PSYCH110 CHAPTER 1

KEY TERMS 1-3

CNS (central nervous system)

consists of the brain and spinal cord and is responsible for processing and transmitting information throughout the body.

PNS (peripheral nervous system)

includes all the nerves outside the CNS, connecting the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

spinal cord

a major part of the central nervous system that transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

brain

the control center of the central nervous system, responsible for processing sensory information, coordinating movement, and facilitating higher cognitive functions.

ventral

referring to the front or belly side of the body in anatomical terms.

dorsal

relating to the back or posterior side of the body, often used in anatomical terms. It is the opposite of ventral, indicating a position toward the spine.

medial

referring to the middle or center of the body, often used in anatomical descriptions.

lateral

referring to the side of the body, away from the midline. It indicates a position further from the center of the body compared to medial.

superior

referring to a position that is above or higher than another part of the body. It is often used in anatomical terminology to describe locations in relation to the head or upper body.

inferior

referring to a position that is below or lower than another part of the body. It is commonly used in anatomical terminology to describe locations in relation to the feet or lower body.

coronal

relating to a plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.

sagittal

relating to a vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

ipsilateral

referring to structures on the same side of the body.

contralateral

referring to structures on opposite sides of the body.

neuron

A specialized cell that transmits nerve impulses and is the basic building block of the nervous system.

glial cell

A type of cell in the nervous system that supports, protects, and maintains neurons.

axon

The long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.

dendrite

Branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.