Nervous System Week 3

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the major divisions, structures, functions, and cell types of the human nervous system based on the lecture notes.

Nervous system

The body's control and communication system that receives information from the environment and the body, processes it, and sends messages to coordinate responses and regulate functions.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord; it receives and processes sensory information, initiates responses, stores memories, and generates thoughts and emotions.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of motor neurons and sensory neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.

Brain

The body's main control center that interprets sensory input, makes decisions, controls thoughts and emotions, and coordinates voluntary and involuntary movements.

Cerebrum

The part of the brain that controls higher mental functions.

Frontal lobe

Manages complex thinking, planning, problem-solving, personality, and voluntary movement.

Parietal lobe

Processes sensory information like touch, temperature, taste, and spatial awareness.

Temporal lobe

Handles memory, speech, language comprehension, and hearing.

Occipital lobe

Responsible for processing visual information, allowing the recognition of shapes, colors, and faces.

Cerebellum

Responsible for coordination, fine motor skills, posture, and balance.

Brainstem

Handles automatic, involuntary survival functions and includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Midbrain

Controls reflex actions, eye movements, and visual/auditory processing.

Pons

Manages sleep/wake cycles and relays messages between different parts of the brain.

Medulla Oblongata

Regulates vital life functions like breathing, heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure.

Spinal Cord

Acts as the communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body and serves as the reflex center for rapid, automatic responses.

Cervical region

Located in the neck; contains $8$ pairs of segments that control the head, neck, shoulders, and arms.

Thoracic region

Located in the upper/mid-back; contains $12$ pairs of segments that connect to the chest and abdomen.

Lumbar region

Located in the lower back; contains $5$ pairs of segments that control the hips and thighs.

Sacral region

Located just above the tailbone; contains $5$ pairs of segments that control the lower legs, feet, and pelvic organs.

Coccygeal region

Located at the very bottom of the spine; contains $1$ pair of segments supplying a small area of skin near the tailbone.

Gray matter

The brain's "processing center" that handles thinking and decision-making.

White matter

The "cables" that carry messages between different brain regions.

Nerve Cell (Neuron)

The basic unit of the nervous system that receives, processes, and transmits electrical and chemical messages throughout the body.

Dendrites

The receiving antennae of the neuron that pick up signals from other cells.

Cell Body (Soma)

Processes signals, produces proteins, and provides the energy to keep the neuron functioning.

Axon

Carries electrical impulses away from the cell body to other cells.

Axon Terminals

Releases neurotransmitters to pass the signal to the next neuron or target cell.

Sensory (Afferent) Neurons

Carry signals from the body's sensory receptors (eyes, skin, organs) to the central nervous system (CNS).

Motor (Efferent) Neurons

Carry signals away from the CNS to control muscles, organs, and glands.

Interneurons

Found exclusively within the CNS, these connect sensory and motor neurons to process information and make decisions.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary responses.

Sympathetic Division

Associated with the "Fight or Flight" response.

Parasympathetic Division

Associated with the "Rest or Digest" state.