Anatomy and Physiology Lesson 6.1 : Learning the Key Terms

Afferent Nerves

sensory transmitters that send impulses from receptors in the skin, muscles, and joints to the central nervous system

Autonomic Nervous System

branch of the nervous system that controls involuntary body functions

Cell Body

part of an axon that contains a nucleus

Central Nervous System (CNS)

the brain and spinal cord

Dendrites

branches of a neuron that collect stimuli and transport them to the cell body

Efferent Nerves

motor transmitters that carry impulses from the central nervous system out to the muscles and glands

Myelin Sheath

the fatty bands of insulation surrounding axon fibers

Neuroglia

non-neural tissue that forms the interstitial or supporting elements of the CNS; also known as glial cells

Neurilemma

the thin, membranous sheath enveloping a nerve fiber

Nodes of Ranvier

the uninsulated gaps in the myelin sheath of a nerve fiber where the axon is exposed

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

all parts of the nervous system external to the brain and spinal cord

Somatic Nervous System

branch of the nervous system that stimulates the skeletal muscles

Synapse

the intersection between a neuron and another neuron, a muscle, a gland, or a sensory receptor