Physiology Chapter 5: Nervous System

Sensory Input

Gathered information from the nervous system’s millions of sensory receptors

Integration

The processing and interpretation of sensory input, in which the nervous system decides what should be done at each moment of input

Motor Output

The activation of effector organs— the muscles and glands— as an effect to integration

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The processing and control center of the nervous system that creates output based on information given from the nerves

Central Nervous System (CNS)

This part of the nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The receiving and relaying section of the nervous system that receives signals through its nerves to send to the brain

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

This part of the nervous system is made up of the nerves of the body like pairs of cranial nerves and spinal nerves

Sensory (Afferent) Division

The part of the PNS that works towards the PNS to pick up information about its surroundings to then send it from itself

Motor (Efferent) Divison

The part of the PNS that works away from the PNS to send information given to itself to muscles, glands and organs on what to do

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the Motor (Efferent) Division that conducts action to skeletal muscles, or parts of the body that require active feedback (Manual Movement)

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The part of the Motor (Efferent) Division that conducts action to organs, glands, and other types of muscles and parts of the body that don’t require active feedback (Automatic Processes)

Sympathetic Division

The part of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) that simulates and triggers automatic proccess in the body to account for the stress of an active situation and into simulation (Fight or Flight)

Parasympathetic Division

The part of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) that inhibates and relaxes automatic process in the body to resolve itself from stress and into inhibitation (Feed and Breed)

Neurons

Nerve cells, which are excitable/responding to stimuli and transmit eletrical signals

Neuroglia

Supporting nerve cells, which wrap themselves around or are near neurons. There are four main variations of them

Astrocytes

A CNS neuroglia that clings to neurons and support them both physically with bracing and nutritionally with supply lines. Has a PNS counterpart

Microglia

A CNS neuroglia that protects and aids neurons by clearing it of debris and pathogens

Ependymocytes (Ependymal Cells)

A CNS neuroglia that fills the space inside the brain and spinal cord, producing a spinal fluild to cushion and protect those parts and itself

Oligodendrocytes

A CNS neuroglia that forms myelin sheaths around smaller nerve fibers in the CNS, which allows for faster transmission of signals. Has a PNS counterpart

Satellite Cells

A PNS neuroglia that clings to neurons and support them both physically with bracing and nutritionally with supply lines. Has a CNS counterpart

Schwann Cells

A PNS neuroglia that forms myelin sheaths around thicker nerve fibers in the PNS, which allows for faster transmission of signals. They are also capable of repairing those same fibers. Has a CNS counterpart

Myelin

An electrical insulation that protects and helps fibers transfer signals faster

Dendrites

Listening part of the neuron that receives neighboring information from other cells

Axon

Conducting part of the neuron that sends information to other neighboring cells

Soma

The cell body that holds typical cell content, such as a nucleus, DNA, and filling

Multipolar Neuron

A type of neuron that consists of all parts of a neuron (body, axon, and some dendrites)

Bipolar Neuron

A type of neuron that consists of only an axon and a single large dendrite. Found only in places such as the retina of the eye

Unipolar Neuron

A type of neuron that has a cell body that branches between a large single axon

Frontal Lobe

Quarter of the brain that controls higher-level cognitive functions such as reasoning, decision-making, and language. Controls motor control

Parietal Lobe

Quarter of the brain that controls sensory information processing such as touch, temperature, and pain

Temporal Lobe

Quarter of the brain that controls auditory information processing, language understanding, and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Quarter of the brain that controls visual information processing

Cerebellum

Fifth section of the brain outside of the four quarters that controls voluntary movements, posture, balance, and muscle tone, and motor learning