ch07 nervous system and mental health ( enrichment terms: structure and function)

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter; activity involving acetylcholine is described as cholinergic

Basal ganglia

Four masses of gray matter in the cerebrum and upper brain stem that are involved in movement and coordination

Blood-brain barrier

Special membrane between circulating blood and the brain that prevents certain damaging substances from reaching brain tissue

Broca area

Area in the left frontal lobe of the cerebrum that controls speech production

Cerebral arterial circle

Interconnection of several arteries supplying the brain; located at the base of the cerebrum; circle of Willis

Contralateral

Affecting the opposite side of the body

Corpus callosum

Large band of connecting fingers between the cerebral hemispheres

Dermatome

Area of the skin supplied by a spinal nerve; term also refers to an instrument used to cut skin for grafting

Ipsilateral

On the same side; unilateral

Leptomeninges

Pia mater and arachnoid together

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter very similar in chemical composition and function to the hormone epinephrine; also called noradrenalin

Nucleus

Collection of nerve cells within the central nervous system

Plexus

Network, as of nerves or blood vessels

Pyramidal tracts

Group of moor tracts involved in fine coordination

Reticular activating system (RAS)

Widespread system in the brain that maintains wakefulness

Schwann cells

Cells that produce the myelin sheath around peripheral axons

Wernicke area

Area in the temporal lobe concerned with speech comprehension