APN 102 Week 1: Nervous System Notes

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering anatomical terms, physiological functions, reflex mechanisms, and neural structures from the APN 102 Week 1 lecture notes.

Nervous System

A body system responsible for monitoring internal and external stimuli, transmitting information, interpreting information, and maintaining homeostasis; divided into Central and Peripheral systems.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The division containing the brain and spinal cord, responsible for cognitive functions such as problem solving and processing information.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The division consisting of nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord, including 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Afferent Nerves

Sensory nerves of the peripheral nervous system that convey or send action potentials to the Central Nervous System.

Efferent Nerves

Motor nerves that transmit impulses from the Central Nervous System to skeletal muscle to produce body movement.

Parasympathetic Division

The division of the Autonomic Nervous System responsible for the digestion of food.

Synapse

The space or junction located between neurons.

Brachial Plexus

A group of nerves that branches out from the spinal cord to the muscles of the arm and forearm.

Dendrites

The input or receiving part of the neuron.

Axon

A neuron structure featuring a distal portion or tail that branches to form presynaptic terminals.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A physiological barrier that protects neurons from toxic substances present in the blood.

Myelin Sheath

A protective and insulating covering around the axon that is composed mostly of fats (lipids).

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps located along the myelin sheath that insulates and protects the axon.

Meninges

A three-layered membrane protecting the central nervous system, ordered from outermost to innermost as Dura Mater, Arachnoid Mater, and Pia Mater.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A fluid with multiple functions, one of which is cushioning the brain against the skull.

Stretch Reflex

Structurally the simplest reflex, which utilizes muscle spindles as sensory receptors.

Brain Divisions

The four main divisions of the brain: Cerebrum, Diencephalon, Brainstem, and Cerebellum.

Cerebral Lobes

The four lobes of the cerebrum: Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, and Occipital.

Temporal Lobe

A cerebral lobe responsible for hearing and the anatomical site where Wernicke's area is located.

Occipital Lobe

The cerebral lobe responsible for vision.

Diencephalon

A major division of the brain whose two main components are the Thalamus and Hypothalamus.

Hypothalamus

A component of the diencephalon responsible for temperature regulation, sexual development, and autonomic functions.

Brainstem

A brain division comprised of four parts: Medulla, Pons, Midbrain, and reticular formation.

Action Potential

The flow of electricity along an axon of a neuron in one direction.

Wernicke’s Area

A region in the temporal lobe; damage to this area results in the inability to understand language spoken to the person.

Sodium and Potassium

The most important nutritional requirements for the brain.

Nerve Conduction Test

A diagnostic assessment that uses electrical stimuli to evaluate nerves.

Parkinson’s Disease

A degenerative condition of the brain.

Spinal Cord Enlargements

Two distinct expanded regions of the spinal cord where nerves supplying the extremities enter and leave.

Foramen Magnum

The anatomical opening where the spinal cord begins.

Vertebra L2

The anatomical level where the spinal cord terminates.

Epidural Space

The space located between the vertebral wall and Dura mater where anesthesia is injected for childbirth.

Subarachnoid Space

The anatomical space from which CSF is pulled during a spinal tap.

Muscle Spindles

The sensory receptors that operate within the stretch reflex.

Golgi Tendon Organs

Sensory structures whose reflex mechanism prevents excessive tension in a muscle.

Withdraw Reflex

A protective reflex that removes limbs from painful stimuli.

Spinal Nerve Pairs

The 31 pairs of nerves branching from the spinal cord, distributed as 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal.