Lesson 08: Organization of the nervous system

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions.

Axon

Long, slender projection of a neuron that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Brain

The organ in the head that coordinates the nervous system and processes sensory information.

Brain Stem

The part of the brain that connects the brain to the spinal cord and is responsible for basic life functions.

Cell Body

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and regulates the cell's functions.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Central Sulcus

A prominent landmark of the brain, separating the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.

Cerebellum

A brain region that plays an important role in motor control and may also be involved in cognitive functions.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in complex brain functions, including perception, thought, and decision-making.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher brain functions, such as thought and action.

Contralateral

Referring to structures located on the opposite side of the body.

Corpus Callosum

A thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that mediates a reflex action.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Diencephalon

A region of the brain that includes structures such as the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Dorsal Root

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

Electrochemical Impulse

The electrical signal that travels along the axon of a neuron.

Forebrain

The anterior part of the brain that includes the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus.

Frontal Lobe

The part of the brain located at the front, responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, and planning.

Ganglia

Clusters of neuron cell bodies located in the peripheral nervous system.

Hindbrain

The part of the brain that includes the medulla, pons, and cerebellum, responsible for basic life functions.

Interneuron

A type of neuron that connects sensory and motor neurons within the central nervous system.

Meninges

Protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Midbrain

The part of the brain that connects the forebrain and hindbrain, involved in vision and hearing.

Monosynaptic

A type of reflex that involves a direct connection between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry signals from the central nervous system to muscles, causing movement.

Motor Pathway

The neural pathway that carries signals from the brain to the muscles.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer that insulates axons and speeds up the transmission of electrical impulses.

Nerve

A bundle of nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system.

Nervous System (NS)

The organ system responsible for coordinating the body's activities through electrical signals.

Neuron

The basic functional unit of the nervous system, responsible for processing and transmitting information.

Neuroglia

Supportive cells in the nervous system that provide insulation, nutrients, and support to neurons.

Node of Ranvier

Small gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate rapid signal conduction in neurons.

Occipital Lobe

The part of the brain located at the back, primarily responsible for visual processing.

Oligodendrocyte

A type of glial cell that produces myelin in the central nervous system.

Optic Tectum

A part of the brain involved in visual processing and reflexive head-turning.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for 'rest and digest' functions.

Parietal Lobe

The part of the brain responsible for processing sensory information from the body.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that lies outside the brain and spinal cord.

Primary Motor Cortex

The area of the cerebral cortex that controls voluntary movement.

Primary Somatic Cortex

The region of the cerebral cortex that processes sensory input from the body.

Reflex Arc

The path taken by signals in a reflex action, typically involving a sensory neuron, motor neuron, and interneuron.

Sensory Neurons

Nerve cells that carry sensory information from the body to the central nervous system.

Sensory Pathway

The neural pathway that transmits sensory information to the brain.

Sensory Receptors

Specialized cells that detect and respond to various types of stimuli.

Schwann Cell

A type of glial cell in the peripheral nervous system that produces myelin.

Simple Reflex Arc

A basic neural pathway involved in simple reflex actions.

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements.

Spinal Cord

A long, thin bundle of nervous tissue that extends down the back and is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and body.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for 'fight or flight' responses.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where information is transmitted from one neuron to another.

Synaptic Terminal

The part of a neuron that releases neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons.

Temporal Lobe

The part of the brain located on the sides, primarily responsible for processing auditory information and memory.