Neuroanatomy and Nervous System Overview

Flashcards covering standard anatomical terminology, neuroanatomy specifics, nervous system organization, embryology, cell types, neurophysiology, brain divisions, and clinical disorders based on the lecture notes.

Dexter

Standard anatomical term for the right side of the patient.

Sinister

Standard anatomical term for the left side of the patient.

Anterior

The front of the body.

Posterior

The back of the body.

Ventral

The front of the embryo before limb rotation, which is equivalent to anterior in humans.

Dorsal

The back of the embryo before limb rotation, which is equivalent to posterior in humans.

Superior

A position above a reference point.

Inferior

A position below a reference point.

Cranial

Towards the skull.

Caudal

Towards the coccyx.

Proximal

Towards a reference point.

Distal

Away from a reference point.

Superficial

Towards the surface of the body.

Deep

Away from the surface of the body.

Medial

Towards the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Prone

Horizontal position face down.

Supine

Horizontal position face up.

Median plane

A plane passing through the body's midline, separating left and right equally.

Sagittal plane

A plane separating the body into uneven left and right portions.

Frontal/coronal plane

A plane that separates the body into front and back.

Transverse plane

A plane dividing the body into upper and lower sections, referred to as the axial plane in radiology.

Viscera

The internal organs.

Nuclei

A group of neurons located WITHIN the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Ganglion

A group of neurons located OUTSIDE the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Plexus

A network of intersecting structures, such as a nerve plexus (brachial, sacral, lumbar, spinal) or a vascular plexus (choroid plexus).

Neuron

A single excitable nerve cell possessing one axon.

Neuroglion

A single non-excitable nerve cell with a supportive role.

Tract

A group of nerve fibers (axons) located WITHIN the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Nerve

A group of nerve fibers (axons) located INSIDE the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

Ramus

A branch of an existing nerve.

Sulcus

A shallow groove in the brain.

Fissure

A deep groove in the brain.

Gyrus

A bump or raised surface on the brain.

Sensory Input

The process where receptors identify internal or external changes (stimuli).

Integration

The process where the CNS (brain and spinal cord) interprets stimuli to make decisions.

Motor Output

The activation of effectors, such as muscles or glands, to produce a response.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The command center consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

All nerves (cranial and spinal), ganglia, and receptors outside the CNS.

Sensory (Afferent) Fibers

Fibers that convey impulses TO the CNS from receptors.

Motor (Efferent) Fibers

Fibers that carry impulses FROM the CNS to effector organs.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary functions of skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Controls involuntary functions of smooth and cardiac muscles; divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic.

Sympathetic Division

The 'Fight or Flight' division (thoracolumbar) that increases heart rate and redirects blood to skeletal muscles.

Parasympathetic Division

The 'Rest and Digest' division (craniosacral) that slows heart rate and increases GI activity.

White matter

Composed of the processes of neurons (axons), neuroglia, and blood vessels.

Grey matter

Composed of cell bodies, processes of neurons, neuroglia, and blood vessels.

Foramen

A hole in the bone allowing passage of nerves, vessels, or fluid like CSF.

Ectoderm

The germ layer giving rise to columnar epithelium and the entire nervous system.

Neural Crest Cells

Cells that differentiate into the posterior root ganglia, Schwann cells, autonomic ganglia, and melanocytes.

Primary Brain Vesicles

The forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain formed at the cephalic end of the neural tube.

Cephalic flexure

The brain flexure located at the midbrain.

Cervical flexure

The brain flexure located between the hindbrain and the spinal cord.

Pontine flexure

The brain flexure in the hindbrain related to the development of the 4th ventricle and cerebellum.

Astrocytes

CNS neuroglia that provide structural support, form the Blood-Brain Barrier, and regulate ions and neurotransmitters.

Oligodendrocytes

CNS neuroglia that form the myelin sheath around axons to speed up impulse conduction.

Microglia

Immune cells in the CNS responsible for phagocytosis.

Ependymal cells

Cells lining ventricles and the central canal that produce and circulate CSF.

Schwann cells

PNS neuroglia that form the myelin sheath and assist in nerve regeneration.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath where voltage-gated channels cluster.

Depolarization

The phase of a nerve impulse where stimulus causes sodium ($Na^+$) to rush into the cell.

Repolarization

The phase where potassium ($K^+$) rushes out of the cell to restore electrical balance.

Pia mater

The innermost meningeal membrane of the brain and spinal cord.

Arachnoid mater

The middle meningeal membrane.

Dura mater

The outermost meningeal membrane.

Broca’s Area

Located in the left frontal lobe; responsible for speech production.

Wernicke’s Area

Located in the left temporal lobe; responsible for language comprehension.

Cerebral Aqueduct of Sylvius

A narrow passage connecting the 3rd and 4th ventricles; a common site of blockage leading to hydrocephalus.

Pterion

The junction of frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones; overlies the middle meningeal artery.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

An autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of myelin sheaths.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

A stroke caused by ruptured or blocked blood vessels.