Nervous System: Nervous Tissue Anatomy & Physiology

These flashcards cover essential concepts, definitions, and functions related to the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system.

Nervous system

The communication and control system of the body.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of nerves and ganglia outside the CNS.

Sensory function

The function of receptors that detect stimuli and send signals to the CNS.

Motor function

The function where the CNS sends motor output to effectors like muscles or glands.

Afferent nervous system

Also known as the sensory nervous system; it receives sensory information from receptors.

Efferent nervous system

Also known as the motor nervous system; it initiates motor output to effectors.

Neurons

The structural unit of the nervous system responsible for transmitting signals.

Excitability

A characteristic of neurons that allows them to respond to stimuli.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical released from synaptic vesicles in response to electrical signals.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons or between a neuron and an effector.

Glial cells

Non-excitable support cells in the nervous system.

Myelination

The process of wrapping an axon with myelin to increase the speed of signal propagation.

Action potential

A rapid and temporary change in membrane potential that propagates along the axon.

Neurilemma

The outermost layer of the myelin sheath surrounding a nerve fiber in the PNS.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps between adjacent myelinating cells that facilitate the rapid conduction of action potentials.

Resting membrane potential (RMP)

The electrical potential difference across the plasma membrane of a resting neuron.

Graded potentials

Small, temporary changes in membrane potential that vary in size.

EPSP (Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential)

A postsynaptic potential that increases the likelihood of neuron firing.

IPSP (Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential)

A postsynaptic potential that decreases the likelihood of neuron firing.

Refractory period

The period after an action potential during which a neuron cannot fire another action potential.