13 Central Nervous System & Peripheral Nervous System

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Composed of the brain and spinal cord; integrates, processes, and communicates information.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects the CNS to the rest of the body; includes cranial and spinal nerves.

Autonomic Nervous System

Division of the PNS that communicates with internal organs and glands; controls involuntary functions.

Somatic Nervous System

Division of the PNS that communicates with sense organs and voluntary muscles.

Sympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system; prepares the body for 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system; promotes 'rest and digest' activities.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid that circulates around the brain and spinal cord; provides cushioning and nutrient transport.

Meninges

Three protective membranes (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater) covering the brain and spinal cord.

Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

A selective barrier that prevents certain substances from entering the brain from the blood.

Gray Matter

Composed of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons; located deeper in the spinal cord.

White Matter

Composed primarily of myelinated axons; facilitates communication between different brain regions.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that originate from the brain; involved in sensory and motor functions.

Spinal Nerves

Thirty-one pairs of nerves that arise from the spinal cord; carry sensory and motor information.

Reflex Arc

Neural pathway that mediates a reflex action, typically including a receptor, sensory neuron, integration center, motor neuron, and effector.

Diencephalon

Part of the forebrain, includes thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, and subthalamus.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, balance, and motor learning.

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain, responsible for higher functions like thought, memory, and voluntary movement.

Limbic System

A group of structures involved in emotional processing, memory formation, and olfaction.