Functional Anatomy of the Nervous System Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the functional anatomy of the nervous system, including brain regions, protection, meninges, and spinal cord structures based on the lecture transcript.

Gray matter

Consists of short, nonmyelinated neurons and cell bodies.

White matter

Consists of myelinated and nonmyelinated axons.

Cortex

The outer layer of gray matter found in the cerebrum and cerebellum.

Meninges

Three layers of connective tissue that cover and protect the CNS, protect blood vessels, enclose venous sinuses, and contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Dura mater

The strongest, most superficial meninx made of two layers of fibrous connective tissue: the periosteal layer and the meningeal layer.

Dural septa

Flat partitions formed by the inward extension of the dura mater that limit excessive movement of the brain, including the falx cerebri, falx cerebelli, and tentorium cerebelli.

Arachnoid mater

The middle meninx layer with spiderweb-like extensions, separated from the dura mater by the subdural space.

Arachnoid granulations

Protrusions that extend through the dura mater into the superior sagittal sinus to permit reabsorption of CSF into venous blood.

Pia mater

The delicate, innermost connective tissue layer that clings tightly to every convolution of the brain and contains many tiny blood vessels.

Ventricles

Fluid-filled chambers continuous with each other and the central canal, lined by ependymal cells and filled with CSF.

Septum pellucidum

The membranous partition that separates the paired lateral ventricles.

Interventricular foramen

The channel through which each lateral ventricle connects to the third ventricle.

Cerebral aqueduct

The channel running through the midbrain that connects the third and fourth ventricles.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A watery solution formed from blood plasma that provides buoyancy, reduces brain weight by $97\%$, protects the CNS from trauma, and nourishes the brain.

Choroid plexus

A cluster of capillaries hanging from the roof of each ventricle, enclosed by pia mater and ependymal cells, which produces CSF.

Hydrocephalus

A condition where an obstruction blocks CSF circulation or drainage, resulting in increased pressure and potential brain damage.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB)

A protective mechanism composed of specialized capillaries with tight junctions, a thick basement membrane, and astrocyte perivascular feet that regulates substance entry into the brain.

Gyri

The ridges found on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres.

Sulci

The shallow grooves found on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres.

Fissures

Deep grooves in the brain, such as the longitudinal fissure and the transverse cerebral fissure.

Cerebral cortex

The "executive suite" of the brain; a thin $2-4\,mm$ superficial layer of gray matter responsible for the conscious mind.

Lateralization

The division of labor and specialization of cortical function between the two cerebral hemispheres.

Cerebral dominance

Refers to the hemisphere that is dominant for language, which is the left hemisphere in $90\%$ of humans.

Association fibers

Horizontal white matter fibers that connect different parts of the same hemisphere.

Commissural fibers

Horizontal white matter fibers, such as the corpus callosum, that connect corresponding gray areas between the two hemispheres.

Projection fibers

Vertical white matter fibers that connect the cerebral hemispheres with the lower brain or spinal cord.

Basal nuclei

Deep gray matter structures within the white matter of the cerebrum, including the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus, which influence muscle movements.

Thalamus

The main relay station for sensory and motor information coming into the cerebral cortex, acting to sort, edit, and relay ascending input.

Hypothalamus

The region of the diencephalon that controls the autonomic nervous system, endocrine system, body temperature, food/water intake, and sleep-wake rhythms.

Epithalamus

The most dorsal portion of the diencephalon which contains the pineal gland.

Pineal gland

A structure in the epithalamus that secretes melatonin to help regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

Brainstem

Consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata; it controls automatic behaviors necessary for survival and is associated with 10 of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves.

Substantia nigra

A midbrain nucleus functionally linked to basal nuclei; its degeneration is associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Medulla oblongata

The portion of the brainstem that serves as an autonomic reflex center for cardiovascular and respiratory functions, and blends into the spinal cord.

Cerebellum

Located dorsal to the pons and medulla, it accounts for $11\%$ of brain mass and processes input to provide precise, coordinated skeletal muscle movements and balance.

Arbor vitae

The distinctive treelike pattern of white matter found within the cerebellar cortex.

Concussion

The most common type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), characterized by temporary loss of consciousness, headache, or confusion.

Ischemia

A condition where tissue is deprived of blood supply, often leading to the death of brain tissue during a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).

Epidural space

The space between the vertebrae and the spinal dura mater containing a cushion of fat and a network of veins.

Dorsal horns

Gray matter areas in the spinal cord consisting of interneurons that receive somatic and visceral sensory input.

Ventral horns

Gray matter areas in the spinal cord containing somatic motor neurons.