Anatomy & Physiology Study Guide

Sensor

Receptor enabling response to stimuli in internal or external environment

Sense organs

Facilitate response to changes in environment; categorized as General and Special

Exteroceptors

Located on the outside; cutaneous receptors

Visceroceptors

Located internally; provide information about internal environment

Proprioceptors

Limited to skeletal muscle, joints, tendons; provide body movement info

Mechanoreceptors

Activated by mechanical stimuli like movement and pressure

Chemoreceptors

Activated by smell and taste stimuli; mostly in nose and tongue

Thermoreceptors

Detect hot or cold sensations; mostly on skin

Nociceptors

Responsible for sensing pain

Photoreceptors

Responsible for vision; located in the eye

Osmoreceptors

Responsible for sensing thirst; located in the hypothalamus

Free nerve endings

Widely distributed sensory receptors; primary pain receptors

Tactile sensations

Include touch, stretch, pressure, vibration, itch, tickle, and discriminative touch

Encapsulated nerve endings

Nerve endings enclosed in connective tissue

Tactile corpuscle

Touch and pressure receptor found in hairless skin areas

Lamellar corpuscles

Pressure receptors found in deep dermis and joint capsules

Autonomic receptors

Receptors responding to ACh, NE, alpha, beta, nicotinic, muscarinic

Axillary nerve

Innervates deltoid and teres minor muscles; provides sensation to deltoid area and superior posterior arm

Musculocutaneous nerve

Innervates coracobrachialis, biceps, and brachialis muscles; responsible for elbow flexion

Radial nerve

Innervates triceps brachii and extensor muscles of the forearm; responsible for elbow extension

Median nerve

Innervates flexors of the forearm; provides sensation to the anterior aspect of the hand and forearm

Ulnar nerve

Innervates flexor carpi ulnaris and intrinsic hand muscles; provides sensation to digits 4-5 and anteromedial forearm

Brain stem

Comprises medulla, pons, midbrain; regulates cardiovascular, respiratory functions

Diencephalon

Includes thalamus and hypothalamus; controls ANS, hormone production, emotional regulation

Cerebrum

Largest brain part divided into hemispheres; responsible for logic and creativity

Cerebellum

Second largest brain part; controls skilled movement and posture

Action Potential

Sequence of events for nerve impulse transmission; occurs at high speeds in the nervous system

Reflex Arc

Signal conduction pathway to and from the CNS; involves sensory receptor, sensory neuron, interneuron, motor neuron, and effector

Joint Examples

Various types of joints categorized by movement capabilities and examples of each

Troponin

Protein involved in muscle contraction, interacts with calcium

Tropomyosin

Protein blocking myosin-actin interaction until troponin binds calcium

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Organelle supplying calcium for muscle contraction

Muscle Spindles

Proprioceptors detecting muscle length changes, with Type Ia and II fibers

Golgi Tendon Organs

Proprioceptors activated by excessive contraction to prevent muscle damage

Cranial Nerves

12 pairs controlling sensory and motor functions in the head and neck

Astrocytes

Star-shaped glial cells providing structural support in the CNS

Microglia

Small CNS cells with immune functions, clearing debris

Ependymal Cells

CNS cells lining fluid-filled cavities, circulating cerebrospinal fluid

Oligodendrocytes

CNS cells producing myelin sheath around axons

Schwann Cells

PNS cells forming myelin sheath around axons, aiding in nerve impulse conduction

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter with excitatory action at neuromuscular junctions

Serotonin

Amine neurotransmitter influencing sensory perception, mood, and sleep

Dopamine

Amine neurotransmitter regulating emotional responses and muscle tone

Epinephrine/Norepinephrine

Amines involved in arousal, mood regulation, and autonomic functions

Nitric Oxide

Small molecule causing vasodilation and muscle relaxation

Enkephalins/Endorphins

Neuropeptides with pain-relieving effects in the body

Substance P

Neuropeptide enhancing the body's perception of pain

Cerebrovascular Accident

Stroke resulting from blood flow cessation or hemorrhage in cerebral vessels

Cerebral Palsy

Motor impairment due to brain tissue damage during birth

Dementia

Neurodegenerative diseases leading to neuron destruction

Alzheimer's Disease

Progressive dementia with cortical lesions affecting memory and personality

Huntington's Disease

Inherited disorder causing involuntary movements and severe dementia

Poliomyelitis

Disease destroying motor neurons and causing flaccid paralysis

Otosclerosis

Ear condition with bone hardening in the middle ear

Hyperopia

Farsightedness condition in vision

Myopia

Nearsightedness condition in vision

Cataract

Clouding of the eye's lens affecting vision

Retinal Detachment

Separation of the retina from underlying layers in the eye

Diabetic Retinopathy

Bleeding in retinal vessels due to diabetes

Glaucoma

Increased pressure damaging the optic nerve in the eye