The Central Nervous System Overview

A collection of vocabulary terms related to the central nervous system, covering key components, functions, and pathology.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid that cushions the brain and serves as a buffer, involved in the production and circulation within the CNS.

Neurons

Principal functional units of the CNS that receive and transmit impulses.

Microglia

Cells in the brain derived from bone marrow that act as macrophages, responding to injury and infection.

Astrocytes

Support cells in the CNS providing nutrients, detoxifying, and aiding in repair.

Oligodendrocytes

Cells that wrap around neurons to insulate them and help transmit impulses efficiently.

Gliosis

Scarring in the CNS, typically associated with damage and repair processes.

Hydrocephalus

Accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricular system, leading to increased intracranial pressure.

Ventricles of the Brain

Cavities in the brain that produce and contain cerebrospinal fluid.

Intracranial Hemorrhage

Bleeding within the cranial cavity, often associated with trauma or vascular diseases.

Cerebral Edema

Swelling of the brain due to increased fluid leakage from blood vessels or injury.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear, colorless fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, acting as a crucial buffer and cushion against physical shock and injury. It also plays a vital role in transporting nutrients, removing metabolic waste products from the neural tissue, and providing buoyancy to the brain, reducing its effective weight.

Neurons

The fundamental functional units of the central nervous system, responsible for receiving, processing, and transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals. Each neuron typically consists of a cell body (soma), dendrites (receiving signals), and an axon (transmitting signals).

Microglia

Specialized immune cells within the CNS, derived from bone marrow. They act as the primary form of active immune defense, functioning as macrophages that detect and phagocytose damaged cells, plaques, and infectious agents, and play a crucial role in responding to injury or infection.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped glial cells in the CNS that provide extensive support to neurons. Their functions include providing structural support, regulating the extracellular environment by maintaining ion balance, supplying nutrients, facilitating detoxification, contributing to the blood-brain barrier, and helping in repair processes after injury.

Oligodendrocytes

A type of glial cell found in the CNS that produces myelin. Myelin is a fatty sheath that wraps around neuronal axons, acting as electrical insulation to enhance the speed and efficiency of nerve impulse transmission.

Gliosis

A non-specific reactive change of glial cells (particularly astrocytes and microglia) in response to CNS damage. It involves the proliferation and hypertrophy of these cells, often leading to the formation of a glial scar, which can impede axonal regeneration.

Hydrocephalus

A medical condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain. This accumulation leads to increased intracranial pressure, which can result from impaired CSF absorption, obstruction of CSF flow, or, less commonly, overproduction of CSF.

Ventricles of the Brain

A connected system of four cavities (two lateral ventricles, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle) deep within the brain. They are responsible for the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) primarily by the choroid plexus, and for its circulation throughout the CNS.

Intracranial Hemorrhage

Bleeding occurring within the cranial cavity, which can be life-threatening. It often results from trauma (e.g., epidural, subdural hematoma) or non-traumatic causes such as rupture of an aneurysm (e.g., subarachnoid hemorrhage), arteriovenous malformations, or uncontrolled hypertension (e.g., intracerebral hemorrhage).

Cerebral Edema

Swelling of brain tissue due to an increase in intracellular or extracellular fluid. There are primarily two types: vasogenic edema (caused by a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier leading to fluid leakage from blood vessels into the extracellular space) and cytotoxic edema (resulting

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear, colorless fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, acting as a crucial buffer and cushion against physical shock and injury. It also plays a vital role in transporting nutrients, removing metabolic waste products from the neural tissue, and providing buoyancy to the brain, reducing its effective weight.

Neurons

The fundamental functional units of the central nervous system, responsible for receiving, processing, and transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals. Each neuron typically consists of a cell body (soma), dendrites (receiving signals), and an axon (transmitting signals).

Microglia

Specialized immune cells within the CNS, derived from bone marrow. They act as the primary form of active immune defense, functioning as macrophages that detect and phagocytose damaged cells, plaques, and infectious agents, and play a crucial role in responding to injury or infection.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped glial cells in the CNS that provide extensive support to neurons. Their functions include providing structural support, regulating the extracellular environment by maintaining ion balance, supplying nutrients, facilitating detoxification, contributing to the blood-brain barrier, and helping in repair processes after injury.

Oligodendrocytes

A type of glial cell found in the CNS that produces myelin. Myelin is a fatty sheath that wraps around neuronal axons, acting as electrical insulation to enhance the speed and efficiency of nerve impulse transmission.

Gliosis

A non-specific reactive change of glial cells (particularly astrocytes and microglia) in response to CNS damage. It involves the proliferation and hypertrophy of these cells, often leading to the formation of a glial scar, which can impede axonal regeneration.

Hydrocephalus

A medical condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain. This accumulation leads to increased intracranial pressure, which can result from impaired CSF absorption, obstruction of CSF flow, or, less commonly, overproduction of CSF.

Ventricles of the Brain

A connected system of four cavities (two lateral ventricles, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle) deep within the brain. They are responsible for the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) primarily by the choroid plexus, and for its circulation throughout the CNS.

Intracranial Hemorrhage

Bleeding occurring within the cranial cavity, which can be life-threatening. It often results from trauma (e.g., epidural, subdural hematoma) or non-traumatic causes such as rupture of an aneurysm (e.g., subarachnoid hemorrhage), arteriovenous malformations, or uncontrolled hypertension (e.g., intracerebral hemorrhage).

Cerebral Edema

Swelling of brain tissue due to an increase in intracellular or extracellular fluid. There are primarily two types: vasogenic edema (caused by a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier leading to fluid leakage from blood vessels into the extracellular space) and cytotoxic edema (resulting from cell injury and dysfunction, causing fluid accumulation within the cells).