General Senses and Spinal Cord

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to General Senses and the Spinal Cord.

Spinal Meninges

Three protective layers of connective tissue surrounding the spinal cord: pia mater, arachnoid mater, and dura mater.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear fluid produced by the choroid plexus in the brain, which cushions the spinal cord and brain.

Epidural Space

Space outside the dura mater filled with fat and blood vessels that protects the spinal cord.

Reflex Arc

Pathway comprising sensory receptors, sensory neurons, integration center, motor neurons, and effectors.

Sensation

Activation of sensory receptor cells in response to environmental stimuli.

Perception

Central processing and interpretation of sensory stimuli; dependent on sensation.

General Senses

Somatic senses (like touch) and visceral senses (like hunger) that are distributed throughout the body.

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors sensitive to mechanical pressure or distortion, located in skin, muscles, and blood vessels.

Proprioception

The sense of body position and movement, part of the general senses.

Spina Bifida

A birth defect resulting from incomplete closure of the neural tube, leading to exposure of spinal structures.

Somatic Reflexes

Reflexes that involve skeletal muscles as effectors.

Autonomic Reflexes

Reflexes that involve smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, or glands as effectors.

Dura Mater

The tough outer layer of the meninges protecting the central nervous system.

Arachnoid Mater

The middle layer of the meninges, resembling a spider web.

Pia Mater

The delicate inner layer of the meninges closely adhered to the surface of the brain and spinal cord.

Endoneurium

Connective tissue that covers individual axons in the peripheral nervous system.

Perineurium

Connective tissue that wraps around each nerve fascicle.

Epineurium

The outermost layer of connective tissue that surrounds an entire nerve.