Nervous System Med Term

sensory input

Information gathered by sensory receptors about internal and external changes that is sent to CNS

motor output

CNS transmits messages to effectors (muscles, organs, etc..)

Integration of information

CNS processes and interprets info received through sensory organs

Neuron

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Myelin

fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse

Axon

A threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body.

Dendrites

Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.

cell body

the cell's life support center

neuroglial cells

provide physical support, insulation, and nutrients for neurons. "Glue".

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

axon terminal

The endpoint of a neuron where neurotransmitters are stored

Synapse

the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron

synaptic cleft

The narrow gap that separates the presynaptic neuron from the postsynaptic cell.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

brain and spinal cord

nerve

A bundle of neurons

Function of CNS

control center of body; relays messages, processes, and analyzes information

brain

The mass of nerve tissue that is the main control center of the nervous system.

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain; responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought, and memory.

cerebral cortex

outer region of the cerebrum, containing sheets of nerve cells; gray matter of the brain

frontal lobe

associated with reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement, emotions, and problem solving

parietal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch.

occipital lobe

controls vision

temporal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.

Cerebellum

A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills such as balance and equilibrium.

Diencephalon

Contains thalamus and hypothalamus

Thalamus

relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex

Hypothalamus

Autonomic nervous system control center. Controls things like HR, BP, temp, etc.. Communicates with pituitary gland.

pineal gland

secretes melatonin

brain stem function

1. control heartbeat

2.breathing

3.blood pressure

4.coughing

5.reflexes

Midbrain

A small part of the brain above the pons that integrates sensory information and relays it upward. Connects brain to spinal cord

Pons

A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain.

medulla oblongata

Responsible for breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure

brain ventricles

cerebrospinal fluid filled cavities within the brain

Cebrospinal fluid (CSF)

-clear watery substance that bathes and cushions the brain and spinal cord

-stored in the ventricles

choroid plexus

produces CSF

Meninges of the brain

dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater

PNS (peripheral nervous system)

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

afferent neurons

Nerve cells that carry impulses towards the central nervous system

efferent neurons

Nerve cells that conduct impulses away from the central nervous system

autonomic nervous system

controls involuntary actions

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations. Fight or flight

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy. Rest and digest

somatic nervous system

A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Enables voluntary actions to be undertaken due to its control of skeletal muscles

neur/o

nerve

myel/o

spinal cord, bone marrow

anxi/o

fear, worry

Cephal/o

head

Cerebell/o

cerebellum

Cerebr/o

Ce

Contus/o

bruise

crani/o

skull

dur/o

dura mater

Encephal/o

brain

Esthes/o

sensation, feeling

gli/o

glue

hydr/o

water

Hypn/o

to sleep

lamin/o

lamina

Isch/o

to hold back

Medull/o

medulla oblongata

mening/o, meningi/o

meninges

Neur/o

nerve

phas/o

speech

Phob/o

fear

phren/o

mind

Pol/o

extreme

Poli/o

gray matter

Pont/o

pons

psych/o

mind

Radicul/o

nerve root

Schiz/o

split

Somat/o

body

Synaps/o

point of contact, to join

tax/o

coordination, order

tempor/o

temple

Thalam/o

thalamus

thec/o

sheath

Traumat/o

trauma, injury, wound

troph/o

development, nourishment

Ventricul/o

ventricle