Central and Peripheral Nervous System Structure and Function

Vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomical structure, development, protection, and functional divisions of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Proliferation

The initial stage of central nervous system development in which neurons divide and multiply through neurogenesis.

Radial Glial Cells

Specialized glial cells that serve as scaffolding for immature neurons to climb along during migration to their final brain locations.

Circuit Pruning

A process of neural development where active synapses are strengthened and inactive ones are removed, decreasing with age.

Meninges

The three-layered membrane consisting of dura mater, arachnoid membrane, and pia mater that encases and protects the central nervous system.

Dura Mater

The outermost, tough, and flexible layer of the meninges lining the skull.

Arachnoid Membrane

The web-like middle layer of the meninges located between the outer dura mater and the inner pia mater that contains blood vessels.

Pia Mater

The thin and delicate innermost layer of the meninges that directly covers the surface of the brain and spinal cord.

Subarachnoid Space

The fluid-filled space located between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater that contains cerebrospinal fluid to cushion the brain.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear fluid similar to blood plasma that fills the ventricular system and the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

A protective barrier formed by non-porous capillary walls insulated by astrocytes that isolates the central nervous system from foreign substances in the blood.

Area Postrema

A specialized region of the brainstem with a weak blood-brain barrier that functions as the vomiting center.

Gray Matter

Outer tissue layer of the cerebral cortex approximately 2 mm thick consisting primarily of neuronal cell bodies.

White Matter

Inner tissue regions of the brain composed mainly of myelinated axons.

Gyri

Elevated ridges or bumps on the surface of the cerebral cortex.

Sulci

Small grooves or furrows separating gyri on the surface of the brain, with larger grooves referred to as fissures.

Precentral Gyrus

The gyrus located in the frontal lobe that houses the primary motor cortex.

Postcentral Gyrus

The gyrus located in the parietal lobe that houses the primary somatosensory cortex.

Frontal Lobe

Lobe of the cerebral cortex responsible for motor control, prefrontal functions, speech production, and planning.

Parietal Lobe

Lobe of the cerebral cortex containing the somatosensory cortex which processes body sensations, skin senses, position, and movement.

Temporal Lobe

Lobe separated by the lateral fissure containing the primary auditory cortex, language comprehension areas, and visual identification structures.

Occipital Lobe

Posterior lobe of the brain containing the primary visual cortex.

Broca's Area

Functional brain area located in the frontal lobe involved in motor speech production.

Wernicke's Area

Functional region located in the temporal lobe responsible for language comprehension and production.

Thalamus

Forebrain structure that serves as a major relay station for sensory processing and regulates arousal.

Hypothalamus

Forebrain structure situated below the thalamus that regulates motivated behaviors like hunger, thirst, and body temperature.

Pineal Gland

An endocrine structure that regulates daily circadian rhythms by secreting the hormone melatonin.

Corpus Callosum

A dense band of nerve fibers connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Anterior Commissure

A secondary, smaller band of connecting fibers that bridges the two cerebral hemispheres.

Basal Ganglia

A group of subcortical forebrain nuclei including the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus involved in motor control and behavior switching.

Caudate Nucleus

Part of the basal ganglia involved in feedback learning, OCD, and motor memories; its degeneration is a primary cause of Parkinson's disease.

Putamen

Basal ganglia structure involved in motor control, speech articulation, language functions, reward, cognitive functioning, and addiction.

Globus Pallidus

Subcortical structure within the basal ganglia that sends output information to the thalamus and subthalamic regions.

Amygdala

A limbic system structure primarily involved in processing emotions.

Hippocampus

A curved structure in the forebrain crucial for memory processing and formation.

Medulla

Lower brainstem structure in the hindbrain that controls essential autonomic life functions.

Pons

Hindbrain structure containing part of the reticular formation that serves as a bridge between brain regions.

Cerebellum

Hindbrain structure located posterior to the brainstem that coordinates motor activity, balance, and fine movement.

Superior Colliculi

Midbrain structures involved in secondary visual processing and visual reflexes.

Inferior Colliculi

Midbrain structures involved in auditory processing and sound reflexes.

Somatic Nervous System

Subsystem of the peripheral nervous system consisting of motor and sensory neurons that allow sensing and responding to the external environment.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Subsystem of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary functions of smooth muscles, glands, heart, and internal organs.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response, preparing the body for demands and emergencies.

Retinotopic Map

Organizational mapping in the primary visual cortex where adjacent receptors in the retina project to adjacent points in the cortex.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Brain damage resulting from external physical forces, such as a blow to the head, penetration, or rapid acceleration/deceleration.