebral Hemispheres

Make up 83% of the brain mass and form the superior part of the brain.

Gray Matter

Composed of short, nonmyelinated neurons and cell bodies.

White Matter

Consists of myelinated and nonmyelinated axons.

Ventricles

Fluid-filled chambers in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A fluid that provides buoyancy to CNS structures and protects the brain.

Hypothalamus

Main visceral control center vital to homeostasis, involved in regulating various bodily functions.

Limbic System

A functional system that mediates emotional responses and is involved in memory processing.

Blood Brain Barrier

A selective permeability barrier that helps maintain a stable environment for the brain.

Pons

A region in the brain stem between the midbrain and medulla oblongata that relays information.

Spinal Cord

Enclosed in the vertebral column and serves as a major reflex center.

Motor Areas

Sections of the cerebral cortex responsible for controlling voluntary movement.

Sensory Areas

Regions of the cerebral cortex that are responsible for the conscious awareness of sensation.

Multimodal Association Areas

Receive inputs from multiple sensory areas and integrate information.

Parkinson’s Disease

A degenerative disorder caused by the degeneration of dopamine-releasing neurons.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive degenerative disease resulting in dementia.

Spinal Nerves

Part of the PNS that attach to the spinal cord and are involved in spinal cord communication.

Flaccid Paralysis

A condition caused by damage to the ventral root or ventral horn cells, leading to lack of muscle control.

Myelomeningocele

A more severe case of spina bifida where portions of the spinal cord protrude through the skin.