Anatomy and Physiology: The Nervous System (Chapters 13 & 14)

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems, including brain anatomy, spinal cord structure, meninges, and the twelve cranial nerves.

Autonomic Nervous System

A functional division of the nervous system responsible for physiological changes during exercise, such as increased heart rate and sweating, by stimulating involuntary organs.

Sodium ($Na^+$)

The ion that enters a neuron to cause depolarization of the cell membrane.

Threshold

The state or membrane potential level at which voltage-gated $Na^+$ channels open.

Ligand-gated channel

A type of membrane channel that requires the binding of a neurotransmitter in order to open.

Summation threshold

A change in membrane potential of at least $+15\,mV$ necessary for postsynaptic potentials to result in an action potential.

Acetylcholine

The specific neurotransmitter released at the neuromuscular junction.

Somatic Nervous System

A division of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) that stimulates skeletal muscle.

Cerebrum

The largest and uppermost division of the brain, divided into right and left hemispheres.

Gyri

The convolutions or folds found on the outer part of the cerebrum.

Sulcus

A generally shallow groove on the surface of the brain.

Fissure

A generally deeper groove on the surface of the brain.

Frontal Lobe

The cerebral lobe containing the Primary Motor Area for voluntary commands and Broca’s Area for motor speech.

Parietal Lobe

The cerebral lobe responsible for Somatic Sensory interpretation, where sensory information from the skin and skeletal muscles arrives.

Temporal Lobe

The cerebral lobe containing the Auditory Area and Olfactory Area.

Occipital Lobe

The cerebral lobe containing the Visual Area.

Insula

A part of the cerebrum involved in memory and the interpretation of taste.

Broca’s Area

The motor speech area located in the frontal lobe.

Wernicke’s Area

An area of the brain responsible for understanding language.

Longitudinal Fissure

The deepest fissure that divides the cerebrum into two hemispheres.

Corpus Callosum

A curved structure composed of commissural tracts that joins the two cerebral hemispheres.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer part of the cerebrum composed of gray matter.

Nuclei

The term used for regions of gray matter located within the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Ganglia

The term used for regions of gray matter located in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

Tracts

Bundles of myelinated axons located in the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Nerves

Bundles of myelinated axons located in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

Thalamus

A major relay station for sensory impulses (except smell) and the ‐gateway to the cerebral cortex.‐

Hypothalamus

The division of the diencephalon that regulates body temperature, water balance, and metabolism, and links the nervous and endocrine systems.

Pineal Body

A pine-cone shaped structure that regulates the biological clock and secretes the hormone melatonin.

Midbrain

The part of the brainstem that conveys ascending and descending information and contains the corpora quadrigemina.

Corpora Quadrigemina

A structure in the midbrain consisting of four rounded bodies: two Superior Colliculi (visual centers) and two Inferior Colliculi (auditory centers).

Pons

Meaning ‐bridge,‐ this part of the brainstem helps regulate movements and assists with the control of breathing.

Medulla Oblongata

The part of the brainstem containing vital reflex centers for heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, and where motor tracts decussate.

Reticular Formation

A network mixture of gray and white matter in the core of the brainstem that functions as reflex centers.

Vital Reflex Centers

Reflex centers located in the Medulla essential for survival, including the Cardiac Control and Respiratory Centers.

Cerebellum

The second largest division of the brain, responsible for smooth, coordinated skeletal muscle movements, equilibrium, and posture.

Arbor Vitae

The centrally located white matter of the cerebellum, also known as the ‐Tree of Life.‐

Vermis

The central portion of the cerebellum that joins the two cerebellar hemispheres.

Paraplegia

Paralysis of the lower body and legs caused by severing the spinal cord in the thoracic region.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four limbs caused by severing the spinal cord in the cervical region.

Dorsal Nerve Root

The unipolar root of a spinal nerve that carries sensory information into the spinal cord.

Ventral Nerve Root

The multipolar root of a spinal nerve that carries motor/efferent information out to muscles and glands.

Meninges

The three connective tissue layers protecting the CNS: Dura Mater, Arachnoid Mater, and Pia Mater.

Dura Mater

The outermost, ‐tough mother‐ layer of the meninges containing venous sinuses.

Arachnoid Mater

The middle, ‐spiderweb-like‐ layer of the meninges whose space contains cerebrospinal fluid.

Pia Mater

The innermost layer of the meninges that encapsulates blood vessels.

Subarachnoid Space

The space between the arachnoid and pia mater that contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A nutritive and protective clear fluid secreted by the choroid plexus and absorbed by arachnoid villi.

Endoneurium

Connective tissue that wraps around each individual myelinated nerve fiber.

Perineurium

Connective tissue that wraps around each group of myelinated nerve fibers, known as a fascicle.

Epineurium

Connective tissue that wraps around an entire nerve.

Olfactory Nerve (I)

A sensory cranial nerve responsible for the sense of smell.

Optic Nerve (II)

A sensory cranial nerve responsible for vision.

Oculomotor Nerve (III)

A motor cranial nerve responsible for eye movements, pupil size regulation, and lens accommodation.

Trigeminal Nerve (V)

A mixed cranial nerve responsible for sensations of the head and face and the motor function of chewing.

Abducens Nerve (VI)

A motor cranial nerve responsible for lateral eye movements (abduction).

Facial Nerve (VII)

A mixed cranial nerve responsible for taste and the motor control of facial expressions.

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)

A sensory cranial nerve responsible for hearing and equilibrium.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)

A mixed cranial nerve responsible for taste, swallowing, saliva secretion, and blood pressure/respiration reflexes.

Vagus Nerve (X)

A mixed cranial nerve with widely distributed branches that slows heart rate and increases peristalsis.

Accessory Nerve (XI)

A motor cranial nerve responsible for head turning, shoulder movements, and voice production.

Hypoglossal Nerve (XII)

A motor cranial nerve responsible for tongue movements.